Lost Debate

America’s Sick Healthcare System with Bethany McLean

Dec 7, 2023

Bethany McLean, journalist and contributing editor for Vanity Fair, joins the show to discuss her new book on America's sick healthcare system. They delve into the profit-driven nature of healthcare, the lack of transparency in pricing, and the flaws in the American healthcare system. They also explore topics such as the Enron scandal, the history of US globalization, right-wing populism, and the impact of school closures.

52:50

Episode guests

Bethany McLean

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The pandemic exposed how profit-focused healthcare systems prioritize profitability over patient care, resulting in the closure of hospitals serving vulnerable populations.

Neglect and profit-driven approaches in nursing homes have exploited patients and workers, weakening safety nets for the elderly and revealing flaws in societal values.

The reliance on global supply chains for healthcare supplies left the United States ill-prepared for the pandemic, highlighting the need for more resilient domestic production.

Deep dives

The Fragility of the Hospital System

The pandemic revealed the fragility of the hospital system, with a stark divide between well-off hospitals and safety net hospitals. The system favors profitability over patient care, leading to the closure of hospitals that serve vulnerable populations. Private equity firms have exacerbated the problem by acquiring struggling hospitals, burdening them with debt, and prioritizing profits. The pandemic exposed how these cost-cutting measures negatively impacted patient care and resiliency within the healthcare system.

Introduction

3min

The Scandal of Enron: Laws Broken vs. Moral Implications

2min

Structural Issues in the American Healthcare System

14min

Flaws of the Healthcare System in America

18min

Rationale behind Actions and Heroes within Trump Administration

5min

The History of US Globalization

5min

Contrasting Right-Wing Populism and Liberal Democratic Parties

2min

Contentious Issues and Impact of School Closures

4min

Bethany McLean joins Ravi to discuss her new book The Big Fail, a groundbreaking indictment of how greed and lack of leadership left us unprepared for a global pandemic.

Bethany McLean is a journalist and contributing editor for Vanity Fair. She has co-authored multiple bestselling books, including The Smartest Guys in the Room with Peter Elkind and All the Devils Are Here with Joe Nocera.

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