Introduction

In a previous post, I talked about my time in healthtech. Over the years, that experience has also led me to read a lot of books about the U.S. healthcare system.

In this post, I want to share a few recommendations for anyone looking to expand their bookshelf.

I considered just posting a simple list, but that felt lazy. Instead, I’ve added some thoughts on why each book stood out to me. Feel free to skip through if you just want the titles – I’ve put them at the top of each section for your convenience (one of my pet peeves on recommendation blogs is needing to read someone’s entire life story before getting to the actual point, so I’ve tried to avoid doing something like that here).

Note: These books are not listed in any particular order.

America’s Bitter Pill

Full Title: America’s Bitter Pill: Money, Politics, Backroom Deals, and the Fight to Fix Our Broken Healthcare System

Author: Steven Brill

Discussion

This book digs into the Affordable Care Act (ACA) – or “Obamacare” – and examines how it was crafted, implemented, and how it has played out since. Steven Brill, a lawyer and journalist, does a great job breaking down the backroom deals, political struggles, and lobbying efforts that shaped the law.

One thing I found fascinating was how some of the same entities railing against the ACA were involved in writing it (including the parts they now complain about). Brill also dives into the broader impact of the law on the industry and, ultimately, on people like you and me.

The Price We Pay

Full Title: The Price We Pay: What Broke American Health Care – and How to Fix It

Author: Marty Makary, MD

Discussion

This book takes a hard look at what’s wrong with American healthcare and why costs are so out of control. Dr. Marty Makary, a surgeon and public health researcher, focuses on issues like price-gouging, opaque billing, and unnecessary procedures. He doesn’t just criticize – he also explores how these practices hurt patients and what can be done to fix them.

What stood out to me were the real-life stories woven throughout the book. It’s not just about policy; it’s about people and the impact these issues have on their lives. Makary also highlights efforts to improve transparency and return healthcare to its core mission: helping patients.

The American Health Care Paradox

Full Title: The American Health Care Paradox: Why Spending More Is Getting Us Less

Authors: Elizabeth H. Bradley and Lauren A. Taylor

Discussion

This book tackles a big question: why does the U.S. spend more on healthcare than most other countries but still see worse outcomes? Bradley and Taylor argue that part of the answer lies in how little we invest in social services like housing, education, and nutrition, which are critical to overall health.

One key point they make is how the U.S. separates healthcare and social services, while other countries integrate the two. They use examples from places like Sweden and Denmark to show how combining these efforts can lead to better results and lower costs.

An American Sickness

Full Title: An American Sickness: How Healthcare Became Big Business and How You Can Take It Back

Author: Elisabeth Rosenthal

Discussion

Shout out to Jack for recommending this book to me years ago!

This book dives into how U.S. healthcare evolved into a profit-driven industry. Elisabeth Rosenthal, a physician and journalist, explains how financial incentives have shaped every part of the system – from hospitals to insurance companies to pharmaceutical firms – often at the expense of patients.

What sets this book apart is how Rosenthal combines real-world examples with practical advice. She doesn’t just lay out the problems; she also offers strategies for navigating the system as a consumer and ideas for creating a more patient-focused approach.

The Healing of America

Full Title: The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care

Author: T. R. Reid

Discussion

This book explores how other countries manage healthcare and what the U.S. might learn from them. T. R. Reid travels to countries like France, Germany, Japan, the U.K., and Canada to understand their systems and compare them to ours. He also discusses systems in other nations he studied but didn’t visit as part of the research for this book.

Reid does a great job breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. While the book highlights areas where the U.S. could improve, it focuses on practical comparisons rather than ideology. It’s a thoughtful look at what works elsewhere and how those ideas might apply here.

Closing Thoughts

There are plenty of other books out there, but these five are the ones that have stuck with me. There’s a lot about our healthcare system that’s fundamentally broken, but many of us struggle to pinpoint exactly what those issues are. I often see blame placed in one specific area depending on who I’m talking to – like regulation, or the insurance industry – but the reality is much more complicated.

The discussions across these books cover a lot of ground and provide a broader understanding of the system’s challenges. I think they leave the reader better equipped to engage in conversations about healthcare in the US and, hopefully, inspire some creative solutions.

Happy reading ✌️