This article talks about two commentaries by Hayden Rooke-Ley that argue that neoliberal, profit-driven models of U.S. healthcare—particularly privatized Medicare and value-based payment—have failed patients by prioritizing corporate interests over access and quality of care. He calls for a shift to a publicly governed, single-payer system that removes financial conflicts of interest and restores decision-making to non-commercial entities and caregivers.

The article investigates how major drugmakers like Pfizer and Eli Lilly are paying telehealth companies millions of dollars to connect patients to providers, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and violations of anti-kickback laws. While both companies deny influencing prescriptions, lawmakers and experts worry these partnerships may steer patients toward expensive branded drugs and allow pharma firms to collect detailed patient data.

This article argues that despite Massachusetts’ recent reforms after the collapse of Steward Health Care, a major loophole still allows private equity to control medical practices through shell companies and “friendly physician” arrangements. Drawing on the century-old corporate practice of medicine (CPOM) doctrine, the article calls for stronger legal restrictions like those recently passed in Oregon to protect patient care from financial interests.