The Heart of Power: Health and Politics in the Oval Office,written by former MIHP director, David Blumenthal, and James A. Morone, professor of political science at Brown University, was published by University of California Press in July 2009.  The authors used newly released White House tapes, extensive interviews with White House staff, and archival materials that have only recently appeared to explore how the personal experiences of presidents affect their policies and positions relating to health care.  As Blumenthal and Morone note, even the most powerful men in the world have gotten sick, buried loved ones, drunk too much alcohol or taken dangerous drugs, contemplated suicide, and worried about ailing parents – just as do all the citizens they have sworn to serve.  With rich stories and insights about all presidents from Franklin D. Roosevelt through George W. Bush, the book offers lessons with resonance for today’s vigorous debate about fundamental health care reform.