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sleepy_sarahmarie's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting read about how for-profit dialysis centers have come to be one of the most prolific healthcare problems nationwide, as profits are put before patient care, causing needless harm and even death to many patients. It wasn't terribly long, which I appreciated.
hollyloughton's review
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Feels a bit wrong to say I enjoyed this book, given the very serious subject matter it covers, but I definitely found it interesting and informative.
danivoke's review against another edition
3.0
Important information. Somewhat repetitive. Somewhat dense. Mostly sad.
melissarochelle's review against another edition
4.0
I found this to be a thorough investigation into for-profit treatment. The medical industry is so driven by profits that patients are often forgotten. It can often feel like no one is in it for patient care anymore, it's all about making the most money. The book offers history into how dialysis came to be, documents accounts of patient harm, shares public information from testimony before Congress from the companies and patients, and much more.
bren_09's review against another edition
5.0
There are many stories out there about the problems in for-profit healthcare. In this book Tom Mueller focuses on the issues that arise when there are just two main companies that dominate the dialysis industry, primarily DaVita and Fresenius. In the search for more profit, Mueller documents the shortcuts that these companies take, essentially shorter dialysis times and more rapid input of dialysate and the unfortunate use of a parameter such as Kt/V. Additionally, home dialysis was generally not encouraged. He liberally documents those who are harmed not only by these policies, but also those who are blackballed using unsavory techniques since many are on government programs that pay for this. Those who can afford the more expensive insurance receive better care, essentially a rationing of dialysis services.
This is an eye opener expose of the effects of kidney treatments by the profit sector.
This is an eye opener expose of the effects of kidney treatments by the profit sector.
logancoxx's review against another edition
challenging
informative
sad
medium-paced
3.75
It took me a little while to get into this book - for the first 50% it was like I was reading but was I digesting what I was hearing??? sorta thing but throughout the whole book I was so disheartened by this reality of our healthcare. I do feel I have come out knowing more about dialysis.
A few key takeaways:
1. This reality is so infuriating and saddening.
2. Greed has NO PLACE in healthcare.
3. The American healthcare system has totally lost the plot.
4. It should be illegal for non-hospital employees (ie. Drug or pharma sellers) to be in the rooms of patients.
Thoughts while reading:
25% It’s so crazy that this is still a question: is healthcare a fundamental right versus something that should be monetized.
30% it’s really interesting to think of the moral implications of medicine, transplants, or a program like dialysis - should they be able to stop their own treatment - if so, would it be considered suicide?
37% it’s interesting to learn that dialysis had such an impact on the way our entire US healthcare system - it was the starting point for for profit care
38% I feel so smart listening to this lol ~am I better than everyone??~
44% I will say this book is hard to get stuck into - like it’s easy to go in and out and it feels like you haven’t missed anything? Idk I feel like I’m reading this but am I really taking it in???
All in all this book is a glaring reminder that greed has no place in the world of healthcare.
48% “yes, they’re keeping them alive but at what cost to their quality of life?”
57% so many of their “debates” seem so common sense - do this thing that is better for the patience or do this thing that cost more money and is worse for the patience??? Hmmmm
I feel like I hadn’t really gotten into this book until now - 60% of the way in
72% - comparing Devita to Animal Farm - wow rough
72% corporate America is the woat. GREEDDDDDD
74% the casualness in which BILLIONS of dollars is discussed in relation to payouts is crazy crazy
A few key takeaways:
1. This reality is so infuriating and saddening.
2. Greed has NO PLACE in healthcare.
3. The American healthcare system has totally lost the plot.
4. It should be illegal for non-hospital employees (ie. Drug or pharma sellers) to be in the rooms of patients.
Thoughts while reading:
25% It’s so crazy that this is still a question: is healthcare a fundamental right versus something that should be monetized.
30% it’s really interesting to think of the moral implications of medicine, transplants, or a program like dialysis - should they be able to stop their own treatment - if so, would it be considered suicide?
37% it’s interesting to learn that dialysis had such an impact on the way our entire US healthcare system - it was the starting point for for profit care
38% I feel so smart listening to this lol ~am I better than everyone??~
44% I will say this book is hard to get stuck into - like it’s easy to go in and out and it feels like you haven’t missed anything? Idk I feel like I’m reading this but am I really taking it in???
All in all this book is a glaring reminder that greed has no place in the world of healthcare.
48% “yes, they’re keeping them alive but at what cost to their quality of life?”
57% so many of their “debates” seem so common sense - do this thing that is better for the patience or do this thing that cost more money and is worse for the patience??? Hmmmm
I feel like I hadn’t really gotten into this book until now - 60% of the way in
72% - comparing Devita to Animal Farm - wow rough
72% corporate America is the woat. GREEDDDDDD
74% the casualness in which BILLIONS of dollars is discussed in relation to payouts is crazy crazy
amandarose529's review against another edition
informative
3.0
informative on the corruption in the american healthcare system & for-profit medicine. found it very repetitive though felt like it could’ve been half as long
christie_esau's review against another edition
informative
sad
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Infidelity, Medical content, and Medical trauma