Cover art for podcast An Arm and a Leg

An Arm and a Leg

121 EpisodesProduced by An Arm and a LegWebsite

A show about why health care costs so freaking much, and what we can (maybe) do about it. Hosted by award-winning reporter Dan Weissmann (Marketplace, 99 Percent Invisible, Planet Money, Reveal). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19:56

“The Golden Age of Older Rectums” (for investors)

A new golden age is dawning, and it starts where the sun don’t shine.


A listener got a pricey quote for her colonoscopy, but the medical practice behind it seems like “the only game in town.” We scope it out and learn the surprising reason why: Investors have decided your butt is a goldmine. 


Private equity investors have made their way into many areas of our lives. Now, they’re at the gastroenterologist’s —and lots of other medical specialists, too. We learned why these doctors are selling their practices to private equity, and what it could mean for your health care and your bills. 


Correction notice: The original version of this story mis-identified the organization where Claire McAndrew worked when we spoke to her in 2019. Whoops. We've updated the audio file, so it's correct now.


Here's a transcript for this episode.


As always, we'd love you to:



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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