Greys Anatomy vs. The American Healthcare System

By Houyeme Kantas

Grey's Anatomy has been a cultural touchstone for over a decade, captivating audiences with its mix of medical drama, romance, and humour. But beyond the gripping storylines and memorable characters, the show has been a pioneer in bringing important issues to the forefront of American television and been praised for its willingness to tackle difficult topics related to the American healthcare system.

From issues of race and religion to the struggles faced by uninsured patients, Grey's Anatomy has shone a spotlight on some of the most pressing challenges facing the healthcare industry today and its lack of morality. In this article, we'll take a closer look at how the show has portrayed these issues and what impact it has had on viewers' perceptions of healthcare in America. Many of the cases that the doctors take on are probono, which underscores the fact that many people in the United States are unable to afford the medical care they need.

In Season 6, when Dr. Bailey is forced to choose between saving the life of a patient who needs a liver transplant and adhering to the hospital's strict transplant policy. In seasons seven and eight, Dr. Teddy Altman enters into a fake marriage with a patient named Henry so that she can share her insurance with him, as his congenital tumour condition has exhausted his insurance. Although their relationship becomes genuine, Henry eventually dies on the operating table during surgery performed by Teddy's protege, Cristina Yang, who is unaware that she is operating on Teddy's husband! Dr. Alex Karev in season 15, intentionally injures a patient in a way that allows their surgery to be reclassified as lifesaving, making it eligible for insurance coverage!

These are all just some of the many and many examples throughout the whole show, which highlight the ways in which insurance companies and hospital administrators can restrict access to life-saving treatments and the difficult ethical dilemmas that doctors must face as a result. And I think the show does a great job of using probono cases to shed light on the harsh realities of the American healthcare system and the ways in which it fails to serve the needs of all patients. By portraying the difficult decisions that doctors must make and the ethical dilemmas they face, the show encourages viewers to think critically about the healthcare system and advocate for change.

On the other hand, the show has shifted its focus from issues with insurance to tackling and coming after the corrupt healthcare system as a whole in America. More recently in the end of season 15, Meredith Grey becomes a champion for affordable healthcare and criminal justice reform, beginning with her community service work picking up trash on the side of the freeway. She becomes increasingly outraged at the lack of healthcare access for her fellow community service workers, such as her supervisor who can't see a specialist due to insurance delays and inability to take time off work.

Meredith, initially sheltered from these struggles as a wealthy and successful surgeon, is shocked and inspired to take action like never before. She pitches op-ed ideas to a website, but her rough pitches end up causing a PR disaster for her former employer, Grey Sloan Memorial. Despite the backlash, Meredith refuses to back down from her beliefs.

Meredith then finds herself skipping her community service to help her daughter with spina bifida which ends her up having to make up for it in jail. She meets her cellmate, a struggling single mother who is incarcerated for accidentally assaulting a police officer when she left her children home alone due to lack of childcare. Meredith pays her cellmate's bail upon release and becomes increasingly aware of her privilege throughout the season. She learns that informed activism is necessary for change. We see that this growth in Meredith's character is unusual for TV and highlights the importance of understanding the issues before taking action.

Grey's Anatomy has consistently included political themes in its storylines, presenting its characters with a perpetual moral dilemma: follow the rules of a flawed system or do what is right, even if it leads to negative consequences. This dilemma has resulted in compelling and relevant television, pushing the characters to explore the depths of human compassion. The show has depicted doctors saving the lives of children whose parents have refused medical treatment, doctors of colour treating white supremacists, and doctors grappling with the ethical implications of patients rejecting necessary medical procedures due to religious beliefs.

In conclusion, Grey's Anatomy has used its platform to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing America's healthcare system. Through its storylines and characters, the show has highlighted the systemic injustices faced by vulnerable communities, including people of colour, undocumented immigrants, and women. Grey's Anatomy has not shied away from critiquing America's immoral healthcare system and continues to provide a voice for those who are often overlooked.

The show's willingness to confront controversial issues head-on is a testament to its commitment to raising awareness and inspiring change. Greys anatomy is a show I encourage everyone to not give up on despite the many long seasons - It is definitely worth binge watching through all 19 of them especially before the new season is released this year, yes the show is still on! And with that I say may God be with you for the crazy emotional roller-coaster awaiting for you, because I for one sure is still recovering!