> There is zero financial incentive for a physician to prescribe a statin.

Well, doctors make money when they prescribe drugs: Patients will make more doctor visits when they are on prescription medications than if they are not.

> The data showing benefit...

The reason for the benefit is not fully understood. The argument is that the benefit comes not from lowering cholesterol but from reducing inflammation and stabilizing plaque. The medical community has no incentive to research this because they are raking in money, and any further research could only slow down the gravy train at best.