Final answer:
The United States' response to the epidemic prioritized capital interests over public welfare, which is a significant cause of its failure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of the question is the United States' response to the epidemic, specifically the prioritization of capital interests over public welfare. This can be seen as a true portrayal of the US response to the epidemic and a cause for the failure of the response. It is important to note the profit-seeking nature of capitalism, which often results in prioritizing capital over life.