Preventable: The Inside Story of How Leadership Failures, Politics, and Selfishness Doomed the U.S. Coronavirus Response

(Hardback)

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From former head of Obamacare Andy Slavitt, Preventable is the definitive inside account of the United States' failed response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Slavitt chronicles what he saw and how much could have been prevented -- an unflinching investigation of the cultural, political, and economic drivers that led to unnecessary loss of life. With unparalleled access to the key players throughout the government on both sides of the aisle, the principal public figures, as well as the people working on the frontline involved in fighting the virus, Slavitt brings you into the room as fateful decisions are made and focuses on the people at the center of the political system, health care system, patients, and caregivers. The story that emerges is one of a country in which -- despite the heroics of many -- bad leadership, political and cultural fractures, and an unwillingness to sustain sacrifice light a fuse that is difficult to extinguish. Written in the tradition of The Big Short, Preventable continues Andy Slavitt's important work of addressing the uncomfortable realities that brought America to this place. And, he puts forth the solutions that will prevent us from being here again, ensuring a better, stronger country for everyone.

Reviews

"Slavitt draws upon his own insider access in Preventable ... It's a unique status that gave him direct access to decision-makers, who appeared to confide in him." --The Washington Post

"[Preventable] is an informative examination of what went so horribly wrong in the federal government's response." --New York Times Book Review

"Ever since the pandemic began, and well before that, Andy Slavitt has been an indispensable voice of reason and urgency when it comes to America's health. This book comes at a crucial moment as he explains, in accessible and engaging terms, how we got here and what must happen next." --Pete Buttigieg, Former Presidential Candidate and Mayor of South Bend, Indiana

"Informative and often enraging account of 'missed opportunit[ies]' in the U.S. government's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic ... offers critical insights for mitigating the next public health crisis." --Publishers Weekly

"A page-turning thriller detailing the tick-tock of the worst public health disaster in a century." --Sanjay Gupta, Chief Medical Correspondent, CNN

One of the most well-connected figures in medicine and health policy... He's become a go-to account for the daily inside scoop on where the U.S. is progressing and where it's failing. [His Twitter thread] is also a good source of a dose of humanity -- including his viral thread inviting people to share a photo and short caption that best summarizes their life in the pandemic. It will make you laugh and cry. --Elemental

"He's not swaggery; he doesn't come across as particularly commanding. But then leadership isn't always blustery or elected. Slavitt is a policy wonk turned cage rattler, and in this time of pandemic, he's emerged on Twitter and TV as one of the more straightforward, consistent sources of information, a health care administrator with a talent for getting senators and CEOs to call him back." --The Chicago Tribune

"As CMS administrator, he was able to work across the aisle, though quietly, more than some predecessors. His pragmatic problem-solving (he dislikes the word "technocrat") approach helped him build good ties with much of the health care industry and many governors, including those in red and purple states." --Politico

"During his tenure at CMS, he has repeatedly proven to be an effective problem solver that engages stakeholders to craft consensus-based solutions." --American Medical Association

"He's as knowledgeable about health care as anyone I've met. He's one of the few people that can really integrate all of the aspects." --Bill George, former Medtronic CEO

"With decades of experience delivering health care services to millions of Americans, Andy has developed a track record as an effective and innovative leader who gets results. As acting administrator at CMS, Andy has played a crucial role in leading efforts to combat health care fraud, reform health care delivery, and improve health outcomes." --Amy Klobuchar

"Andy pairs a deep understanding of U.S. health care with a unique ability to execute honed over years as a private-sector leader. And as the bipartisan make up of United States of Care demonstrates, Andy's expertise is recognized by Republicans and Democrats.'' --Denis McDonough, Former White House Chief of Staff

Author Bio

ANDY SLAVITT served as the Acting Administrator of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services under President Obama from 2015 to 2017. He is the host of the podcast #IntheBubble, a top-ranked podcast on life during the global pandemic. Slavitt is currently Board Chair of United States of Care, a national non-profit health advocacy organization he founded, as well as a founding partner of Town Hall Ventures, a healthcare investment firm that serves underrepresented communities. He is co-chair of a national initiative on the future of health care at the Bipartisan Policy Center. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Business School, he lives in Minnesota with his wife and two sons.