American consumers who've felt confused navigating their healthcare and healthcare insurance now have a new resource to point them through the morass -- a book that guides them in simple language through the American healthcare system.

"My Healthcare is Killing Me: A Survival Guide for the American Healthcare Consumer" demystifies today's healthcare and healthcare insurance worlds so readers can better traverse the process and begin making smarter healthcare decisions more advantageous to them and their family.

Written by Robert Hendrick, Christopher Parks and Katrina Welty, three authors who share what they know about the American healthcare system, the book simplifies complex issues such as "quality vs. cost," "multiple insurances," "managing your healthcare" and "comparing health plans" in a sometimes tongue-in-cheek ways.

"I initially intended the book to help newly hired employees of our company better understand the healthcare industry and what we do," lead author Robert Hendrick said. "But with more of healthcare's cost being pushed onto consumers' shoulders, we felt these practical tools needed to get into the public's hands to help them deal with their personal healthcare."

The book covers topics including:

* Navigating Insurance Basics
* Directing Your Care
* Choosing a Plan including comparisons between HMOs, PPOs, and Consumer Directed options
* Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE

"We just want to see consumers implement the book's lessons and live a better life," Hendrick said. "More transparency in this industry and consumers taking greater personal control of their healthcare is satisfaction enough."

It's available through Borders, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com, or can be downloaded free at: http://www.myhealthcareiskillingme.com