America’s broken system in “Health Care Meltdown”

Bob Lebow exposes America’s broken system in “Health Care Meltdown”

Belle Carter

In a nation that spends more on healthcare per capita than any other developed country, millions of Americans still face financial ruin, delayed treatments and outright denial of care. Why does the U.S. lag in life expectancy and infant mortality while drowning in medical debt? Who benefits from a system that prioritizes profits over patients?

These are the urgent questions physician and healthcare advocate Dr. Bob Lebow confronts in his groundbreaking book, "Health Care Meltdown: Confronting the Myths and Fixing Our Failing System." Published amid rising public frustration, Lebow's work dismantles the myths perpetuated by insurers, lobbyists and politicians while offering a roadmap toward equitable reform.

The U.S. healthcare system is a paradox: It excels in advanced medical technology yet fails to deliver basic care to vast segments of its population. Despite spending nearly $4.3 trillion annually – roughly 17 percent of GDP – Americans experience worse health outcomes than peers in nations with universal systems. Lebow highlights startling statistics:

• Infant mortality rates in the U.S. exceed those of Canada, the U.K. and Japan.
• Medical debt is the second-leading cause of personal bankruptcy.
• Forty-five percent of insured adults avoid care due to costs, risking preventable complications.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the U.S. has a rate of 6.9 deaths per 1,000 births, compared to Canada's 5.3, the U.K.'s 4.2 and Japan's 2.1. This disparity is significant and highlights the need for a critical examination of the factors contributing to this trend, particularly in light of the financial incentives that drive medical practices in the United States.

At the heart of Lebow's critique is the insurance industry's "cherry-picking" business model, which maximizes profits by enrolling healthy patients while avoiding the sick. "Insurers aren't in the business of healthcare—they're in the business of risk management," he argues. This practice leaves millions underinsured or priced out entirely, forcing them into emergency rooms for primary care – a costly last resort that strains public resources.

More...