Health Beyond the Blog: “Common People” on Black Mirror

“Common People” reveals the financial burdens of an expensive healthcare system and the emotional toll on patients.

by Victoria Charles

Episode 1 of the show Black Mirror, “Common People,” touches on the financial implications of a healthcare system built in the future. In this episode, a woman, named Amanda, finds out that she has a brain tumor. A company offers her a solution wherein they will implant a medical device called Rivermind to keep her alive. But the only caveat is that it runs on a subscription model.

The  device is costly, but her husband is willing to take on extra hours to afford it. Over time, the prices and subscription models continue to increase, making the device less accessible. Without regular payments, Amanda cannot keep up with the updates on the medical device. Throughout this episode, we see the detriments of financial strain on the couple as a whole and individually on their physical and mental state.

This episode sheds light on the inaccessibility of our healthcare system for many populations. Many American families struggle to receive decent treatment that should be available to all due to expensive healthcare procedures and drugs. These families also experience worse secondary outcomes due to their reduced access to care. Capitalism tends to exploit essential services in healthcare because it is a necessity for all, as compared to other countries where healthcare is universal. Overall, this episode exposes the harsh realities of a healthcare system built on profit rather than prioritizing the health of all.

The whole series of Black Mirror is available on Netflix.