Welcome to Litsy!

Wishing everyone in America well today, and hoping we all remember the important parts of our past and present, even when they‘re ugly ♥️🇺🇸

A must read for anyone who has to navigate the US healthcare system. While it‘s not especially surprising that the pursuit of profit by hospitals and pharmaceutical companies has not resulted in better, cheaper care for patients, it‘s disheartening.

The author lays out a detailed case for how we got here and offers suggestions for making changes, both personal and systemic.

Did I mention that this is a must read?

Well I finally managed to get all the way through this. I kept getting sick with disgust and righteous indignation. Though at times it felt like the whole was less than the sum of its parts, still a necessary and helpful read. I plan to purchase a print copy for all of the practical advice it contains—far too much to remember from a listen.

Our health care industry is truly f-ed up. But, good news — I made yummy tater tot casserole for dinner!

This book is literally making me sick to my stomach. Since I have a chronic disease I‘m scared to death of losing my health. Hence I‘m heading out this morning for a 14-Mile run. Lights on for safety! But I‘m even more scared of being bankrupted by the cost of even a routine hospitalization. We need to fix American health care before it takes us all down!

How the author distilled the problems in the American health care system down to ten economic rules that she continuously refers back to is eye opening... and infuriating.

Eye opening and a little frightening at the same time. Is this biased? Yes, absolutely. Rosenthal js arguing against a system she sees as being unfair to the patients, but she takes care to remind her readers that not all doctors/nurses/medical professionals are out to “get you”. But now I‘m scared of getting sick 😳

Informational look at American health care. I thought it was pretty good, but I do see some reviews that state the author was either biased or Ill-informed. I learned some things to keep an eye out for in the future.

This book is really eye-opening. I already knew that medical costs are high - I didn‘t know how big business takes advantage of people when they are at their most vulnerable. I look forward to the action plan coming up.

Finally, FINALLY got this today from the library. I asked for it about 4 months ago.

This illuminating book reveals facts about the U.S.'s dysfunctional healthcare system that will both enlighten and disturb. It explains how the health care industry has become a big business, lacking concern for patients and medical ethics. Through her investigation of healthcare, the author reveals ways in which the system can be reformed for the better. https://goo.gl/SyAgzB

Super interesting look at the medical insurance industry in the USA. Gross and hard to look Away. Really good at describing a lot of terms I have heard before but not totally gotten.

You are such a peach! 😘 Thanks for another #payitforward #giveaway @Booksandcooks #7777giveaway

This was my last five-star read. Made me angry but gave me hope too. WE have to make the change b/c the healthcare industry surely never will!

Putting my October summary out there. More #nonfiction than fiction again this month. And I used to say, "Oh, I can't read nonfiction!" How times change.

I didn't read a single fiction book in October that truly captivated me. Sigh. Here's hoping for a better, more fictional (?) November.

Concerned about your own health? If you live in the US, it's also the healthcare system that's sick! Rosenthal lays it all out in a readable way. Chronic illness has forced me to become savvy in the last few years, and I still learned a great deal. The various players in the system are in it for profit not patients! You'll both get angry and get smart.

Full review at www.TheBibliophage.com

October round-up

#OctoberStats #October2017

All up to date on my #Nonfiction2017 @Booksandcooks

Medical devices are being used without even being tested for safety or effectiveness. It is criminal! I am so angry. 😡😡

(If you're only seeing this post, I also just posted three others on this topic.)

Yup, that medical device can be "fast tracked" to FDA approval even if the device it is similar to has been HARMFUL or FAILED. This book is teaching me so much, and I thought I was pretty hip to medicine's flaws. ? 3/3

If a medical device maker is producing a device that's almost the same as another, they can "fast track" FDA approval without ever testing it on humans. So if you don't ask, you may later find that you're the 3rd or the 10th person with the device, instead of the 3000th. 2/3

I have a series of screen grabs for you about medical devices. They are far less regulated than pharmaceuticals, and yet are often permanently implanted in patients' bodies. Think hip replacements. And if it goes bad, the patient is on the hook for the removal and replacement. In other words, you still have to meet that deductible even if it's the device manufacturer's fault the hip went bad. 😡😡1/3

Nobody knew, guys. 😐

#NoOneKnows
#Rocktober

Everyone should read this!! I am disgusted but at least feel empowered by this book.

I decided to get the ebook from the library, and it came through surprisingly quickly. It's all @Riveted_Reader_Melissa 's fault! I know this will make me mad, and I doubt I'll finish in the 14 loan period. But maybe I will ... #nonfictionchallenge2017 #ushealthcare #willweeversolvethecrisis

And the book I finished yesterday became even more relevant as some protections were undone today.🙁

If you are lucky every year you‘ll stumble across one or two non-fiction books that are so on topic for the current discussion with both tons of useful and informative examples and lots resources and ideas to move forward. This is the book to read this year! It details, in easy to understand ways, how the US healthcare system has spun so far out of control, as well as some common sense solutions to slowly start nudging it back on track. #MustRead

Another great idea.... as some of the examples in the book show that they buy and stop producing one type (the cheaper version) just to sell a higher priced versions.

That‘s be a great one! If you have an existing, already documented condition, why do we have to tie up the doctor and pay for an appointment every 6 months /year just to have the same medicine re-prescribed!

🙄

Elect or organize to have an appropriate person appointed to the regulatory position (depends on your state if the position is appointed or elected).

And of course get money about of politics, so paying to campaigns does equal appointments and favors.

A few more good points in the end of this great book....sorry if you are tired of seeing them all.

I Can Not emphasize this one enough!!! I worked at a small company for years, and employees often grumbled about their lack of raises, what they never realized was that their base pay did increase, it was all just gobbled up and then some by the increasing healthcare costs. Unfortunately that huge bill is hiding in with payroll expenses divided up over time allowing it to become invisible to those “lucky” enough to have employer based plans.

How to fight out-of-network charges.

Do your own research and know what that procedure should cost.

🤦‍♀️ Over 90%., no wonder they don‘t like providing itemized bills!

Ask questions! Lots of questions!

Wouldn‘t it be great to know what you will be billed before you go! 🤔

😲🤦‍♀️

I made it to the end of Part I and The summary of the first part! 😥

I‘ll save part II for tomorrow and hope there‘s some answers in there!!!

(I have to go read something lighter now...🙄)

In a part about how Politicians, Insurers, Hospitals, etc have and are undermining the ACA “Obamacare” It isn‘t that it isn‘t working, it‘s that they are shifting the burden of payment so they can still get their huge profits in most cases.

...”commissioner as the Affordable Care Act was being enacted and implemented. “In healthcare, entrepreneurship outsmarts regulation every time.””😢

And how they are already circumventing and finding loopholes to make more money in the system.... so sad that it was revolutionary to try and create a system of healthcare for everyone. 🤔🙄

Close the emergency room because it can‘t afford it, but the CEO is being paid What now?!?!

Always pay attention to what a CEO is being paid, both at hospitals and insurance companies for that matter.🤔🤦‍♀️

So consolidate and incorporate, absorbing all the other smaller local hospitals, and then when people have no where else left go raise the rates! 🙄

Here you go @DivaDiane pass it on!

Crowdsourcing funds for a type 1 diabetes trial website information, because no one else will fund her research (they‘ll loss money in the long run if there‘s a cure)

🤔🤦‍♀️😱

And just when you thought it couldn‘t get any worse, everyone hands are in the pie for profit....you find out even the “non-profit‘s” are in it for the MONEY! 😱😱

“The problem is that many charitable foundations no longer see themselves as funders of research is for knowledge propelled by donor dollars to cure a disease, but instead as investors in new treatments. BCG had been used for so many decades in generic form that there was no way to make money selling the drug. “Now they all want equity in the product and a product that will give back,” Dr. Faustman said”

She is now Crowdsourcing the Funding! 😱