Why is the U.S. healthcare system so expensive, yet so ineffective? In this episode of Unstable Vitals, Dr. Adam Brown and Dr. Lara Zibners dive deep into the tangled web of patients, profits, and misaligned incentives driving instability in American healthcare.

From skyrocketing medical school debt and low primary care reimbursements to insurance company profits and hospital billing practices, Adam and Lara expose the financial forces shaping how (and if) patients receive care. They compare the U.S. system to models in the U.K. and Europe, exploring why Americans pay more but live shorter, less healthy lives.

This episode tackles big questions, like:

• Why do we prioritize treating illness over preventing it?
• How do insurance companies profit while patients struggle with medical bills?
• What does “health” actually mean and who gets to decide?
• Can we fix a system where profit often outweighs patient care?

If you’ve ever wondered why navigating healthcare feels so complicated, or why the U.S. spends more per person on healthcare than any other developed nation but ranks lower in life expectancy, this conversation is a must-listen.