The Great Social Experiment

The Great Social Experiment

What if the whole US healthcare system could be put into perspective by how we treat one disease? David Krissman tells the story and lessons of America’s only experiment with universal healthcare (kidney failure). In 1972, the US government guaranteed healthcare coverage for people with kidney failure. While the program has been a life raft for millions of patients who have needed dialysis, in many ways our treatment of kidney failure has been a cautionary tale. Understanding the lessons of this story not only provides a path for better kidney care, but a powerful framework for fixing healthcare in our system as a whole. https://thegreatsocialexperiment.net/

Episodes

November 29, 2022 3 mins

What if the whole US healthcare system could be put into perspective by how we treat one disease? 

David Krissman tells the story and lessons of America's only experiment with universal healthcare (kidney failure).

In 1972, the US government guaranteed healthcare coverage for people with kidney failure. While the program has been a life raft for millions of patients who have needed dialysis, in many ways our treatment of kidney fai...

Mark as Played

A real Life-And-Death Committee prompts the US government to do what they had never done before — provide universal coverage to a group of patients regardless of age, race, and socioeconomic status. But what started out with high hopes evolved into a system that mirrors the same pitfalls of the larger healthcare system in terms of quality of care, access, and cost.

Understanding the big letdown of universal kidney care is to hear t...

Mark as Played
November 29, 2022 32 mins

This episode begins to unravel why only a fraction of patients who have kidney failure end up on the wait list for a kidney transplant. It pulls back the curtain on the financial incentives of dialysis clinics and the doctors who oversee the care at them.

https://www.thegreatsocialexperiment.net/

Mark as Played
November 29, 2022 43 mins

This episode explores how the perverse incentives between dialysis clinics and doctors goes deeper. Lance's story continues, illustrating how the policies of kidney transplant centers have systematically exacerbated the socioeconomic and racial disparities with kidney transplantation. 

https://www.thegreatsocialexperiment.net/

Mark as Played
November 29, 2022 37 mins

The seemingly impossible paradox of how most patients get an organ offer shortly after being added to the kidney transplant wait list, but still end up waiting years for a transplant. This episode explores the reasons and grave consequences. 

https://www.thegreatsocialexperiment.net/

Mark as Played
November 29, 2022 31 mins

The conclusion of Lance's story, an examination of our biases, and what drives human behavior.

https://www.thegreatsocialexperiment.net/

Mark as Played
November 29, 2022 55 mins

The series finale uses The Great Social Experiment of kidney care to give context and perspective to understand the flaws and opportunities of America's healthcare system. It looks at the past and present to understand why the USA doesn't have universal healthcare and who can remedy it. 

https://www.thegreatsocialexperiment.net/

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.