3.     How are we to believe the hospitals have reported the correct number of lives saved in the first place,  given the massive amount of fraud and corruption that occurs in United States hospitals?  Among Dr. Berwick's ardent supporters are Tenet Healthcare , and Ascension Healthcare (at their Sacred Heart Hospital) whose alleged fraud had direct consequences on the life and death of patients.

      Dr. Berwick has even acknowledged that there is no verification (see #2 under Terms and Conditions) that the data reported to IHI is in fact truthful.   Others have also questioned his claims.

             The essential message of the Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation, the National Patient Safety Foundation, Dr. Berwick’s Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and several other groups that include CAPS, Sorry Works, etc., is that the healthcare industry can regulate itself.  The healthcare industry – that is, physicians, pharmaceutical companies, for profit and not-for-profit hospitals, healthcare insurance companies,  and HMO’s – are a vast guild that is highly profitable for a select few.  They are the winners in the race for profits under the healthcare component of National Capitalism.  Vast sums are spent on assuring that the right politicians are elected who will not tamper with this system. For any meaningful tampering, that is, honest regulation, might severely limit their profits. Vast sums are spent convincing the public that “American Medicine is the best in the World.”   Sadly, the facts are exactly the opposite.

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