Reid is a foreign correspondent for The Washington Post and the author of the book. He uses his need for shoulder treatment as the impetus for learning more about the world’s health care systems. Reid injured his shoulder while in the US Navy and received surgery on it in 1972. During the surgery, his joint was screwed back into place. However, over the years, the screw became loose, causing persistent, but not severe, shoulder pain. Reid is married with children and has worked as bureau chief for the newspaper’s London and Tokyo offices.

White was a 32-year-old woman who received a diagnosis for systemic lupus erythematosus—a disease that is treatable, if one receives consistent health care. White made too much money to receive Medicaid, the form of health care provided to American citizens on welfare, and yet was too poor to pay for health insurance, as well as the doctors and medications that she needed to stay alive. Reid uses White’s case to illustrate how the American health care system is too inept to cure treatable diseases. He also uses White’s case to address the fundamental ethical problem confronting the American public regarding health care: Should the US health care system provide treatment to everyone regardless of income?