My Top 5 Healthcare News Stories of 2024 and a Challenge for 2025

Figure 1: Brian Thompson, CEO of UHC murdered in NYC

2024 has marked an important year for those of us seeking positive change in the American healthcare system.  Some news stories read of tragedy while others highlight needed milestones in the journey.  I decided not to number my selections as I feel they are all equally important. 

As I’m sure you know if you’ve read anything I’ve ever written, I have a lot of negative feelings about the BUCAs (Blue Cross, UHC, Cigna, Aetna) as they represent one of the biggest scams; preying on hard-working Americans who are unaware of the reality of fee-for-service and the harms that are perpetrated on them. However, it wasn’t until this tragedy where Brian Thompson was assassinated that I felt the public outcry against a healthcare system that is picking their pockets and leaving them bankrupt in more ways than one.

In the days following this horrible news story, I read a statement by Dr. Michael Fine that resonated with me.  He said, “Murder isn’t the answer. United does only what we as a society have asked them to do, which is to manage cost, on the one hand, and to create profit, on the other hand, using the tools civil society has given them to work with, in a culture and a democracy that lacks the courage and discipline to create a health care system that provides needed and affordable healthcare services to all. That somehow can’t discriminate between primary care, which is an essential, effective and affordable service, and Ozempic and plastic surgery. So, we hire United to do that for us, and are shocked, shocked when they do it badly and advantage themselves because we didn’t watch or retain control. 

But communities CAN do this for themselves, if those of us who study and know this world stand up and give communities the tools they need to do so, and the courage they need to get it done.” 

Well said, Dr. Fine.  I met Michael for the first time at RosettaFest in Washington, DC in September where the event theme outlined community-owned health plans.  I, too, believe communities can rally together and create a better system for themselves than what the “bigs” have set in place.  It’ll be my #1 goal in 2025 to help establish community-owned health plans by collaborating with interested stakeholders nationwide.  If you’ve had images of a COHP dancing in your head for your own community, let’s talk.  You should really put this upcoming year’s RosettaFest on your calendar.

Figure 2:  Ann Lewandowski became the first employee to file a class action suit against her employer citing breach of fiduciary duty in how her health plan at Johnson & Johnson pays claims.

You may not remember, but Dr. Shane Purcell and I recorded a 2-part video commentary when this news became public.  This lawsuit should be of particular interest to the DPC community because, near the end of the complaint, it points to DPC as a preferred way to receive primary care and establishes that Mrs. Lewandowski sought out DPC on her own while the named fiduciaries of her health plan ignored it.  

If you missed the videos Dr. Purcell and I made on this topic, here they are: DPC & Employers: Talking Legal Issues (part 1) and DPC & Employer: Talking Legal Issues Part 2.

Figure 3:  GLP-1 Costs Finally Cause Sticker Shock

We knew it would take a few rounds of a health plan renewal cycle to catch up with loss ratios enough to result in higher-than-normal double-digit rate increases.  Some large employers took drastic action and removed the drugs from formularies if they were solely being used for weight loss and not for the treatment of Type II Diabetes.  One of those large plans that hit the news was the NC State Health Plan.  When State Treasurer Dale Folwell brought the issue to light and requested BCBSNC to exclude the drugs from being used unless T2DM was a factor, it made the national news.  

I know this is a controversial topic, but I’ve written about this in other circles and would love to suggest that we keep having open dialogue about chronic obesity and how to treat it.  

Figure 4:  Change Healthcare’s data breach exposes how BUCA plans make patient care and patient information vulnerable

Hopefully none of your patients were affected by this scandal.  However, if they were, they certainly didn’t have to worry about getting great primary care during the several weeks of uncertainty that sent shockwaves through the healthcare provider landscape.  Change Healthcare is just one of the many companies owned by United Health Group.  Now that there’s sunlight being shed on the data breach, some are saying UHG’s offer to acquire certain practices after the breach shows that they might have had ulterior motives from the beginning.  Personally, I wouldn’t put it past them.

Figure 5:  Steward Health declares bankruptcy

This isn’t the only story of 2024 where a corrupt administrator was helping themselves to the limitless piles of money at their fingertips in healthcare.  It’s probably the one that affected more communities, patients, and families.  Hopefully, more patients will learn to stick with your recommendations on where they should source quality, affordable healthcare services.  Choosing a hospital or hospital-owned practice is risky both financially and clinically.  This story proved that more transparency and more oversight are needed.

Here’s the good news for DPC.  

DPC, when done well by independent physicians, is the shining North Star that patients can depend on.  Your role in how they access and pay for healthcare is something you should be very proud of.

Here’s a call to action for you. 

Your community needs you in a big way.  Writing editorials in your local paper about the healthcare news of the day is so important.  Get out there and make yourself known.   

Here’s something you can use.

Here’s an idea for you to think about for 2025…your local municipalities and counties hold monthly public meetings that are recorded and transcribed.  Signing up for public comment is free and open to all citizens in every case I’ve ever looked at.  What a great way for you to address important healthcare topics in your community.  Step up to the mic, smile for the camera and speak your mind for 3 minutes (or whatever the time limit is).  Then access the recording to use for your own marketing purposes.  It’s a win-win-win.  You win, your elected officials win because you educated them on something important, and your fellow citizens win because they now have the ability to take a position on something that may improve your community’s health. 

So, go for it!  Here’s to a great 2025 for all of us.  Happy New Year!

Well, that’s probably enough for now.  I’ll check in with you again soon.