"Dr. Fisher thoroughly examines the patchwork that has become the terribly inefficient U.S. healthcare system--more than just the warts and all. This thoughtful examination backed with the facts should serve as a primer to the medical community, patients and families, and to legislators to fully examine their role and responsibility to correct the course we're on. It may be too late..." -- U.S. Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI) "It is generally agreed that there are significant problems in the equitable delivery and cost effective financing of healthcare for all our citizens. The usual American way to solve problems is to offer simple solutions without having an in-depth understanding of all the issues and parameters causing the problems. Dr. Ken Fisher in his book In Defiance of Death clearly delineates the intricacies of the problems involved in caring for elderly and terminal patients. Then, using his extensive knowledge and experience he offers a series of solutions based on the etiologies of these problems. It is an excellent book, which was instructive to this reader." -- Dr. Tom Johnson, Professor of Internal Medicine Emeritus, Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, and former Dean of the University of North Dakota School of Medicine "Our present healthcare system is not meeting our needs and is just too expensive. Dr. Fisher explains the problems and offers thoughtful solutions." -- Tom George, M.D., Michigan State Senator "Not only is this book shocking in its depiction of the often -heartless care of the dying, it responds to the current overuse of unnecessary procedures and treatments that is costing our country billions in wasted dollars every year. And that's just end-of-life care. Dr. Fisher's proposals for reform are realistic and straightforward; and being invitational, they invite both dialogue and systemic changes in every aspect of healthcare." -- The Reverend Jean A. Miller, Formerly Church Minister of Pastoral Care, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, Michigan

Death is a natural part of life. But it has become a painful, protracted, humiliating process that is often inappropriate for the healthcare patient, puts an undue financial and emotional burden on the family, and provides a model of improper care for physicians in training. And it's expensive—about 22 percent of all medical expenditures are for people in the last year of their lives. Further, while studies show that 90 percent of all people would prefer to die at home surrounded by family and friends, the reality is that more than 70 percent die in institutions. As Dr. Ken Fisher argues so passionately in this book, it's time for a change.

End-of-life care in the U.S. has evolved over the years into a nightmare for patients and family members, and it has created a near-crushing financial burden on the medical system that is not just excessive but unsustainable. It has driven the cost of healthcare out of reach for many people, and it is a large factor in preventing the creation of universal coverage. In Defiance of Death reviews the current state of end-of-life care and highlights its many problems from a variety of economic, political, and social perspectives. Fisher and Rockwell illuminate the ethical dilemmas we all face as technology allows us to prolong life—but at a huge human and financial cost. This book documents these problems and provides a historical perspective of how our medical system evolved. It argues that America's defiance of death is far too costly and recommend that all stakeholders—including the public, medical community, Congress, and business leaders—join together to create a system that improves end-of-life care for everyone involved. This book, with workable solutions to improve our medical system, helps point the way.