HMA Vital Viewpoints on Healthcare

Amy Bassano is a Managing Director at Health Management Associates and a nationally recognized Medicare policy expert. In this episode of Vital Viewpoints on Healthcare, we unpack the complexities of Medicare innovation and examine where the program is headed next. Drawing on decades of experience—including her leadership at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation—Amy breaks down what makes value-based care so complex, why scaling successful models is harder than it sounds, and how Medicare Advantage continues to reshape the healthcare landscape. She also discusses how financial incentives, regulatory constraints, and the urgent need for system-wide efficiency are shaping the next chapter of Medicare policy. This conversation offers practical insights for policymakers, providers, and advocates navigating the future of one of the nation's most essential programs. 

John Eller, managing principal at Health Management Associates, joins Vital Viewpoints on Healthcare to discuss the critical role of resilience in local health services. As communities navigate shifting federal policies, economic uncertainty, and natural disasters, John shares insights on how agencies can remain nimble, collaborative, and innovative. Drawing from his extensive experience in Medicaid transformation, behavioral health, and social services leadership, he highlights the power of community trust and cross-sector partnerships in maintaining stability during turbulent times.

Maddy Shea is a public health leader and passionate advocate for housing as a critical component of community health. In this episode of Vital Viewpoints on Healthcare, she shares insights on how housing and healthcare sectors can break down silos to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations. Drawing from her experience at the CMS Office of Minority Health and her work with health plans, affordable housing organizations, and policymakers, Maddy explores the challenges and opportunities in aligning incentives, leveraging policy tools such as Medicaid waivers, and fostering public-private partnerships. Join us as we discuss innovative solutions to housing instability, aging in place, and how data connectivity can drive better care coordination.

Jennifer Bridgeforth, associate principal at Health Management Associates, dives into the complexities of fraud, waste, and abuse in healthcare, examining the blurred lines between inefficient processes and intentional misconduct. The conversation explores how value-based care, provider education, and technology could pave the way for more efficient and patient-centered healthcare. Listen to discover insights on navigating these challenges in a shifting healthcare landscape.

Tom Cochran, partner at 720 Strategies, is a renowned expert in digital communication and healthcare public relations. Tom reflects on the broader impact of digital tools, acknowledging both their potential to connect us and their unintended consequences, such as cognitive overload and societal fragmentation. The conversation highlights practical strategies for navigating transitions in leadership—whether in politics or healthcare—and emphasizes the importance of understanding, listening, and adapting communication strategies to fit the moment. Tom leaves us with a reminder of the irreplaceable value of face-to-face interaction in an increasingly digital world.

Kevin Kirby, managing director at Health Management Associates, gives a closer look at the evolution of Medicare's drug coverage and the policies that have transformed patient access and affordability. From Clinton era ideas, to the launch of the Medicare Modernization Act and then the Affordable Care Act, Kevin has advised clients as these significant milestones have shaped and reshaped Medicare's drug benefits. He discusses the implications of the Inflation Reduction Act, raising important questions about sustainability and cost control. The episode will explore how these pivotal policies will impact access to treatment and the sustainability of Medicare in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. 

Uma Ahluwalia, managing principal at HMA, discusses the importance of keeping families at the center of children's health and welfare services and highlights how government should provide services in support of the family unit. The conversation emphasizes that addressing family issues like poverty, trauma, and lack of resources is key to improving child welfare. She also explores the need for integrated services—across health, behavioral health, education, and safety—to address the interconnected challenges families face. Uma shares why it's so important to sustain the commitment to long-term transformation, proper funding, and enabling local governments to provide holistic, family-centered care.

Caprice Knapp, a seasoned health economist with over 20 years of experience in Medicaid and healthcare policy, shares her journey through various roles in government, academia, and private insurance. In this episode, Caprice offers a unique perspective on the challenges of measuring quality in healthcare, the importance of data-driven decision-making, and how global healthcare models can inspire innovation in Medicaid. From pediatric palliative care to cost-effective policy solutions, Caprice sheds light on how improving quality of care can transform healthcare outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Erin Russell is a principal at Health Management Associates and joins our podcast to discuss the importance emphasizing harm reduction as a compassionate approach to drug policy. She shares her journey from volunteering at a syringe service program to becoming deeply invested in harm reduction, highlighting how these programs offer critical support and connections to treatment and reduce overdose deaths. Erin also explores the impact of drug policy on drug-related harms, advocating for the need to overcome stigmas that impede treatment. This podcast is being released the same week as International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), which is observed on Saturday, August 30th. In honor of this important day, check out HMA's special blog post highlighting the importance of harm reduction efforts in connection with IOAD at this link. #TogetherWeCan #IOAD2024 #EndOverdose

Linda Follenweider, an advanced practice registered nurse and board-certified family nurse practitioner with extensive experience in correctional healthcare, discusses the critical gaps in continuity of care for incarcerated individuals. She emphasizes how many receive necessary medical care while in jail or prison but struggle to maintain this care upon release. Highlighting the significant health risks and economic costs associated with this disconnect, she advocates for integrating correctional healthcare into the broader healthcare continuum. The episode showcases the opportunities presented by adopting routine screening questions about incarceration history to ensure better health outcomes and resource utilization. 

Ryan Howells is a leading expert in digital health policy and interoperability from Leavitt Partners, an HMA company. Ryan has been a catalyst for change since the early days of the internet to his current role in advancing consumer-directed health data exchange through application programming interfaces (API). In this episode, he discusses the evolution of digital health, the challenges of data accessibility, and the transformative potential of AI in healthcare. Whether you're a healthcare professional or simply interested in healthcare innovation, this podcast offers practical solutions and visionary insights that can help reimagine the way we deliver and experience healthcare.

Debbi Witham is a principal at Health Management Associates behavioral health practice group. Debbi shares her in depth understanding of the complexities of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment systems and highlights the critical need for quality measures and sustainable healthcare funding. Debbi emphasizes the importance of not throwing more money into systems that are not producing outcomes, and that states have an opportunity for states to course correct. The conversation explores topics such as the impact of reimbursement on care delivery, the urgency of addressing addiction within the larger healthcare ecosystem and provides insights into the necessary steps for coordinating a community response that improves outcomes.

Tim Murray is a principal and senior consulting actuary of Wakely Consulting Group, an HMA Company. With over two decades of experience as a health actuary, Tim illuminates the challenges and opportunities within Medicare, particularly focusing on value assessment and the pivotal role of data collection. Digging into the complexities of Medicare Advantage, he discusses predictive modeling, innovative supplemental benefits, and the need for structured data metrics to drive sustainable healthcare solutions.

R.J. Briscione is a principal with the HMA Strategy and Transformation Practice. R.J. shares insights gained from his experience in Medicaid managed care, CVS business development, and how he made the leap into healthcare from aeronautics. R.J. shares key insights on addressing food insecurity, nutrition education, and tailored food interventions that measurably drive better health outcomes. Join us as we highlight the vital role of food in healthcare and uncover actionable strategies for community organizations looking to impact patient outcomes by improving upstream determinants of health.

Leticia Reyes-Nash is a principal in HMA's community strategies practice and an expert in healthcare equity and innovation in healthcare service delivery. Leticia shares her inspiring journey from political and community organizing to her work in health policy, highlighting the importance of addressing health equity and the challenges within healthcare systems. She discusses strategies for integrating equity into business practices, emphasizing the need for continuous quality improvement, humility, and patience in healthcare initiatives.

Liz Wroe is a principal at Leavitt Partners DC office and former Senate health policy director. Liz talks about the evolution of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), sharing her experiences during the ACA's passage, repeal efforts, and stabilization of the individual market. She discusses challenges in bending the cost curve, the impact of ACA subsidies and silver loading, and the need for more honest conversations in healthcare policy.

This episode of Vital Viewpoints on Healthcare features Dr. Gina Lasky, managing director at Health Management Associates, offering her unique perspective on the persistent challenges surrounding behavioral healthcare. Drawing from her extensive experience and research, Dr. Lasky delves into the complex reasons behind the fragmentation of our behavioral health system and the role incentives play in exacerbating this issue. This episode is for anyone exploring innovative strategies to reform the current reimbursement framework to align incentives for patient-centered outcomes to foster collaboration across disciplines to promote whole-person well-being.