David Goldhill

Liked the book pretty well. Author has some good ways of explaining healthcare system problems and I think his suggested solutions make sense. I wish he had not used some metaphors so frequently - he refers to US healthcare as an "island" meaning that it operates very differently than other parts of life in the US. OK that's a fine metaphor, but then he relentlessly uses the term "island" throughout the book to refer to US healthcare, which irritated me. But I liked the book anyway, and would recommend it to anyone who thinks the healthcare system still needs some major fixing, even post-Obamacare.… (mer)

This is a great book for those of us not in the medical or economic fields. We think we know the problems with health care? No way. Everybody should read this. The system is crazy. We spend over $8K per capita per year on health care, yet our quality of life indicators rank among the lowest of all developed nations. That's DEVELOPED nations. Why? Because the entire system is flawed and instead of throwing it out and starting over, we keep trying to fix flaws with ever-more flawed policies. It's like trying to fix your plumbing with duct tape. And every "fix" brings with it ever-more creative ways that physicians, hospitals, and drug companies can bill for unnecessary and even harmful tests or procedures.

And what are we paying for? How much are we paying? Why? And by the way, when did we stop being the customer? Why am I paying for someone's penis pump? Or a test for prostrate cancer on someone who would die of other causes before untreated prostate cancer would kill him. Why are we paying for blood to be taken from a dying man - whose cause of death is already known? If the hospital wants his blood or his cells, let them pay for it, not Medicare. Not us. Where else can a business make a catastrophic mistake - like killing your loved one - then collect all the costs, resulting from THEIR mistake, from Medicare. Politicians keep talking about how cheap Medicare is to administer. Administrative costs are low BECAUSE THEY SAY YES TO EVERYTHING!! Their review process is virtually non-existent.

I am unsure, however, if his solution is ideal in this country where so many Americans have a sense of entitlement. What? Pay for our own healthcare? Be responsible for illnesses that are caused by our lifestyle CHOICES? Not when those of us who make better choices are around to cover their proverbial butts.… (mer)