In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, public trust in the medical community—often dubbed the “medical cartel” for its intertwined corporate and institutional interests—has plummeted to historic lows. What was once seen as a bastion of science and care has been exposed as a profit-fueled machine, where financial gains supersede patient welfare. Revelations during and after the crisis have laid bare decades of systemic deceit, eroding confidence and sparking widespread skepticism among Americans.
Surveys paint a stark picture of this decline. Trust in physicians and hospitals fell dramatically from over 70% in early 2020 to around 40% by early 2024, according to studies of U.S. adults. Similarly, confidence in key health agencies dropped significantly during the same period. This erosion stems from poor communication, conflicting guidance, and the amplification of misinformation during the pandemic, which many attribute to underlying profit motives. The medical establishment’s handling of COVID highlighted how profit-driven decisions overshadowed public health, leading to accusations of deceit and manipulation.
At the heart of this crisis is the U.S. healthcare system’s relentless pursuit of profits. Unlike other nations, America’s for-profit model incentivizes higher costs and complexity, with insurers and providers prioritizing revenue over outcomes. Critics argue this “profit motive” has bloated the system, fostering fragmentation and inefficiency. Pharmaceutical giants, or Big Pharma, play a central role, spending billions on lobbying to maintain high drug prices and influence policy. The pandemic amplified these issues, as rapid vaccine development and treatments were marred by allegations of rushed approvals and suppressed alternatives for financial gain.
Post-COVID revelations have been damning. Instances of fraud, negligence, and misinformation proliferated, from fabricated research in prestigious journals to widespread billing scams exploiting relief funds. One high-profile case involved a nurse whistleblower at a New York hospital, detailing how greed led to unnecessary deaths through mismanagement. Misinformation spread by some physicians further fueled distrust, with claims of vaccine fraud and ineffective protocols. Federal enforcement actions uncovered billions in COVID-related healthcare fraud, including false claims and kickbacks. These exposures confirmed long-held suspicions: the medical cartel had systematically prioritized profits over truth for years.
Compounding the scandal are deep political ties to Big Pharma. Campaign finance data reveals how politicians across the spectrum rake in millions from the industry. Notably, progressive figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders received over $1.5 million in contributions from pharmaceutical and health product sectors during the 2020 cycle, despite his vocal criticism. Similarly, Sen. Elizabeth Warren amassed more than $800,000 from the same sources, even as she targeted drug pricing reforms. While some argue these are mostly employee donations rather than direct PAC funds, the totals highlight how Big Pharma infiltrates politics to protect its interests. Overall, the industry has funneled billions to lawmakers, with Democrats recently outpacing Republicans in receipts despite pledges to curb drug costs. This web of influence explains why meaningful reforms stall, perpetuating the cycle of deceit.
As Americans grapple with these truths, rebuilding trust requires transparency and accountability. Until the profit stranglehold is broken, the medical cartel will continue to undermine public health.
References:
Trust in Physicians and Hospitals During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the US: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11292455/
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov New data underscore rise in CDC mistrust during pandemic: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/public-health/new-data-underscore-rise-cdc-mistrust-during-pandemic
cidrap.umn.edu COVID-19 Capitalism: The Profit Motive versus Public Health: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7543589/
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov How Big Pharma Reaps Profits While Hurting Everyday Americans: https://www.americanprogress.org/article/big-pharma-reaps-profits-hurting-everyday-americans/
americanprogress.org Pharmaceuticals / Health Products Recipients (OpenSecrets data on contributions): https://www.opensecrets.org/industries/summary?cycle=2020&ind=H04&recipdetail=M&sortorder=U
Trust in Physicians and Hospitals During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the US: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11292455/
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govNew data underscore rise in CDC mistrust during pandemic: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/public-health/new-data-underscore-rise-cdc-mistrust-during-pandemic
cidrap.umn.eduCOVID-19 Capitalism: The Profit Motive versus Public Health: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7543589/
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govHow Big Pharma Reaps Profits While Hurting Everyday Americans: https://www.americanprogress.org/article/big-pharma-reaps-profits-hurting-everyday-americans/
americanprogress.orgPharmaceuticals / Health Products Recipients (OpenSecrets data on contributions): https://www.opensecrets.org/industries/summary?cycle=2020&ind=H04&recipdetail=M&sortorder=U
From We Are Americans Journalist Desk
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