Healthcare was supposed to protect families and small businesses—not bankrupt them.

On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with Dr. Firouz Daneshgari, a former surgeon-scientist and hospital board member at major health systems including Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, who became a whistleblower after witnessing firsthand how financial incentives began outweighing patient outcomes.

With U.S. healthcare spending topping $5.6 trillion annually, Dr. Daneshgari explains:

Why over half of healthcare spending may be waste How hospitals evolved into revenue-driven “sick care” systems

Why employer-sponsored insurance distorted the doctor-patient relationship

The hidden cost drivers behind rising premiums and medical debt How direct primary care and health “guardianship” models restore transparency and trust 

Why cash-pay pricing dramatically lowers specialty and surgical costs How small businesses can cut healthcare expenses without sacrificing quality

What President Trump’s HSA subsidy proposal could mean for consumers Dr. Daneshgari shares how his BowTie Health Guardianship model combines subscription-based primary care, proactive chronic disease prevention, and upfront pricing to deliver affordable, high-quality care nationwide—without waiting for Congress to act.

For small business owners struggling with rising premiums and unpredictable costs, this episode offers a real-world alternative that puts patients—not hospital systems—back in control.