James P. Crowley: These Boston hospitals are now fighting over their share of cancer patients because of the tremendous revenue they generate.

James P. Crowley, Professor of Medicine emeritus at Brown University, shared the following on LinkedIn:

“These Boston hospitals are now fighting over their share of cancer patients because of the tremendous revenue they generate.

The clinicians who provide treatment no doubt care deeply about people who are fighting for their lives but are totally excluded from this fight.

But to the business side of each of these hospitals, those patients represent millions and millions of dollars.

As reported by the Globe, these are the stunning numbers: One in four patients tested in the Brigham’s emergency department has cancer, and 40 percent of all Brigham surgeries are related to cancer.

This hospital alone conducts 100,000 radiation oncology treatments a year and 8,700 inpatients are cared for by Brigham cancer experts annually.

One more reminder of the chaotic state of affairs in healthcare in the US! The US unlike all other of the comparably developed nations of the world relies on a total free for all, anything goes, winner take all free enterprise system rather than a well organized, orderly healthcare system responsive to the public.

Our healthcare system in the US doesn’t serve the public or the healthcare providers or the patients: it serves the entrepreneurial C suite business minded executives who direct it.”

For details click here
Source: James P. Crowley / LinkedIn