Bad health
Snyder himself has suffered through some dark places in his life due to the onset of illness. As such, bad health in this book symbolizes a state of unhappiness, malaise, and uncertainty, which is exacerbated by the failings of the American healthcare system.
The connection between freedom and physical illness
Throughout the text, Snyder connects the idea of freedom with the idea of health, suggesting that one must be in good physical health in order to fully experience freedom. He tells us that "it was easy to grasp that freedom and health were connected when my will could not move my body, or when my body was attached to bags and tubes."
Fear
According to Snyder, fear is a state of panic and uncertainty, under which people are unable to prosper. Snyder argues that the American healthcare system causes a great deal of fear and panic in the population, and as a result, people are not in a position to demand certain rights such as happiness, fulfillment, and liberty.
Liberty
Liberty and freedom represent core American values and rights for Snyder. However, he argues that the approach to healthcare in America leads to a loss of liberty for American citizens.
