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Is Boeing the canary in the mine to help us stop corruption?

Written by: Sarah M. Worthy, CEO of DoorSpace

The healthcare industry, designed to safeguard and improve human health, is increasingly mired in controversies around prioritizing profits over patient welfare. Organizations and corporate boards often face allegations of choosing financial gain at the expense of human lives. This ethical dilemma is not confined to isolated incidents but is a systemic issue that undermines the very foundation of healthcare. Recent scandals and policy failures highlight the urgent need for a paradigm shift in how healthcare organizations operate and make decisions.

While Boeing‘s case involves the aerospace industry, its implications resonate deeply with healthcare. The tragic crashes that resulted in 346 people dying in less than five months: Lion Air Flight 610 on October 29, 2018, and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on March 10, 2019, were linked to the company’s decision to overlook safety concerns in favor of expediting production and protecting shareholder interests.  The tragedy of these plane crashes stands out to us but when we look at US healthcare, every day – thousands of Americans die each year as a direct result of similar decisions made by healthcare executives that put profits over safety – far more lives are lost each year from the declining safety of US healthcare than in plane crashes.  

This prioritization of profits over human safety is alarmingly similar to practices observed in the healthcare sector. Healthcare organizations, much like Boeing, often face immense pressure to meet financial targets and satisfy shareholders. This pressure can lead to compromised safety standards, reduced quality of care, and, ultimately, patient harm. The underlying issue is a corporate governance model that values short-term financial gains over long-term ethical responsibilities and patient welfare.

Political agendas and interference exacerbate the crisis in healthcare. Political leaders often prioritize budget cuts and policy changes that align with their interests rather than the needs of the healthcare system. This leads to underfunding critical health programs, delays in approving new treatments, and the politicization of health crises, all of which negatively impact patient care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, political disputes over mask mandates, vaccination policies, and public health guidelines created confusion and division, undermining efforts to control the virus. This politicization not only affected policy implementation but also eroded public trust in health institutions and professionals, further complicating the delivery of effective healthcare.

Lobbying by pharmaceutical companies and other healthcare-related industries plays a significant role in shaping healthcare policies. These entities often exert considerable influence on legislation, resulting in policies that favor corporate profits over public health. For example, laws that protect high drug prices or limit the government’s ability to negotiate prices directly benefit pharmaceutical companies at the expense of patients who struggle to afford essential medications. This influence extends to the approval and marketing of new drugs and medical devices. Rapid approvals, driven by the desire to maximize profits, can lead to the release of inadequately tested products, posing serious risks to patient safety. Such practices highlight the need for stricter regulations and greater accountability within the industry.

A critical issue exacerbating the problems in healthcare is the persistent disregard for the expertise of healthcare professionals. Decisions that significantly impact healthcare delivery are often made without adequately consulting those on the front lines. This disconnect can lead to policies and practices that are not only ineffective but also detrimental to patient care. Healthcare professionals possess invaluable insights into patient needs, treatment efficacy, and system inefficiencies. However, their voices are frequently overshadowed by political and corporate interests. This results in decisions that prioritize cost-cutting and profit margins over patient welfare. For instance, the understaffing of hospitals and clinics, driven by budget constraints, directly contradicts the recommendations of healthcare professionals who emphasize the need for adequate staffing to ensure patient safety and care quality.

To address these systemic issues, a fundamental shift is required in how healthcare organizations operate and make decisions. This involves holding corporate executives and board members accountable for decisions that compromise patient safety and welfare. Legal frameworks should ensure that those responsible for unethical practices face appropriate consequences. Creating policies that prioritize patient care over political agendas is essential. American lives literally depend on us uniting and refusing to elect or support politicians that try to make our healthcare a partisan issue. s

This bipartisan plan needs to include stable funding for critical health programs and protect public health decisions from political interference. Additionally, actively incorporating the insights and recommendations of healthcare professionals into decision-making processes ensures that policies and practices are informed by those with firsthand knowledge of patient needs and system inefficiencies. Implementing stricter regulations on lobbying and corporate practices within the healthcare industry, including ensuring that new drugs and medical devices undergo rigorous testing before approval and addressing the high cost of medications, is also crucial.

By addressing these issues, we can create a healthcare system that truly prioritizes patient lives over profits. This shift is essential for restoring public trust, improving healthcare outcomes, and upholding the ethical principles that should guide the industry.

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