Are you Insane?

What does a show about a concierge doctor that serves the elite of the Hamptons have to do with Libertarianism? Everything.

Spoilers ahead

Contrary to popular belief, libertarian and conservative criticism of American health system is not limited to public health. As Royal Pains show, private care is flawed as well, with the tendency to make economic/political decisions instead of medical ones in serving patients. Not to mention the medical bureaucracy that shutout innovative doctors like Hank Lawson of a medical career.

As Hank’s PA mentions, concierge physicians are how medicine was practiced before there was a healthcare system.

So wouldn’t Hank serving as a physician to the rich and elite only serve to benefit them exclusively? Not necessarily. As libertarian principals state, if individuals are allowed to pursue their own self-interest, society benefits.

The key here is Hank’s self-interest. It’s definitely not a mercenary one, though having to payoff massive debt and the nice beaches are motivators. He is, of course, staying in the Hamptons for mostly altruistic reasons (I say mostly because I’ve accepted the fact that having a romantic interest is a prerequisite for television shows).

As a private practitioner, Hank can be Dr. MacGuyver . I’m not someone to make predictions on a show, but I can see him make enough bank from his rich clients to treat poorer patients pro-bono. Plus, then there’s his new lady-friend’s free clinic project. Maybe he will chip in medically and financially. Everyone wins, probably except the hospital that canned Hank. Thankfully, the show won’t be pushing universal healthcare as the solution.

I look forward to checking out the rest of the season. Beyond the glitz there is potential to deliver a Libertarian message on American healthcare. Then there is also nothing wrong with looking at hot babes and hotter cars.