OLLI0160 - Healthcare Inc. – Understanding the U.S. Medical-Industrial Complex

Course Description

Healthcare is the largest industry in the United States, consuming 18.3% of the American economy. A diverse set of organizations including not-for profit, small startups, for-profit private companies, large public multinational specialty and insurance providers, pharma, and a host of others, all with at times competing objectives, comprise the current “medical-industrial complex.” Every citizen, whether actively or passively, is a healthcare consumer who should have access to this information in order to understand how the various business sectors, delivery models, regulations, and laws interact within this complex system; to increase patient advocacy; and to become a more informed voter. Discussion areas will include evolution of the healthcare system; physicians, both primary care and specialty; hospitals; pharma; health insurance; quality vs. cost; and future possible impacts of technology and big data. Participants are expected to read provided advance material in preparation for class discussion. This course will be recorded.