Everything Doctor's & Hospitals are Afraid to Tell You: FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary on How to Negotiate Your Medical Bills, Advocate For Yourself & Restore U.S. Healthcare
Dr. Marty Makary, a surgeon and health policy professor at Johns Hopkins, shines a light on the flaws in the American healthcare system. He reveals that a staggering 11% of surgeries are unnecessary, driven by hidden costs and surprise billing practices. The discussion unveils the need for reforms and greater pricing transparency. Makary also emphasizes the importance of personal advocacy, the role of nutrition in health, and calls for a reimagining of medical education that focuses on empathy and real-world skills.
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insights INSIGHT
Widespread Unnecessary Medical Care
Nearly 11% of surgeries and 21% of all medical care might be unnecessary, driven by competitive referral culture and patient demand.
This wasteful care significantly contributes to the high costs and risks in U.S. healthcare.
insights INSIGHT
True Price Transparency Needed
True price transparency is key, not just sticker prices that confuse consumers. Employers act as proxy shoppers to keep healthcare prices in check.
Revealing negotiated prices would enable real competition and better choices for patients and employers.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Negotiate Your Medical Bills
Always negotiate your hospital bills; almost every bill is negotiable before or after payment. Discounts of up to 90% have been achieved by persistent negotiation.
Many billing staff are embarrassed by inflated prices and willing to reduce charges.
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A Note from James:
Marty Makary is the new head of the FDA, but he is also an old friend of the podcast. He's been on several times, and it's really important to know how this is going to be a new and different FDA, and it's going to be molded by Marty's very specific opinions about healthcare and the medical industry—and here they are.
Episode Description:
In this episode, James reconnects with Dr. Marty Makary, now heading the FDA, to discuss what’s broken in the American healthcare system—and what can actually be done about it. Marty pulls back the curtain on the realities of medical pricing, why unnecessary surgeries happen more often than most suspect, and how medical education is failing future doctors and patients alike. They explore the origins of Marty’s bestselling books, the TV adaptation of Unaccountable, and why your hospital bill may have little to do with actual care. This conversation is a rare window into what’s really happening inside hospitals and policy rooms—and what the future of smarter, more humane healthcare could look like.
What You’ll Learn:
Why 11% of surgeries and 21% of all medical care may be unnecessary—and what’s driving that trend.
How hidden costs, out-of-network billing, and surprise charges are crippling Americans financially.
What reforms are gaining traction in Congress and why hospitals may be resisting them.
How nutrition, inflammation, and simple wellness practices are overlooked in modern medicine.
What questions you should ask your doctor to avoid inappropriate or excessive care.
Timestamped Chapters:
[00:00] Introduction to Marty Makary and the New FDA
[01:17] From Book to TV Show: The Journey of Unaccountable
[03:42] The Price We Pay: Unveiling Healthcare Costs
[09:06] Medical Education and Its Flaws
[15:01] The Hidden Costs of Healthcare
[34:52] Inappropriate Care and Its Consequences
[43:14] The Referral Business in Medicine
[44:00] Unnecessary Surgeries: A National Concern
[44:48] Malpractice Fears and Their Impact
[47:33] The Overuse of Antibiotics
[50:28] Inappropriate Medical Care: Real-Life Examples
[53:45] The Role of Nutrition and Wellness in Healthcare
[58:15] Innovative Medical Education and Training
[01:00:36] The Importance of Experience in Medical Practice
[01:18:32] The Future of Healthcare: Inflammation and Biome Health
[01:20:53] Final Thoughts and Practical Health Tips
The James Altucher Show 
