U.S.HEALTH WATCH

Opinion: Fix U.S. health care by ending overtreatment and overbilling

The Federalist column argues universal health care is out of reach while doctors waste medical resources; it is an opinion piece, not a study.

On air: Hank Ledger on BBN This Morning
Published 7:57 AM ET, Thursday, October 15, 2026

At a glance

First reported by The Federalist: “We Won’t Solve American Health Care Until Doctors Stop Overtreating And Overbilling”.
Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 7:57 AM ET on BBN This Morning, by Hank Ledger.
Topics: American, US.
BBN covered this story before: Iran persecuted me for my faith — the US offered me the American dream (October 15).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

The FederalistWe Won’t Solve American Health Care Until Doctors Stop Overtreating And Overbilling

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA column in The Federalist argues America won't get universal health care until doctors stop overtreating patients and overbilling for it.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSkip Waverly is outside a hospital this morning.
Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentHank, I'm standing outside a medical center, and behind me you can see an ambulance bay, a gift shop, and a sign that says parking is twenty-two dollars for the first hour.
Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentThe writer says that if America wants universal coverage, it has to face the waste of medical resources by the very doctors trusted to steward them.
Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentThis is an opinion column, so it's his argument, not a finding.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThat's a lot of weight for one column.
Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentIt is, and I slipped on the wet curb on the way in.
Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentA nurse offered me a scan, a specialist, and a follow-up visit, for a bruise on my pride.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorDid you take the scan?
Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentI declined, Hank, but they charged me for the clipboard anyway.
Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentI'd also like to say that a man who can handle a curb like this belongs at the anchor desk.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorNoted. So the column wants fewer unnecessary tests and fewer padded bills. Does anyone out there disagree with that part?
Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentNobody I could find, though the gift shop wants eleven dollars for a balloon. That's the whole column right there.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorEleven dollars.
Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentFor a balloon, Hank. And a man just handed me an invoice for standing here, so I'll be sending this one back to you.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThat's twelve flags this block, and I've thrown more than those Florida parents did.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorUnsportsmanlike conduct on the hospital, and on you for taking the clipboard.