The Costs of Healthcare

So, I'm a little late to the party on this one ... but this is a great episode of NPR's On Point featuring the author of the much-talked-about New Yorker article on healthcare, "The Cost Conundrum." 

Atul Gawande has written about the high cost of health care in the border town of McAllen, Texas. And the article is getting attention in circles as influential as the White House. 

McAllen has one of the lowest average household incomes in the nation but also one of the highest average household costs for healthcare. Gawande investigates why and comes up with some pretty ethically shocking conclusions. 

There are some interesting discussions about end-of-life care peppered throughout the show. And it's just a fascinating listen for anyone who follows debates about the future of the medical industry. 

Here's a link to the actual article. Image from The New Yorker.