Are innovators avoiding the biggest problem with healthcare?

Americans say the biggest problem with healthcare is cost. In fact, Americans say their biggest problem generally – perhaps their only big problem – is the high cost of healthcare. But are innovators avoiding the problem?

SXSW Interactive is one of the most prestigious annual events for entrepreneurs and other business innovators. In its 2022 lineup, it had an entire track for “Health & Med Tech” with 106 events. There were 13 events about "health equity" and diversity, 8 about psychedelics, and 6 about yoga. But not a single event was about the cost of healthcare or how to reduce it.

To be fair, “Gender Bias in Medicine” and “Cannabinoids in the Future of Medicine” might be important and interesting topics.  But they are not at the top of the list of national priorities.  They don’t speak to the biggest problem with healthcare according to ordinary people - the cost.  And if innovators aren’t talking about the big problems, who is? If entrepreneurs aren’t solving the big problems, who will?

Yes, healthcare is a large, complex, heavily regulated industry.  And yes, it will be difficult to reverse the price dynamics of a market worth trillions per year.  But we must.  So let's get after it.

Pocketero is building an innovative, non-insurance network for patients who pay out of pocket for healthcare.  Not only are we making it possible for people to live without expensive health insurance, we are making it preferable.  Our goal is to heal the American healthcare market.  Join us now to get the best prices on healthcare.