Thread by @ProPublica

1/ US healthcare system wastes about $765 billion a year. For the last year, we’ve been writing about all the ways these billions are wasted—everything from eye drops to ear piercing.

Let us tell you about them all...

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2/ We wrote about all the good stuff hospitals are throwing away—from $1.31 surgical masks to bipolar forceps costing $299. propub.li/2BFzLtM

3/ We found that nursing homes are flushing, burning or throwing out tons of valuable prescription drugs every year worth millions of dollars. propub.li/2AViEjS

4/ During a doctor’s visit, reporter @marshall_allen discovered another reason Americans pay so much for healthcare—a specialty pill made of two common medication with a heavy price tag. propub.li/2AV7Uln

5/ Hospitals and pharmacies are required to throw away expired drugs even though FDA has known for years expired drugs are safe and potent for years longer. We wrote about it: propub.li/2AVJ5WK

6/ Drug companies make eyedrops larger than a human eye can hold and patients end up paying for the waste. propub.li/2BFSrto

7/ We also made a video about it.

Check it out 👇

8/ And we wrote about “overtreatment” — unnecessary tests, higher-than-needed levels of care or surgeries and sometimes operating room ear piercings costing $1877.86
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9/ And here’s the thing: Health care leaders and policymakers have solutions to stop all these wastes 👇

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10/ We started this project, too, by asking folks to help us out. Your tips and stories were tremendously helpful in our reporting. Thank you.

11/ Next year @marshall_allen will be taking a look at the insurance industry and is also looking for help. If you know something, let us know: propub.li/2BgRzrE

12/ And for updates, subscribe to our weekly newsletter for updates: propub.li/2AYSdJW