The Theory of Irv by Greg Vigdor

What matters more than your health? And the health care system that is supposed to keep you healthy or fix your medical care problems? Very little.

Imagine learning more about this major social issue- and its problems- through an entertaining public health detective mystery story. A compelling tale that begins with the threat of a pandemic and moves on to something far more sinister.

The Theory of Irv provides a suspenseful journey through not just the storyline of the book’s plot, but an overview of American health policy. How it came to be a hundred years ago. How it has adapted in the last several decades. Perhaps more importantly, how we can fix it so we can have better health and health care for all Americans into the future.

Learn about the defects in the American health care system that create problems for the people that rely on it, like you. Many believe it to be broken, in need of fundamental repair. Meanwhile, solutions offered up to this have become a political football game, rife with politics and divisive ideology, none of which seem to make things better.

Our heroes must confront a myriad of obstacles and threats to solve the fictitious tale. Along the way, they must also deal with America’s broken health care system and the defenders of its status quo, and they try to resolve this too.

The Theory of Irv also tells part of the story of the not-for-profit Washington Health Foundation. Formed in 1992, WHF (washhealthfoundation.org) has worked to improve health and health care, including major health reform. With this book, it announces its intent to make another run at this proposition. Proceeds from the sale of this book will go to WHF, with the hope that the resolution of the fictional story of Irv can finally become reality.