An American doctor summarised America’s healthcare system very succinctly for me: it does not exist to prevent illness, it exists to create and perpetuate illness so that a panoply of industries can get rich by treating the sick. The majority of the diseases afflicting Americans are self-inflicted (p.s. we Brits are almost just as bad). Don’t expect the food industry or politicians to rescue you - the answer lies in no small part in a healthier lifestyle, which is mostly a matter of assuming responsibility for one’s own health.
This piece is a sobering and important read that cuts through the comforting narrative that “healthcare growth” is automatically good news and reframes it as a symptom of a civilization-level health failure. I especially appreciate how it connects rising chronic illness, mental health struggles, and early-onset cancer to structural drivers: food systems, work culture, digital addiction, and environmental toxicity, rather than treating them as isolated data points.
this should accelerate OSCAR's growth... if the others are not able to compete they will leave the most unprofitable areas like we have seen this year with oscars stunning member growth. I still believe UNH will be a pure play on hospitals (only optum) in 2040. OSCAR will dominate ACA and afterwards UNH will loose the group insurance area because many companies will switch to ICHRA and everyone will choose OSCAR
An American doctor summarised America’s healthcare system very succinctly for me: it does not exist to prevent illness, it exists to create and perpetuate illness so that a panoply of industries can get rich by treating the sick. The majority of the diseases afflicting Americans are self-inflicted (p.s. we Brits are almost just as bad). Don’t expect the food industry or politicians to rescue you - the answer lies in no small part in a healthier lifestyle, which is mostly a matter of assuming responsibility for one’s own health.
This piece is a sobering and important read that cuts through the comforting narrative that “healthcare growth” is automatically good news and reframes it as a symptom of a civilization-level health failure. I especially appreciate how it connects rising chronic illness, mental health struggles, and early-onset cancer to structural drivers: food systems, work culture, digital addiction, and environmental toxicity, rather than treating them as isolated data points.
this should accelerate OSCAR's growth... if the others are not able to compete they will leave the most unprofitable areas like we have seen this year with oscars stunning member growth. I still believe UNH will be a pure play on hospitals (only optum) in 2040. OSCAR will dominate ACA and afterwards UNH will loose the group insurance area because many companies will switch to ICHRA and everyone will choose OSCAR
Exactly right! Thanks for sharing this clear and thoughtful perspective.
Couple points:
5 good charts would have halved the word count
Bit of a bait & switch - building up a powerful narrative just to pitch a stock that will profit from the continuation of the narrative…