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Make America Healthy Again: How Bad Behavior and Big Government Caused a Trillion-Dollar Crisis
Memorial Sloan Kettering radiologist, nationally recognized patient advocate, and Fox News contributor Nicole Saphier argues that we can’t fix the American healthcare system until we fix ourselves.
The American health care system is collapsing, and people are looking for someone to blame. The truth is, this isn’t a government problem. It’s our own fault. In this thought-provoking book, board certified medical doctor Nicole Saphier calls on all Americans to take responsibility for their individual health.
Americans are notoriously unhealthy—we eat too much, drink too much, and sit too much. When roughly 80% of cardiovascular disease and 40% of all cancer cases could be prevented by simple lifestyle changes, it is time to take a deeper look at the problem and ask who truly is responsible. Saphier contends that by getting healthier, we can reduce the astronomical cost of treatment and improve overall care. We don’t need socialized medicine—we need to take better care of ourselves.
In Make America Healthy Again, Saphier combines historical events, economic trends, essential lifestyle advice, and her own perspective to offer concrete solutions to address this massive problem. As she examines a wide range of topics, including the leading causes of death, mental health stigma, social media, physician burnout, and the opioid crisis, Saphier offers a much-needed alternative perspective on the healthcare debate.
The only way to lower health care costs for everyone is to stop incentivizing bad health decisions. Plans like “Medicare for all” would allow Americans to continue to eat poorly and lead sedentary lives. We can’t keep expecting doctors to fix behaviors that we have in our power to prevent, she argues. It’s only going to get worse unless we take action. It’s up to the American people to make America healthy again.
The American health care system is collapsing, and people are looking for someone to blame. The truth is, this isn’t a government problem. It’s our own fault. In this thought-provoking book, board certified medical doctor Nicole Saphier calls on all Americans to take responsibility for their individual health.
Americans are notoriously unhealthy—we eat too much, drink too much, and sit too much. When roughly 80% of cardiovascular disease and 40% of all cancer cases could be prevented by simple lifestyle changes, it is time to take a deeper look at the problem and ask who truly is responsible. Saphier contends that by getting healthier, we can reduce the astronomical cost of treatment and improve overall care. We don’t need socialized medicine—we need to take better care of ourselves.
In Make America Healthy Again, Saphier combines historical events, economic trends, essential lifestyle advice, and her own perspective to offer concrete solutions to address this massive problem. As she examines a wide range of topics, including the leading causes of death, mental health stigma, social media, physician burnout, and the opioid crisis, Saphier offers a much-needed alternative perspective on the healthcare debate.
The only way to lower health care costs for everyone is to stop incentivizing bad health decisions. Plans like “Medicare for all” would allow Americans to continue to eat poorly and lead sedentary lives. We can’t keep expecting doctors to fix behaviors that we have in our power to prevent, she argues. It’s only going to get worse unless we take action. It’s up to the American people to make America healthy again.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2020
256 people are currently reading
436 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Saphier
3 books18 followersNicole Saphier (born January 26, 1982) is an American radiologist and the director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Monmouth, New Jersey. She is well known for providing her opinions as a contributor on Fox News, Fox Business, and MSNBC.
(Wikipedia)
(Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
April 23, 2020
The bottom line: Americans, for the most part, are not taking responsibility for their health. It's time to wake up and be accountable. A fantastic book!
July 10, 2020
I won’t say that Dr. Saphier introduced anything earth shattering as far as new information,but she does bring clarity to many of the issues facing the health of Americans. A good read!
April 24, 2020
HOW DO YOU FIX A PROBLEM?
1. RECOGNIZE that you have a problem
2. Identify WHAT the problem is
3. Break the problem down into small workable parts
4. Think through solutions
5. Find the solution(s) that work best
6. Implement the solutions!
Dr. Nicole Saphire’s book, Make America Healthy Again is not what you might think it is. It IS a book that thoroughly explains our health care and health insurance programs and they are NOT the same thing. Her book has been eye opening for me when she describes what health care in America actually looks like and what has been wrong with it and then how the insurance programs have failed us all to some degree. If America does not recognize that it has a problem, it will never be fixed and our current expectation of quality health care in America cannot be sustained. Therein lies the problem – SUSTAINABILITY!
Many Car Insurance Companies have instituted plans that REDUCE the cost of car insurance IF you can prove that you drive safely. They have created monitors you install in your car and/or on your smart phone to track your driving habits. If you can prove you drive safely, your insurance premium is reduced. What does that have to do with health insurance and this book? It is just one example of what is NOT happening within the health care and health insurance businesses.
Unlike car insurance, if you can prove that you do not smoke, that you do not drink alcohol or that you drink ONLY in moderation and that you regularly exercise, those attributes will NOT reduce your cost of health care or insurance premiums but it should. Everyone pays the same price regardless of the status of your health even though you may reduce, if not eliminate, a lot of diseases you might otherwise contract by living a healthy lifestyle. Using the car insurance as an example, people who can prove these things to their physicians and insurance carriers, ought to have their health insurance premiums reduced. Without such an incentive, why bother to live a healthy lifestyle without the incentive to do so and believing that someone can fix whatever is wrong with you with “a magic pill.”
Dr. Saphire’s book explains health care and health insurance in America (and to some extent around the world) in a language easily understood. The key word to concern yourself with is “sustainable.” A program may work today but will it work tomorrow? Our heath care and health insurance programs are no exception. Can they both be sustained? Dr. Saphire clearly points out that unless something is done and done soon, health care as we have come to know it and benefit from, will drastically change because it cannot be sustained. You will be shocked at who Dr. Saphire considers as being responsible for its potential demise and it is NOT who you might think.
As a result of reading this book, I have a much better understanding of both our current health care AND the health insurance industries. As Americans I would think everyone would want to have a better understanding of both. What courses have you taken, or what books have you read, that both identifies the problems with these two massively expensive programs, AND, offers some solutions to ponder that you may not have considered? This book does both!
Who should read this book? Without a doubt – EVERYONE! It applies to EVERYONE!
Would I read it again? Not necessary but may prove useful as a future resource
Would I give it as a gift? To my children? ABSOLUTELY! For others, yes, if I thought they would actually read it.
1. RECOGNIZE that you have a problem
2. Identify WHAT the problem is
3. Break the problem down into small workable parts
4. Think through solutions
5. Find the solution(s) that work best
6. Implement the solutions!
Dr. Nicole Saphire’s book, Make America Healthy Again is not what you might think it is. It IS a book that thoroughly explains our health care and health insurance programs and they are NOT the same thing. Her book has been eye opening for me when she describes what health care in America actually looks like and what has been wrong with it and then how the insurance programs have failed us all to some degree. If America does not recognize that it has a problem, it will never be fixed and our current expectation of quality health care in America cannot be sustained. Therein lies the problem – SUSTAINABILITY!
Many Car Insurance Companies have instituted plans that REDUCE the cost of car insurance IF you can prove that you drive safely. They have created monitors you install in your car and/or on your smart phone to track your driving habits. If you can prove you drive safely, your insurance premium is reduced. What does that have to do with health insurance and this book? It is just one example of what is NOT happening within the health care and health insurance businesses.
Unlike car insurance, if you can prove that you do not smoke, that you do not drink alcohol or that you drink ONLY in moderation and that you regularly exercise, those attributes will NOT reduce your cost of health care or insurance premiums but it should. Everyone pays the same price regardless of the status of your health even though you may reduce, if not eliminate, a lot of diseases you might otherwise contract by living a healthy lifestyle. Using the car insurance as an example, people who can prove these things to their physicians and insurance carriers, ought to have their health insurance premiums reduced. Without such an incentive, why bother to live a healthy lifestyle without the incentive to do so and believing that someone can fix whatever is wrong with you with “a magic pill.”
Dr. Saphire’s book explains health care and health insurance in America (and to some extent around the world) in a language easily understood. The key word to concern yourself with is “sustainable.” A program may work today but will it work tomorrow? Our heath care and health insurance programs are no exception. Can they both be sustained? Dr. Saphire clearly points out that unless something is done and done soon, health care as we have come to know it and benefit from, will drastically change because it cannot be sustained. You will be shocked at who Dr. Saphire considers as being responsible for its potential demise and it is NOT who you might think.
As a result of reading this book, I have a much better understanding of both our current health care AND the health insurance industries. As Americans I would think everyone would want to have a better understanding of both. What courses have you taken, or what books have you read, that both identifies the problems with these two massively expensive programs, AND, offers some solutions to ponder that you may not have considered? This book does both!
Who should read this book? Without a doubt – EVERYONE! It applies to EVERYONE!
Would I read it again? Not necessary but may prove useful as a future resource
Would I give it as a gift? To my children? ABSOLUTELY! For others, yes, if I thought they would actually read it.
January 25, 2021
I have to admit, it is great that in our great nation people are allowed to have an opinion - this book is nothing more or less than a strikingly biased opinion from one person's view. I will admit that I was agreeing with Saphier for the first few chapters of the book as she declared that many of our current ailments in America are a result of a growing lack of personal responsibility and accountability. But with the introduction of a chapter about the opioid crisis in America, her entire position leaves the rails and this book became one of the most biased, insulting, assaults on American behavior that I have ever read. I expect much more from a physician of her reputation; this entire diatribe was rather unacceptable in my view. While this elitist makes some valid points, throughout the book, she espouses political rantings that undercut and devalue many other professions, and declares that the majority of Americans are merely overindulged, overweight, drug addicted, smoking, uneducated, poverty-stricken bafoons. Actually, it is rare that I long for the end of a book to arrive, but this book was one of the least favored I have read.
September 24, 2024
The author who is a doctor gives some good information on insurance companies and why it’s all so expensive. I value the information she shared. I even agreed with her on how sick with illness our country has become. I don’t agree with the suggestions she shared on fixing them. One being that people with bad habits should pay for their health care that result from their bad habits or pay a higher cost. Who would decide what’s bad and how much is a bad habit? This is not America. I completely agree we are a sick nation doped up on meds. But education is the key to this not strong are. One minute she feels bad for a patient, but won’t tell the patient that she should quit smoking and lose weight bc she doesn’t want to hurt the patients feelings and then says that patient should pay for their healthcare costs? Weird. I’m nearly 50 and take zero meds, Im subsiding others and not sure what the answer is. Didn’t appreciate her telling me I’m basically a bad parent for not giving my kids the HPV vaccine either. Book was informative for the most part but not great.
August 13, 2020
Saphier doesn't introduce any new information about the healthcare system. She peppers in her own Republican thoughts throughout the book, which I could have done without. Her bottom line is Americans need to be responsible for their own health and cut doctors some slack because they're people, too. Some of the headings within the chapters didn't line up with the discussed content. Saphier mentions (multiple times) how she was a teen mother and worked hard to become successful, a narrative that ultimately added nothing to the book.
This book seemed to be an attempt to write a groundbreaking piece on the American healthcare system, but falls flat and reads like an overly long story on FOX News.
This book seemed to be an attempt to write a groundbreaking piece on the American healthcare system, but falls flat and reads like an overly long story on FOX News.
February 19, 2024
Saphier courageously addresses America’s reasons for poor health outcomes and proposes ideas to heal diseases while eliminating healthcare costs. One theme is taking responsibility for one’s health. After all, if we can’t care for ourselves why should we expect our healthcare workers to do the same? She discusses real-world solutions and ways to incentivize healthy behaviors. Highly recommend this to any healthcare professional or anyone willing to live a healthier, longer and fulfilling life- while paying less for healthcare.
April 24, 2020
I just finished reading this book and could not put it down. It's a fascinating read and a great resource for anyone who has questions about our widely mystified health care system. I truly admire Dr. Saphier's approach to the real issues we are facing with health care and I appreciate the solutions offered in this book.
July 12, 2020
This book gets at the heart and reality of the American health crisis in easily understood terms and concepts .... wake up America and take some personal responsibility for and ownership of your health!
July 23, 2020
This should be required reading. Also, if everyone took personal responsibility for their health, healthcare for those truly unpredictable and emergency services would be much more manageable to pay OOP or to keep premiums low. Jest read it.
May 5, 2020
Enjoyed it very much. Really eye opening when it comes to our health, drugs, Foods and what we seem to fall into. Plus it gives you many ideas on how you can make yourself healthy again.
June 3, 2020
DNFed this book after a few chapters. Full of priveleged opienated republican bullshit you'd expect from someone who shows up on FOX channel all the time.
Want to read
November 10, 2020I can already tell that I would disagree with a lot in this book. Yes, there are a lot of things Americans should be doing better when it comes to taking personal responsibility for their health, but that doesn't mean we should just not let people have healthcare. And there are ways to have "socialized" medicine without spending so much of our GDP and without incentivizing bad behaviors.
June 13, 2021
It the truth victim blaming the food insure areas for poor American health.
November 14, 2020
Quick and easy read. Didn't go overboard with terminology, easy plain English. Really sad to see how much money is spent on ailments that are almost entirely self inflicted based on poor eating, lack of exercise and not taking doctor advice on lifestyle changes and medicines.
We just expect insurance to cover it all when when we could literally just stop it from happening in the first place- some forms of diabetes, heart diseases, and even some cancers have a direct link to our behaviors.
Enjoyed her pointing out that covering everyone without increased cost for pre-existing conditions (again, many which are preventable!) is an easy way to create rationed care in the future, and to drive costs through the roof for everyone, including for those of us who take preventative care seriously and thus visit the doctor maybe 1-2x a year at most.
Further proof that my drive to spend more of our budget on eating well/quality and caring for our physical & mental health, while cutting other budget areas that could be more enjoyable, is the best way to keep avoiding those doctors!
We just expect insurance to cover it all when when we could literally just stop it from happening in the first place- some forms of diabetes, heart diseases, and even some cancers have a direct link to our behaviors.
Enjoyed her pointing out that covering everyone without increased cost for pre-existing conditions (again, many which are preventable!) is an easy way to create rationed care in the future, and to drive costs through the roof for everyone, including for those of us who take preventative care seriously and thus visit the doctor maybe 1-2x a year at most.
Further proof that my drive to spend more of our budget on eating well/quality and caring for our physical & mental health, while cutting other budget areas that could be more enjoyable, is the best way to keep avoiding those doctors!
October 7, 2020
Saphier provides a compelling perspective to the power of personal responsibility in the healthcare of people across the United States. While I agree with a lot of these thoughts, I do believe that she falls a little short in articulating how personal responsibility and a true free-market will work for people with pre-existing conditions or health problems that they have no control over. There is a missing component to the way that the government can effectively provide a care system for these people.
August 20, 2020
Excellent. I disagree with Dr. Saphier on a few points, but overall I very much agree and like her book. The book isn't intended as a guilt trip, but it spurred me on to lose these last 10 lbs and get more exercise. I wish she had offered a good solution to preexisting conditions - she seems to view them as matters of unhealthy lifestyle, but that's far from the whole story. I very much like her concepts of financial incentives for healthy behaviors. Let's do it!
May 12, 2020
I think the author did a really good job with this book. Sure there might have been some political agenda in here but overall, the author brought up some really good points about healthcare & what America can do to change it. The author also brought up some issues that most people don’t want to talk about & showed how our personal choices are affecting everybody around us.
August 12, 2023
Informative but I ultimately did not end up agreeing with the author on some of her strong opinions. For someone who enjoys books with political bias, this one might be for you. It did not speak to me but I was able to learn from it regardless.
July 22, 2024
According to Nicole Saphier, the solution to the myriad problems with our health care system is to simply scold everyone to be healthier. Problem solved, apparently. I hoped for a book on how conservative market-based principles could be usefully applied to our twisted mess of a health care system. Instead, I got a Fox News bot judging and hating anyone less fortunate than those who enjoy good health. Relying on the same amount of evidence that this author cites in her book, it can be stated that the analysis in this book will cause significant brain deterioration. Bottom line: this is a book written with the sole purpose of allowing Fox News viewers to feel warm and fuzzy about ignoring the underperforming United States health care system and disregarding the needs of those who suffer from health disadvantages.
June 14, 2020
The perfect encapsulation of a Karen tells us that the US health issues are all our faults & the government shouldn't do anything to help. She also seems to be annoyed with the practice of medicine in general which may be why she spends so much time on tv & hates the idea of Obamacare because it would provide health care to more people. It also relies heavily on the typical trope of an imagined oppressed "middle class", what she doesn't address is what this supposed group of people would do for health care if they lose their jobs.
March 17, 2025
Quick read.
It all boils down to the fact that our Healthcare system is failing and struggling due to high costs and being overburdened.
Biggest take away is that it preventable diseases that are causing the problem. She also talks about the other side with insurance and big pharma. But the best thing that can be done is people taking care of themselves...healthy eating, move more, and lose weight.
It all boils down to the fact that our Healthcare system is failing and struggling due to high costs and being overburdened.
Biggest take away is that it preventable diseases that are causing the problem. She also talks about the other side with insurance and big pharma. But the best thing that can be done is people taking care of themselves...healthy eating, move more, and lose weight.
April 24, 2020
This book is a great resource for everyone who wants to learn about the US health care crisis. Dr. Saphier (she’s on TV all the time) explains things in a concise manner, analytical and balanced. She is FOX NEWS quite a bit, but she doesn’t sound politically biased. She is only based on facts that she backs up- awesome job!!
May 22, 2020
A concise well arranged book on the insurance companies strangle hold on the health care system. In the last 50 years we have gone from visiting a doctor and paying 10$ to large co-pays and 100$ office visits. Nicole Saphier writes clear and documents problems withing the industry. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
September 11, 2021
Great book. Quick read and some great in depth analysis the second part of the title (bad behavior and big gov’t). The author shares easy to understand examples and data with her behind the scenes knowledge/experience. Better decisions can be helpful for our health and our collective wallets. Make sure to read the appendix (that would be the cliff notes on taking care of yourself).
December 30, 2022
A lot to like in Make America Healthy Again. Dr. Saphier writes with great conviction and passion. I learned a lot and was easier to read even with the research. Though I did not agree with everything in the book, I really enjoyed her perspective and reasoning. I look forward to exploring more of her books!
January 6, 2023
I had trouble with this one. I work in the healthcare space and enjoy reading different accounts of what's affecting our industry. This book felt more sensational and blame-attributing than most, and I personally didn't get much out of it. YMMV but I quit it about halfway through.
For other healthcare reading, I've preferred books like Rosenthal's An American Sickness and Lee's The Long Fix
For other healthcare reading, I've preferred books like Rosenthal's An American Sickness and Lee's The Long Fix
August 10, 2025
The section about the AMA and CPT codes and billing was particularly interesting. While I don't agree with every single topic in this book, it was insightful and fosters healthy conversation about where the American health system needs changes. Plus, I agree with the premise that Americans have personal responsibility for their health.
July 12, 2020
The intentions of this book are good and the over arching message is good. But it is hard to read. Love is messy and complicated and can’t be easily fixed. It reads like a list of unattainable marching orders
March 31, 2021
Great book! Listened to this book through Scribd and enjoyed it. Nicole is admirable, from being another teen pregnancy statistic in her later years of high school to working at the worlds top cancer center in a highly sought after position is inspiring!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews