#90 - Sandra Alvarez: On the Secret War Among Hospitals That’s Driving Up Healthcare Costs

There’s a giant game of monopoly being played by healthcare providers in our country, and neither you nor I stand to benefit. Sandra Alvarez’s latest film, InHospitable, shines a light on two specific players in the game in my hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - a place that's very near and dear to me. Tensions rose when the dominant healthcare provider UPMC created its own insurance company. Patients previously receiving care with UPMC providers and at their hospitals were pushed out unless they switched to UPMC’s insurance. In response, Highmark, the dominant insurer, started its medical provider, Allegheny Health Network. The two continue to battle it out for market share. This type of infighting amongst organizations claiming to provide care to the community makes you wonder whose interests they really care about and InHospitable does a great job of clarifying some of these very confronting issues.  [06:53] The Secret Hospital War [11:24] Community Impact [14:12] The Insurance Wars: UPMC vs. Highmark [21:01] For-Profit vs. Non-Profit Hospital Models [28:17] Primary Drivers of Hospitalization Costs [38:38] The Cost of Childbirth [45:39] We Need Change Visit the show notes for resources, links mentioned, and more: https://www.BelovedHolistics.com/podcast/sandraalvarez Made possible by: Fit For Birth - use our code BELOVED for 20% off pregnancy and postpartum-specific coaching! Organifi - use our code BELOVED for 20% off their green and red juice for a natural boost to your energy and mood! InHospitable & Sandra Alvarez: Sandra Alvarez on Instagram @SandraSeesAll Website | InHospitableFilm.com Twitter @InHospitableFlm Instagram @InHospitableFilm Facebook | Inhospitable Film Find me: Instagram @nathanrileyobgyn TikTok @nathanrileyobgyn Practice: BelovedHolistics.com Medical Disclaimer: The Holistic OBGYN Podcast is an educational program. No information conveyed through this podcast should be construed as medical advice. These conversations are available to the public for educational and entertainment purposes only. Music provided by EdvardGaresPremium / Pond5 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theholisticobgyn/message

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The institutions and individuals who run the world would like you to believe that you are powerless. That there's nothing you can do to improve the wellbeing of your family. That you aren't smart enough to understand shmancy science stuff. That eating and living well is too hard for most...so why try? That exercising your rights to informed consent and refusal is irresponsible. That having a birth on you terms, in your own home would be incorrigible. That pregnancy is a disease and childbirth is a medical procedure. That your symptoms are "all in your head". That cervical cancer is an inevitable consequence of HPV infection. They're wrong. Welcome to your revolution.