Most people think they understand healthcare.
They don't.
They think insurance protects them financially.
It doesn't.
They think being "uninsured" means being screwed.
Wrong again.
I just spent an hour talking with Bridget Babione, Head of Operations at CrowdHealth, and what she told me will make you question everything you believe about healthcare in America.
The stat that should terrify you.
Medical debt is the number one cause of bankruptcy in this country. And the majority of Americans who declare bankruptcy due to medical debt actually HAVE health insurance.
Read that again.
Having insurance didn't save them. It took funding out of their family budget month after month, and then failed them when they needed it most.
Meanwhile, there's a parallel economy of healthcare happening right under your nose. Cash-pay patients getting better care, at lower prices, with a team of patient advocates and actual transparency.
The $80,000 Heart Surgery Story
Bridget and I chatted about a CrowdHealth member who needed a heart ablation procedure. His local hospital quoted $80,000.
Instead of accepting that price like a good little consumer, CrowdHealth helped him shop around.
They found an excellent surgeon at a top facility. Flew him first class. Put him up in a nice hotel. Covered all his travel expenses.
Total cost to the crowd: $27,000.
He got great care, a weekend vacation with his wife AND saved the Crowd $53,000.
Total out of pocket for the member: $500.
No surprise there.
Because ‘health events’ (outside of pregnancy) are always a max of $500 out of pocket.
This isn't some weird edge case. This is what happens when you actually shop for healthcare like you would for anything else you buy.
Why Doctors Love Cash-Pay Patients
When you pay cash, something magical happens:
No insurance company dictating treatment protocols
No "Do A, then B, then C even though A & B are unnecessary"
You start having real conversations about what you actually need
And you support doctors who remember why they became doctors
I've sewn up countless wounds in the ER and urgent care.
I have no idea what any of those patients were billed. The billing company looks at my notes and bills "maximally" because they're playing games with insurance companies.
When someone pays cash? The whole dynamic changes.
But what about those financial consent forms?
Everyone wants to know what to do about those iPad forms at the ER.
Here's what Bridget told me:
Instead of signing your name, just write "won't sign."
That's it. No one's paying close attention anyway.
And if you already signed?
You didn't sign your life away.
There was no agreement on a specific price, which means they can only charge you a "reasonable cost" - not whatever number they make up.
The Cancer Patient Getting Top $0 Treatment
Three CrowdHealth members are currently fighting cancer.
All three have qualified for ‘Manufacturer Assistance Programs’
That means they're getting their cancer medications for free.
Not because they're broke. Because the drug companies have to provide charity care. Most people don't know these programs exist, but the Crowd does, and they hired a service to help members apply.
And if they didn't qualify? No big deal.
They would pay $500 and the submit to the Crowd for funding. Because that's what community actually looks like.
We take care of each other.
The Real Revolution Isn't Technology
Everyone thinks healthcare will be disrupted by some app or AI breakthrough.
They're missing the point.
The revolution is happening already through community. Through people taking responsibility. Through transparency instead of the current shell game.
CrowdHealth members save money every month compared to traditional insurance. They get better care. They know exactly what they're paying for.
And when someone needs extra help - like the family who just adopted a 3-year-old from Africa and needs specialized testing - the community steps up voluntarily.
No bureaucracy. No forms. Just humans helping humans.
What This Really Means
This isn't just about healthcare.
This is about taking back control from systems designed to extract maximum profit while delivering minimum value.
This is about building real community in a world that's become increasingly isolated.
This is about what happens when you stop accepting "that's just how things work" as an answer.
The Questions You Should Be Asking
Why are you paying $800/month for insurance that still leaves you with $5,000+ deductibles?
Why don't you know the price of medical procedures before you get them?
Why are you not shopping for healthcare like you shop for everything else?
Why are you accepting a system where the majority of medical bankruptcies happen to insured people?
Listen to the Full Episode
I barely scratched the surface here. Bridget breaks down exactly how CrowdHealth works, what happens in emergencies, how they handle pregnancy and cancer, and why this model actually makes financial sense.
The old system is broken beyond repair.
The new one is being built by people who refused to accept broken as permanent.
Which side of history will you be on?
Until next week.
Tiffany
Thank you to CrowdHealth for sponsoring The Healthcare Liberty Lab this and every week.
If you’re ready to experience healthcare differently? Visit joincrowdhealth.com. Use code “Liberty Lab” for $99/month for the first 3 months.
If this resonated with you, share it.
The people who need to see this most are the ones still trapped in the old system, thinking they have no other choice.
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