An expert overview of America’s dysfunctional health care system and good ideas for fixing it. Since the Covid-19 pandemic started, the U.S. has suffered the most deaths of any nation, with a far higher percentage among the elderly, racial minorities, and the poor. In a passionate but lucid, fact-based polemic, Nash, a professor of health policy, and journalist Wohlforth point out the primary cause of this dire situation: a wildly expensive, technology-obsessed, fee-for-service system that emphasizes treating disease over prevention, public health, and addressing the socio-economic determinants of health.... Nash and Wohlforth deliver an intelligent prescription for reform; thankfully, many of its features are already in progress. Convincing advice for reform that should persuade the persuadable.

Kirkus Reviews

Global pandemics are always disruptive, but also represent wonderful opportunity to learn by taking advantage of the crisis invoked. The authors have delivered an excellent analysis on how the current pandemic created several learning opportunities because of the multitude of failures within the US healthcare system that became widely evident. This analysis of a broken, multi-level system is profoundly insightful and worth the read all by itself. However, the authors take it a step further by also providing a series of superb recommendations on how best to move the current US healthcare system forward to an improved future state for the betterment of the American population. All who are interested in learning more on how to significantly improve American healthcare should read this well-crafted and highly articulate treatise.

Peter Angood, MD, President & CEO, American Association for Physician Leadership

An insightful read highlighting the healthcare system’s challenges, along with smart and thoughtful solutions for a better path forward. A great guide for anyone interested in understanding the inner workings of the system and desiring to make it better for future generations.

Bruce D. Broussard, President & CEO, Humana Inc.

Covid-19 shined a bright light on the American healthcare system. On one hand, it spotlighted the heroism and dedication of the doctors and nurses who provide the medical care. On the other hand, it exposed the failures on the national stage of the elected officials and governmental agencies who had the power and responsibility to lead and a medical culture that allowed the errors to be ignored. This expose tells all of these stories and illuminates a path to address the problems without losing what is most valuable in medical practice. It is a must read for anyone fearful about the next pandemic that is waiting to happen

Dr. Robert Pearl, Former CEO the Permanente Medical Group and Author of "Uncaring: How the Culture of Medicine Kills Doctors and Patients"

This book does an unparalleled job of explaining what went wrong as it relates to COVID and healthcare delivery. It will take dedication to the principles of responsible innovation to ensure we do not repeat the same mistakes

Hemant Taneja, Managing Partner General Catalyst

The Covid-19 pandemic exposed breathtaking flaws in the U.S. healthcare system, flaws that contributed to the deaths of over one million Americans. But the tragedy also catalyzed innovations and fresh approaches. In this timely book, Nash and Wohlforth offer a clear-eyed vision of how Covid helped point the way toward vital reforms in the healthcare system. Following their advice will help us create a higher performing system – and leave us far better prepared for the next pandemic threat.

Robert M. Wachter, MD, chair, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, and author, New York Times-bestseller “The Digital Doctor”