We in the United States have a Medical Industrial Complex, just as we have a Military Industrial Complex. Like its military counterpart, the medical industry is a significant portion of our economy as a whole. It also has many close ties with government, including individuals who have held positions within the industry as well as within government, ... what some people call a 'revolving door' of personnel, and thus influence.
Also, like its military counterpart, the industry seeks to ensure its own survival and growth as a top priority, often neglecting its original mission to help heal the sick and injured, just as the Military Industrial Complex now also prioritizes self preservation.
For example, when we hear that Congress has approved funding for a new fighter plane or tank, but military leaders in the Pentagon claim that such hardware is not needed, then I take this as direct evidence that the arms industry is striving to maintain itself well beyond its intended function.
Likewise, the Medical Industry has held similar influence in government, acting to maintain its size and power well beyond what is actually required for proper medical care of the US population. Current figures place the cost of the medical industry as almost double that of other developed countries, when adjusted for population. Yes, all with about the same (or sometimes worse) outcomes as experienced in those other countries. So, we are not getting better medical services, just more expensive ones.*
This industry is one factor in the record inequality of wealth in the United States today. The way the industry operates, it serves to draw wealth away from the average citizen and concentrate it, more and more, into the hands of the few who are already astoundingly more wealthy than average.
So, why does this situation exist? How did we get to this point? Where do we go from here?
These are the questions we plan to address here, and on the blog page on this site.
* See "Overtreated" by Shannon Brownlee, an excellent summary of my assertions here.
Also, like its military counterpart, the industry seeks to ensure its own survival and growth as a top priority, often neglecting its original mission to help heal the sick and injured, just as the Military Industrial Complex now also prioritizes self preservation.
For example, when we hear that Congress has approved funding for a new fighter plane or tank, but military leaders in the Pentagon claim that such hardware is not needed, then I take this as direct evidence that the arms industry is striving to maintain itself well beyond its intended function.
Likewise, the Medical Industry has held similar influence in government, acting to maintain its size and power well beyond what is actually required for proper medical care of the US population. Current figures place the cost of the medical industry as almost double that of other developed countries, when adjusted for population. Yes, all with about the same (or sometimes worse) outcomes as experienced in those other countries. So, we are not getting better medical services, just more expensive ones.*
This industry is one factor in the record inequality of wealth in the United States today. The way the industry operates, it serves to draw wealth away from the average citizen and concentrate it, more and more, into the hands of the few who are already astoundingly more wealthy than average.
So, why does this situation exist? How did we get to this point? Where do we go from here?
These are the questions we plan to address here, and on the blog page on this site.
* See "Overtreated" by Shannon Brownlee, an excellent summary of my assertions here.