The financialization of health care in the US

Summary

The provided text examines the detrimental effects of corporate influence on healthcare in the United States. It details how private equity firms, like Cerberus Capital Management with Steward Health Care, prioritize profit over patient care, leading to declines in quality and accessibility. The article further illustrates how large insurance companies, such as UnitedHealth, incentivize excessive diagnoses and treatments to maximize Medicare reimbursements. This corporate model is contrasted with the traditional medical ethos of prioritizing patient well-being, revealing a system where financial motivations undermine the core values of healthcare. Ultimately, the piece argues that this "Gilded Age of medicine" necessitates systemic reform to protect patients and preserve the integrity of the medical profession.