I’m far from a movie fan…Diner is my favorite. The kids always give me a hard time.

Sometimes a movie strikes me.

The Truman Show

Truman Burbank had no idea his entire life had been manipulated, orchestrated, controlled. His life was for the benefit of those that controlled him and those watching at home.

Truman was the star of a grand money-making enterprise. He did not know it. He was not told about it. And he was not paid for it. To be honest, he was robbed!

And while the man in control and those witting and unwitting accomplices all had innocent and good intentions (sort of), Truman was manipulated. It’s very unsettling.

Through highs and lows, Truman carries on. Until he finds himself nearly capsized in his sailboat and whipped up in a raging ocean only to find the stairs to the exit on the set.

The man in control tried to tell him not to leave. He pleaded that the environment he created for Truman was better for him than “the real world”. Free will be damned!

I’m with Truman. Gotta get out!

So what does that have to do with health insurance?

I often say that the current healthcare show is very similar to The Truman Show. And you and I are Truman Burbank.

All of the actors are there. The healthcare conglomerates that offer insurance, claims administration, PPOs and HMOs, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, brokers, Medicare, Medicaid, TriCare and the legislators, federal, state and local and even your employer. They’re no different than the producers and characters of the show, the advertisers of the show and the viewers at home. They all benefit.

And you and I are Truman Burbank.

Have you ever felt like the healthcare and health insurance system is manipulating you? Tell me how in an email to scottwdowling@scottwdowling.com​

Your Health Savings Account is the foundation of your freedom to exit the healthcare show. So you are on the right path!

If you haven’t started with your HSA yet, I have a free course upcoming to show you how to set yours up for success in 2025.

I use Lively HSA for my health savings account. You can learn more about Lively here and open your free account, too.

Thanks, as always, for spending a couple of minutes with me. Please feel free to share this letter with your family, friends and co-workers…even your boss!

Cheers!

SWD