Kapow! Comic Book Illustrates Health Care Reform

30:47

December 19, 2011

Above, an illustration from author Jonathon Gruber's graphic novel "Health Care Reform. What It Is. Why It's Necessary. How It Works." (Courtesy: Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

Riddle me this, what's the latest tale of daring-do to hit the comic book stands? Here's a hint: it doesn't feature masked avengers, or include earnest sidekicks. There are no costumes, nor secret lairs. But the hero in this story does have an alter ego. Or at least, an alias.

What is it, you ask? Holy 1,900-page-legislation! It's the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare.

That's right, the latest graphic novel to hit book store shelves tells the story of the Affordable Care Act, and it's titled "Health Care Reform. What It Is. Why It's Necessary. How It Works." And it's author isn't your typical comic book geek. No, author Jonathan Gruber is a geek of a different order: He is a health care economist.

Gruber was one of the architects of Massachusetts's groundbreaking health care reform law and an advisor to President Barack Obama on the 2010 Affordable Care Act. He's also an economics professor at MIT, and the director of the health care program at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Gruber will join Radio Boston in the studio to discuss the book.

Guest:

Jonathan Gruber, professor of economics at MIT and director of the health care program at the National Bureau of Economic Research

More:

Commonhealth: A Sneak Peek At 'Health Reform: A Comic Book'

This program aired on December 19, 2011.