A New Direction for American Healthcare

A new direction for American healthcare

For far too long, pharmaceutical companies have dictated the terms of healthcare in America. Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) have not only failed the American people but have also aligned themselves with big pharma, creating a system that prioritizes profits over patient care. In what is often called the "greatest nation" in the world, healthcare costs remain alarmingly high. The average healthcare expenditure in the United States is approximately $12,000 per person annually, whereas in India, it is only $100. This stark contrast exposes the inefficiencies and corruption within our system. It is time for big pharma to be held accountable and for the American taxpayer to demand transparency.

A major step toward meaningful reform starts with eliminating pharmaceutical advertising on television—a policy strongly advocated by Secretary Kennedy. American television is flooded with commercials promoting prescription drugs, conditioning the public to seek medication as the primary solution for health concerns. The days when doctors focused on long-term wellness and disease prevention seem to be gone. Instead, prescription medication has become the go-to response for nearly every condition, regardless of whether lifestyle changes or alternative treatments could be effective first-line interventions.

Secretary Kennedy also maintains a strong position against the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which he believes has developed a problematic relationship with the pharmaceutical industry. The FDA is responsible for overseeing a nearly $3 trillion budget dedicated to protecting public health and ensuring food safety. However, the question remains—are we actually healthier now than we were a decade ago? Is our food supply any safer? For many, the answer is a firm no. The rates of chronic illnesses, obesity, and other preventable diseases continue to rise, despite the FDA’s ever-growing regulatory reach. If the agency’s mission is to safeguard public well-being, it is failing miserably. The American people deserve an FDA that works for them, not for corporate interests.

The current state of healthcare in the United States is unsustainable. Millions of Americans are burdened with exorbitant medical costs, forcing them to make impossible decisions—should they pay their rent, put food on the table, or seek the medical treatment they need? The reality is that our healthcare system is broken, and something must be done to rein in the outrageous pricing structures that plague the industry. Pharmaceutical companies continue to generate record-breaking profits, while ordinary citizens struggle to afford necessary medications and treatments. Meanwhile, the FDA's budget expands, yet it provides little improvement in healthcare affordability or safety.

This is why we must support Secretary Kennedy in his efforts to dismantle the monopolies that artificially inflate healthcare costs and compromise food quality. The current system overwhelmingly benefits the wealthiest 1% while leaving the majority of Americans vulnerable. By breaking up these monopolies, we can lower the cost of healthcare and ensure that the average citizen has access to the medical care they deserve.

The American people have been misled for too long. We have been told that high healthcare costs are unavoidable, that excessive drug prices are necessary for innovation, and that the FDA is working in our best interests. But these narratives fail to hold up under scrutiny. We need systemic change—change that prioritizes patients over profits, transparency over secrecy, and well-being over corporate greed.

It is time for a new approach to healthcare in America. We need policies that make healthcare more affordable, hold pharmaceutical companies accountable, and ensure that regulatory agencies serve the public instead of private interests. The status quo is no longer acceptable. Now is the time to act, to demand change, and to support leaders like Secretary Kennedy in their fight to put the American people first.

Tony Williams

Ed.S. student at Liberty University, Ashford University Alumni with a Master of Arts in Health Care Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Gerontology Nursing.