87 pages • 2 hours read
An American Sickness: How Healthcare Became Big Business and How You Can Take It Back
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
416
Book • Nonfiction
2010s
2017
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
An American Sickness by Elisabeth Rosenthal critiques the American healthcare system, analyzing its history, the exploitation of patients by insurance companies, hospitals, pharma, and medical industries, and offering solutions for patients to navigate and reform the system, blending testimonials from diverse stakeholders. The book discusses catastrophic experiences with the healthcare industry and complex billing practices.
Informative
Unnerving
Challenging
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
8,942 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Elisabeth Rosenthal’s An American Sickness incisively critiques the U.S. healthcare system, highlighting inefficiencies and profit-driven practices. Readers find it thoroughly researched and informative, though some feel overwhelmed by medical jargon. The actionable recommendations are praised, yet the complexity of the subject may deter general audiences.
Who Should Read An American Sickness?
Readers who appreciate investigative journalism and insights into systemic issues would enjoy An American Sickness by Elisabeth Rosenthal. Fans of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot and Bad Blood by John Carreyrou will find Rosenthal's exposé of the U.S. healthcare system equally compelling.
8,942 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Olga Baker
Olga Baker
A concerned mother who shares her experience of being manipulated into unnecessary medical expenses for her daughter's surgery.
Hope Marcus
Hope Marcus
An individual who faced significant financial difficulties in securing a lifesaving medication, illustrating the broader struggles of American patients.
416
Book • Nonfiction
2010s
2017
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.