Preventable, Andy Slavitt
Preventable, Andy Slavitt
6 Rating(s)
List: $26.99 | Sale: $18.89
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Preventable
The Inside Story of How Leadership Failures, Politics, and Selfishness Doomed the U.S. Coronavirus Response

Author: Andy Slavitt

Narrator: Bradley Whitford

Unabridged: 9 hr 53 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/15/2021


Synopsis

The definitive, behind-the-scenes look at the U.S. Coronavirus crisis from one of the
most recognizable and influential voices in healthcare

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.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press

“Painfully good. The book could have been called, ‘Outrageous.’ The story Andy Slavitt tells is not just about Trump’s monumental failures but also about the deeper ones that started long before, with our health system, our politics, and more.” —Atul Gawande, author of Being Mortal

About Andy Slavitt

ANDY SLAVITT was President Biden’s White House Senior Advisor for the Covid response at the beginning of his term where he oversaw direct communication with the public on the pandemic. He has led many of the nation’s most important health care initiatives, serving as President Obama’s head of Medicare and Medicaid and overseeing the turnaround, implementation and defense of the Affordable Care Act. Slavitt is the “outsider’s insider”, serving in leading private and non-profit roles in addition to his government services. he is founder and Board Chair Emeritus of United States of Care, a national non-profit health advocacy organization as well as a founding partner of Town Hall Ventures, a healthcare firm that invests in underrepresented communities. He co-chaired a national initiative on the future of health care at the Bipartisan Policy Center. He chronicles what goes on inside the government and across the nation at town halls, in USA Today, and on Twitter. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Business School, he and his wife have two grown sons.


Reviews

Goodreads review by John on February 07, 2022

Like the other 'reviewers' I am yet to read this book, which won't be published until April, but I thought I might provide some balance by heaping some effusive praise: the best book I've never read. Prof Sridar has (probably) written an insightful, compelling narrative of the COVID-19 pandemic. She......more

Goodreads review by Vivek on February 07, 2022

Came here to balance the karma. Here are 5 stars for an unread book to counter the trolls. Seriously goodreader should not be allowing reviews for unreleased books......more

Goodreads review by Ali on May 24, 2022

I've strongly recommended this book to three people in the week since I have finished it - that's really high for any book, and especially so for dense non-fiction read I'm well aware won't appeal to most people. It's also high for a book with a very big problem: which is that it was finished in Aug......more

Goodreads review by Ana on September 10, 2022

Memory is a funny thing, isn't it? COVID is still so recent, so fresh and (most concerningly) possibly not over. And yet reading again about the early days of 2020 reminded me how different things are now and just exactly what it was that we went through. Shridhar takes on a vast and complex subject......more

Goodreads review by Roland on July 17, 2022

This book is an excellent overview of the Covid pandemic written by a scientist who was involved first hand in the communications to the public. She manages to convey the key concepts in layman’s language. She focuses not only on the direct consequences of the pandemic (hospitalisations, deaths, etc......more


Quotes

“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