#916 How Big Pharma Keeps You Sick! - Dark Truth About America's Healthcare with Andy Schoonover
Dec 9, 2024
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Andy Schoonover, founder of Crowd Health, unveils the dark side of America's profit-driven healthcare system. He calls it 'sick care' and discusses how it keeps patients reliant on treatments instead of promoting wellness. The conversation highlights the financial burdens of chronic diseases and the need for systemic change. Schoonover introduces Crowd Health as a community-driven alternative that empowers members to support each other and prioritize healthier lifestyles, advocating for nutritional awareness and innovative healthcare options.
The traditional healthcare system, termed 'sick care', profits from keeping patients dependent on treatments rather than promoting true wellness.
Crowd Health presents a community-based alternative to health insurance, allowing members to contribute to each other's medical expenses and promote healthier lifestyles.
The podcast underscores the critical relationship between dietary habits and chronic diseases like diabetes, advocating for lifestyle changes over reliance on medications.
Deep dives
Perverse Incentives in Healthcare
The healthcare system operates on a flawed incentive structure where both buyers and sellers profit from rising costs. Health plans benefit from higher costs due to increased job security and bonuses associated with managing sickness rather than promoting health. This creates a cycle where those meant to provide care are actually incentivized to keep patients ill, reinforcing a system that profits from ongoing treatment rather than wellness. For instance, a significant portion of healthcare spending is directed towards managing chronic conditions like diabetes, totaling over a trillion dollars annually.
The Flaws of Traditional Sick Care
The podcast emphasizes the shortcomings of conventional healthcare, often referred to as 'sick care,' where the focus is on treating symptoms rather than addressing root causes. Many doctors are pressed for time and unable to provide comprehensive care, leading to a reliance on medications that merely alleviate symptoms. This transactional approach can result in a series of medications rather than genuine healing, entrenching patients in a cycle of ongoing treatment. Consequently, health insurance companies often refuse to cover holistic approaches that might offer more effective long-term solutions.
Rising Prevalence of Diabetes
Diabetes is highlighted as a pressing health crisis, with alarming statistics indicating that one in four dollars spent on healthcare is attributed to diabetes management. The discussion underscores the connection between dietary habits and diabetes, advocating for lifestyle changes that could reverse this trend rather than relying solely on medications like insulin. The host shares insights into how shifting dietary practices can significantly improve health outcomes over time, especially in younger individuals. This perspective is crucial, given the rising rates of pre-diabetes and related conditions among youth.
CrowdHealth: A New Approach to Healthcare
CrowdHealth offers a novel alternative to traditional health insurance by creating a community-based model that allows members to fund each other's medical expenses. By joining this membership, individuals engage in a support system where they can directly contribute to the healthcare costs of fellow members, thus reducing overall expenses. This model is especially appealing to those who practice low-carb or carnivore diets, as it aligns with healthier lifestyle choices and excludes the burden of chronic conditions prevalent in the general population. Furthermore, the structure incentivizes members to prioritize wellness, fostering a culture of giving and support.
Empowering Individuals in Healthcare Decisions
The podcast encourages listeners to take control of their healthcare decisions, suggesting alternatives to conventional employer-based health insurance. Options like going uninsured or joining community health initiatives such as CrowdHealth offer greater freedom and potentially lower costs. Individuals are empowered to negotiate directly with healthcare providers, often resulting in significant savings compared to traditional insurance models. Ultimately, the discussion revolves around shifting the focus from profit-driven healthcare to a model that prioritizes individual wellness and community support.
Today, I am blessed to chat with Andy Schoonover, founder of Crowd Health. We dive into the flaws of the current health care system, which we dub "sick care" due to its profit-driven nature that keeps patients dependent on treatments. Andy shares how Crowd Health offers a community-based alternative, where members support each other financially, promoting healthier lifestyles. We discuss the high costs of medications, the benefits of incentivizing health, and the need for systemic change. This episode encourages listeners to explore empowering health care options that prioritize long-term well-being.
📍 Join Crowd Health: CrowdHealth is a better alternative to health insurance. For more information on how it works visit http://joincrowdhealth.com/carnivore. Use the coupon code VITAMING for a discount on your first three months.
Show Highlights:
Understanding the Problem
The Cost of Chronic Diseases
The Financial Burden
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Solutions
The Flaws of the Current Insurance Model
Limitations and Frustrations
Alternatives to Traditional Health Insurance
Introducing Crowd Health
The Importance of Nutrition
The Role of Diet
The Need for Systemic Change
Advocating for Policy Changes
High Costs of Medications
Disparities in Medication Costs
📍 Join Crowd Health: CrowdHealth is a better alternative to health insurance. For more information on how it works visit http://joincrowdhealth.com/carnivore. Use the coupon code VITAMING for a discount on your first three months.
Resources Mentioned:
CrowdHealth - use code VITAMING for a discount on your first 3 months
