The Hospital: Life, Death, and Dollars in a Small American Town

Poverty, down to the last dollar, is unimaginable to most of us. In //The Hospital//, subtitled //Life, Death, and Dollars in a small American Town//, such reality offers a disturbing revelation. Brian Alexander spares no punches as he describes the independent hospital in Bryan, a town in northwest Ohio where medical, economic, and social challenges never let up. Across the country, such hospitals are scooped up by large medical consortiums, making it increasingly difficult to retain nonprofit independent status.

Alexander draws attention to the problems on all fronts. He draws on national statistics to demonstrate the costs that are confronted. Phil Ennen draws his special attention as the CEO who has been responsible for keeping the hospital afloat for more than 20 years.
But this is not all. The book unflinchingly describes the suffering in a community where obesity, diabetes, suicide, sickness, and terminal disease are increasing, where too many cannot afford treatment nor foresee a future without debt. Keith is among several individuals the author befriends, a man whose health and personal life persistently deteriorate but who always insists, ‘Doin good, buddy. Doin’ good.’
This is an awesome book, hopefully in the running for a well-deserved award.