It is a heartbreaking reality when patients are denied medical care, especially when facing a life-threatening illness such as cancer. Barbara Quarrell’s experience at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico, serves as a stark example of this injustice. Despite being a nurse who had cared for patients at the same facility for years, she was turned away due to insurance issues. This is just one instance of many, as NBC News uncovered the stories of 9 patients who were either denied care or forced to pay upfront. The transition of Memorial from a nonprofit community hospital to a for-profit entity under private equity-backed Lifepoint Health has underscored a disturbing trend in the healthcare industry.
The Rise of DIY Medical Tests
The rise of do-it-yourself (DIY) medical testing presents both opportunities and risks for patients across the U.S. Silicon Valley start-ups are capitalizing on this trend by offering a wide range of tests for various conditions, from menopause and food sensitivity to sexually transmitted diseases. The convenience of home testing has become increasingly appealing, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, physicians have raised concerns about the potential for misdiagnosis and delayed medical care that may result from relying solely on DIY tests. The FDA has taken steps to regulate lab-developed tests, but businesses continue to promote their products, sometimes through questionable means such as social media influencers.
Questionable Practices by Opioid Makers
The revelations from the internal documents of opioid maker Mallinckrodt paint a disturbing picture of how pharmaceutical companies seek to influence medical professionals and the field of medicine itself. The tactics outlined in the documents, including shaping medical language, designing CME courses, and recruiting influential physicians, demonstrate a calculated effort to increase sales at the expense of patient well-being. The use of key opinion leaders and the launch of a CME program focused on opioids highlight the extent to which corporations will go to push their products. This manipulation of medical science, known as ghost management of medicine, raises serious ethical concerns and underscores the need for greater transparency and oversight in the healthcare industry.
The investigative reporting on healthcare issues sheds light on systemic problems that require urgent attention and reform. From patients being denied care to the proliferation of DIY medical tests and the unethical practices of pharmaceutical companies, there are clear indications that the current healthcare system is failing to prioritize patient safety and well-being. It is crucial for stakeholders at all levels, including policymakers, healthcare providers, and the public, to work together to address these injustices and ensure that equitable and ethical healthcare practices are upheld.