BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A new documentary film about the increased cost of visiting hospital systems across the country will premiere in Bethlehem this month.
"American Hospitals: Healing A Broken System" was produced by Lehigh Valley businessman Richard Master and Easton filmmaker Vincent Mondillo.
- "American Hospitals: Healing A Broken System" is a documentary about the rising cost of hospital care
- A businessman and filmmaker, both from the Lehigh Valley, produced the film
- It will be screened in Bethlehem on April 24
It takes a close look at the consolidation of hospitals and larger networks, creating regional monopolies.
The film will make its Lehigh Valley debut on April 24 at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema at ArtsQuest Center, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem.
The documentary also will be screened in community theaters across the country in May.
The filmmakers say that after years of research, the piece examines possible solutions to the problem, which they say is driving up healthcare costs.
"We thought it was important to look under the hood at how hospitals are operating in terms of cost and access and equity and a range of other issues," said Mondillo. "Most people hear about the $6 Tylenol, but they really don't understand the way hospitals work."
"Hospitals have become increasingly commercialized over the last 50 years."Richard Master, Lehigh Valley businessman
"Hospitals have become increasingly commercialized over the last 50 years," Master said. "Non-profit hospitals now generate substantial revenue and bottom-line returns which they characterize as 'earned excess' rather than profit."
'We need to raise public awareness'
Master is chief executive officer of MCS Industries Inc. in Palmer Township. He also founded a non-profit business organization, Unfinished Business Foundation, that examines the effects of untenable healthcare costs.
Mondillo, his partner, said he hopes the documentary will start a national conversation on the topic. "We have a wide variety of experts and then we also talk to physicians and then a couple of patients you know, who had issues with cost as well," he said.
“First, we need to raise public awareness of how these mergers have led to increasingly complex pricing structures that are virtually impossible for the average patient or layman to understand."Richard Master, one of the creators of the film "American Hospitals: Healing A Broken System"
Master said he and Mondillo have three goals in producing the movie.
“First, we need to raise public awareness of how these mergers have led to increasingly complex pricing structures that are virtually impossible for the average patient or layman to understand" Master said.
"Second is to explore solutions that have been proven to work in other states and around the world and the third is to stimulate a discussion between the consumers, healthcare providers and hospital executives about these issues and solutions."
Master and Mondillo have worked together on other documentaries, including "Fix It: Healthcare At The Tipping Point;" "Big Pharma: Market Failure," and "Big Money Agenda: Democracy on the Brink."
You can watch the trailer for American Hospitals: Healing a Broken System below.
