Part 4/9:
Healthcare is yet another domain where corporate influence has drastically altered the landscape. In Washington State, a handful of healthcare systems control 90% of hospital beds, significantly harming rural communities, where smaller clinics often close or reduce essential services. Patients are bearing the brunt of this corporate consolidation; witnesses reported staggering increases in healthcare costs without any corresponding improvement in service quality. One patient's insurance costs for chronic illness treatments skyrocketed from $24,000 to $74,000 per visit, showcasing the profound impact of corporate greed in this vital sector.