Dr. Stephen Soloway - Bad Medicine: The Horrors of American Healthcare

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR BAD MEDICINE

Bad Medicine is a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of Americas healthcare system. In gripping detail, Steve Soloway illustrates the frightening realities we face and what the nation must do going forward to ensure our survival. He also shares the secrets patients need to know to live healthier and happier lives. Fascinating and enormously valuable, each chapter of this profound examination will be cited for years to come.

Chris Christie, former New Jersey Governor

Bad Medicine gives a comprehensive and in-depth look at the challenges the healthcare industry faces and best practices on how to navigate these challenges. A must-read for anyone looking for solutions to problems. I have a full understanding of issues, both political and non-political, that interfere with the healthcare delivery that we have. I, like others, assumed all doctors were the same. Its clearly elucidated through the brilliant writing of Doctor Soloway that this cant be further from the truth.

Michael L. Testa, Jr., New Jersey State Senator

A dose of raw in-your-face truth for anyone who can handle it. Ive witnessed and experienced firsthand the atrocities described in this book. Due to negligent physicians, I was left with an outwardly visible tumor for two years before I was finally diagnosed with cancer. This book explains exactly how and why stories like mine are sadly more prevalent than not. It can help patients understand the ways the system is brokengiving them a chance to navigate it better!

Fame Cohen, owner, Fame Luxury Stone

With his laser sharp intellect, instinct, and acute knowledge of medicine, business, and politics, Dr. Soloway brings a unique combination of power to the table. His words are sincere, succinct, and powerful. He speaks echoes of all the problems in todays world that need to be addressed. It offers great solutions. It was a great read.

Rik Mehta, US Senate candidate

A must-read! It is somewhat cathartic to have a medical professional shed light on what so many patients are experiencing and cant make sense of! Very informative and empowering!

Sandy Cohen, New York/Hamptons artist

It truly is all about his patients and comfort of others. In the world of Bad Medicine many of you will realize that one good doctor, namely Dr. Soloway can make a difference in your own space and time and there is no room for anything but the best. The book is a fast enjoyable read!!

Cindy Montgomery, renowned national designer

Eye opening and very sobering. Dr. Soloway has given the patient/consumer great insight into the world of medicine: past/present, and future. First-class work.

N. L. DePace, MD, FACC

Dr. Soloway is a true expert with chutzpah. You have to possess serious chutzpah to take on the medical industryas you will see in his book. Stephen Soloway is New York brash and his book provides vital insights into a subject where many lives are on the line, while remaining entertaining at the same time.

Michael W. Cutler, senior special agent, INS (Ret.)

This is the first and only book to reveal the perils of medicine today, and he reveals the shocking Truth. A MUST-READ.

Martha Boneta, President of Vote America First

Never have I read a book so truthfully sad yet informative to the medical underground! You will enjoy his blunt, direct, no-nonsense approach to medicine and the faults of our medical system as he sees it from an insiders view. I strongly recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn more about our medical system, arthritis, self-determination, and Never Giving Up.

George A. Dendrinos, MD

This book will be a catalyst for positive change as it will save lives and improve the quality of lives.

Christopher J. Lotz, self-employed

Copyright 2020 by Stephen Soloway

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Mary Mohr, BuzzFactory

Cover photo credit: Stephen Soloway

ISBN: 978-1-5107-6243-5

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-5107-6245-9

Printed in the United States of America

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

My name is Dr. Stephen Soloway, and Im the best.

The sharpshooter. The caviar. The Rolls Royce of Rheumatology.

Muhammad Ali called himself the greatest, and didnt win every fight, nor do I get a diagnosis 100 percent of the time! Im totally one of a kind: a novel thinker, nonconformist, and after you read this book, I know youll believe me.

Lets get one thing straight before we move forward: Political correctness is killing our country. Of course, thats not our only problem. (If it were, I wouldnt need three hundred pages to talk about it!) Political correctness is one of many societal trends that are crippling our great nation. Well never solve them if people cant get serious. Lets get serious from the start: our country is in a tailspin, and our forefathers are rolling over in their graves.

Ive never had a problem telling it like it is. Call it no filter, call me Archie Bunker, or call me Dr. Trump (as my Republican patients do). My mouth has always been my biggest ally and my biggest enemy.

Im no bloviator, nor am I ultracrepidarian. I dont prevaricate, and I am supercilious. (Can you tell I am a lexicon?) In many cases, what I say could save your life.

I must share with you a story of my daily life. Patients come from near and far with serious health problems. It is rare that I get easy patients who have simple shoulder, knee, or back painor other easy problems, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, heel spurs, tennis elbow, trigger fingers, or plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff issues, and other things that we refer to as soft tissue rheumatism. Sadly, nobody can do the joints like me. Im not practicing. Im solving problems.

I intimidate patients due to my strong personality. (Im actually a teddy bear.) I am humbled and sympathetic toward the needs of the patients. I emphasize to patients, You have come to me with a problem. My plan or medication is a problem, as well. One problem is exchanged for another untreated illness is worse than the potential side effects of a proposed treatment. I am very forthright with my patients, some of whom travel over three hours, or three days, to get here, then sit in the waiting room for another three hours. I understand this to be frustrating. They instilled trust in me by coming; however, sometimes they do not want to follow the plan. I ask that they keep this trust in me since they sought my expertise, and I explain that new medications have destroyed crippling arthritis. What Im trying to tell you is that the crippling arthritis is so well treatable that its better to have than the so-called good arthritis, which has fewer treatment options. Its unfortunate that some come only to vent and not to get better. Eventually, they come around and comprehend the plan, apologize, and wish they had started treatment sooner. This philosophy has now been working for thirty years.