Broken, Bankrupt, and Dying: How to Solve the Great American Healthcare Rip-off

by Brad Spellberg

As Americans, we spend trillions of dollars more on healthcare than anyone else in the world, yet we have shorter lifespans. Patients are crushed by medical debt, sometimes forced to choose between paying for medications, rent, or food. Healthcare workers are burned out from being trapped in a broken system—one that has been the greatest rip-off of the American people this century. In Broken, Bankrupt, and Dying, Dr. Brad Spellberg tells the story of this tragic failure of American healthcare, from excess deaths to maddening inefficiencies, crushing costs to medical bankruptcies, and bizarre billing practices to absurd waste (learn what a “Johnson rod” is and how it affects your health).Dr. Spellberg presents a real-world solution for a better future that differs from the healthcare proposals discussed in the media. Most importantly, he shows us how we can do better—for our families, our businesses, and our society as a whole.

Genres: Nonfiction, Medicine, Politics

326 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2020

Reviews

[Edward Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, readable review of our health care system and its shortcomings with a reasonable path forward. One concern is that the author repeats the important fallacy that those who become ill and require care are the "unlucky" few. In fact, sooner or later everyone becomes sick and eventually sick enough to die. The health care system is not for the unlucky few, it is for all of us and we all will need to access healthcare at some point in our lives. It is in all our interests to have a system in place that will not bankrupt us. In country after country a single payer government backed system has proven more efficient and more effective in delivering better health outcomes by reducing administrative overhead, ensuring universal access, emphasizing preventative care, negotiating reasonable pharmaceutical prices and limiting profit incentives. Although I strongly support a single payer system I think the change needs to happen gradually over a period of a few years because this type of drastic change will displace a large number of administrative workers, greatly alter the insurance industry and generate strong resistance from healthcare profiteers.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding display of research

For starters, I want to stress to anyone interested in this book that you put any political and or social bias aside. Doc Spellberg has done a tremendous job outlining the has been, what if and could be about keeping or changing the state of Healthcare in the US. I would venture to say that his wealth of knowledge in the area has made the writing of this book fairly easy. That being said, one has to wonder if the plain outright knowledge of, this works and that doesn't, is enough!?

As he stated in the book, "It will take a political and social/cultural change to make something work", begs the question....is it that that will make it work.

When you look at all 11 nations compared, Doc Spellberg preferred the Australian version the most. However, it was stated that the Australian Healthcare version, in his opinion, is doomed to fail.

All things considered, I chose a 4 star because the information and its presentation is excellent.

[Rob Pruden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for all Americans as it very simply presents the facts exposing that our healthcare system is ripping us off and we don't have to take it any longer. By comparing it with our peer nations the argument is irrefutable and compelling. The author needs to get funding and travel the country presenting his case and in no time we can change the culture. and give us an affordable system that extends our lives instead of killing us early.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great and balanced review current status of the American healthcare system.