Exploring Alternatives to “Sick Care”
A conversation with Roundstone Insurance CEO Mike Schroeder and RLMI’s Dr. Ted Barnett
Key Takeaways
Rochester Lifestyle Medicine Institute (RLMI) Founding President Dr. Ted Barnett joined Roundstone Insurance CEO Mike Schroeder on the Healthcare Forward podcast to discuss “Beyond Sick Care” and the rising costs of chronic disease.
Most chronic diseases, and the high costs that follow, are largely preventable through lifestyle change.
Lifestyle medicine focuses on prevention and healing rather than symptom management, offering a more affordable path to better health
Schroeder shares his own success story after completing Jumpstart RLMI’s 15-Day Whole-Food Plant-Based Jumpstart, noting both improved health and lower food costs.
Together, they explore what it means to build a healthcare model that truly prioritizes patients over profits.
A Shared Vision for Affordable, Effective Health Care
In a recent episode of Healthcare Forward: Inside the Self-Funding Revolution, Rochester Lifestyle Medicine Institute (RLMI) Founding President Dr. Ted Barnett joined Mike Schroeder, CEO of Roundstone Insurance, to discuss what drives healthcare costs and how lifestyle medicine offers a better model for both individuals and employers.
Beyond Sick Care: The Prescription for a Healthier, More Affordable Future
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Dr. Barnett explained that nearly 90 percent of U.S. healthcare spending goes toward chronic conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. These diseases are not only preventable but can often be treated and reversed through lifestyle change.
“So much of what we deal with are these illnesses that are completely optional,” Dr. Barnett Explained.
The conversation examined how our healthcare system profits from sickness rather than wellness. As costs rise, both patients and businesses absorb the consequences, even though the most powerful forms of care are simple, low-cost, and within reach.
What Does Real Health Care Look Like?
Schroeder, who completed RLMI’s 15-Day Whole-Food Plant-Based Jumpstart, shared how quickly he saw results. Within weeks, his blood pressure improved, his energy returned, and his grocery costs even went down!
“A full week was a couple hundred dollars.” he shared, “You contrast that with going to the grocery store and buying the stuff that’s killing you, and it’s a multiple of that.”
His story illustrates what real health care looks like in practice. Movement, sleep, stress management, and social connection are all foundational Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine, and none of them require costly interventions.
Nutrition, however, is still the pillar that sparks the most debate. Dr. Barnett noted that while most people agree on the benefits of exercise and rest, opinions about food often diverge. RLMI focuses on the approach most supported by evidence: a low-fat, whole-food, plant-based diet.
How Lifestyle Medicine Improves Health and Lowers Costs
A lifestyle-based approach does more than prevent disease. It can reduce or even eliminate the need for medications, procedures, and repeated doctor visits. Participants in Jumpstart often report lower cholesterol, improved glucose control, and greater vitality within weeks.
The financial impact extends to organizations as well. Schroeder explained that healthier employees lead to lower insurance claims and premiums. “There is money in having a healthier workforce,” he said.
For individuals, the savings are clear. Whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables cost less than processed foods and animal products, yet they deliver better long-term outcomes. Eating this way can lower medical bills and increase quality of life at the same time.
Turning Insight into Action
During the conversation, Dr. Barnett reflected on one of the most powerful truths behind lifestyle medicine: the body naturally wants to heal. When people make small, consistent changes, the results can be profound.
To explore these ideas in depth, listen to the full Healthcare Forward episode featuring Dr. Barnett and Mike Schroeder. Their exchange offers a grounded, hopeful look at how affordable, evidence-based care can transform both individual health and the system as a whole.
If you’re ready to take your next step, learn more about RLMI’s 15-Day Whole-Food Plant-Based Jumpstart and connect with others pursuing sustainable change through the RLMI Community.
For clinicians and medical professionals interested in contributing to this movement, explore opportunities to partner with RLMI on your whole-food, plant-based research.
