Ep. 14 – Healthcare Reform with Sonja Allen
In this episode of Next-Gen Healthcare, we dive deep into what host Larry calls the “sickness business”—the industry built around Americans getting sick. The conversation explores the flaws in the healthcare system, its financial incentives, and what patients can do to protect themselves.
Our special guest, Sonja Allen, joins us to discuss the legacy of her late husband, Marshall Allen, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and investigative journalist known for his work exposing the pitfalls of the health care industry. We discuss Marshall’s book, Never Pay the First Bill and Other Ways to Fight the Health Care System and Win, and how his work continues to empower individuals against unfair medical practices.
Chapters:
00:49 Why the healthcare system profits from sickness.
02:18 Never Pay the First Bill and the impact of Marshall Allen’s work.
05:43 Marshall’s motivations and his legacy.
09:34 Never Pay the First Bill Structure
14:33 The role of insurance companies and why upcoding is a widespread problem.
19:41 The hidden incentives behind higher medical costs and how they affect consumers.
21:25 The launch of the Allen Health Academy and its mission.
24:03 Upcoming nonprofit initiatives aimed at healthcare education.
26:47 Final thoughts and call to action for listeners.
Resources Mentioned:
Never Pay the First Bill by Marshall Allen
Allen Health Academy
Marshal Allen Project
Follow Sonja Allen for updates on LinkedIn
Previous podcast episode featuring patient advocate Crystal Polson
