Money Driven Medicine – Tests and Treatments That Don’t Work

Money Driven Medicine – Tests and Treatments That Don’t Work presents a bold critique of the U.S. healthcare system, challenging the assumption that compliance with officially sanctioned medical guidelines inherently leads to better health outcomes. The author argues that many common medical practices are not only costly and risky but also lack strong scientific support—resulting in preventable deaths and unsustainable healthcare spending.

The book highlights the precarious financial landscape of American healthcare, emphasizing the growing deficits faced by corporations and the government in funding Medicare and retiree healthcare. Despite the United States’ position as the highest per capita healthcare spender among developed nations, its health outcomes consistently fall short. This paradox, the author contends, stems largely from a systemic neglect of preventive medicine, which could reduce the burden of chronic disease before expensive interventions become necessary.

At its core, the book critiques the fee-for-service model, which incentivizes quantity over quality—encouraging a surge of unnecessary tests, procedures, and treatments. These interventions often yield minimal benefit and can sometimes cause harm. Cundiff underscores how entrenched financial incentives—not patient welfare—drive the widespread adoption of procedures such as certain surgeries, imaging diagnostics, and pharmaceutical regimens that lack robust evidence of effectiveness.

To counter these systemic inefficiencies, Money Driven Medicine (2006) becomes expanded into a follow-up volume titled Grand Bargains—Fixing Healthcare and the Economy (2014). This framework proposes replacing existing public and private insurance structures with a network of Accountable Care Cooperatives (ACCs). These cooperatives would compete to deliver high-quality, affordable care, shifting the system’s focus from profit to patient well-being. By decoupling healthcare access from government programs, employment, or personal wealth, ACCs aim to foster a more sustainable and equitable model.

In essence, Money Driven Medicine delivers a compelling call for reform—urging a transformation from financially driven healthcare to a cooperative model that aligns incentives with optimal health outcomes for individuals and society.