Tradeoffs

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When it comes to fixing America's costly and complicated health care system, the truth is: there are no silver bullets, no cure-alls. There are only Tradeoffs. Long-time health care reporter Dan Gorenstein hosts an examination of health care, policy, and people...new episodes every other Wednesday.

Tradeoffs


    • May 22, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 20m AVG DURATION
    • 327 EPISODES

    4.7 from 345 ratings Listeners of Tradeoffs that love the show mention: health care, healthcare, policy, data, real people, timely, dan, complex, well produced, presented, issues, next episode, clear, human, topic, important, engaging, discussion, needed, information.


    Ivy Insights

    The Tradeoffs podcast is an exceptional resource that sheds light on complex healthcare matters by blending top research with first-person narratives. It provides valuable insights into healthcare policy and helps listeners understand the challenges we face while offering actionable steps for improvement. I have been a fan of this podcast for years, as it covers a wide range of health policy topics and presents them in a short and accessible format.

    One of the best aspects of The Tradeoffs podcast is its ability to make complicated healthcare topics easy to understand. By blending top research with personal narratives, the show strikes a balance between scholarly evidence and relatable stories. This approach makes the content both engaging for those who work in the healthcare space and accessible to non-experts. The episodes are well-researched and provide in-depth analysis of important issues, such as gun violence research or VBID (Value-Based Insurance Design).

    Furthermore, the podcast's short format is another strength. Each episode is concise but packed with valuable information, allowing listeners to gain knowledge without feeling overwhelmed. Additionally, the host's delivery is engaging, maintaining a steady pace that keeps listeners interested throughout.

    While The Tradeoffs podcast has many strengths, there are some potential areas for improvement. One aspect that could be enhanced is the inclusion of male guests. While the show features various perspectives from experts and individuals impacted by healthcare policies, expanding diversity among guests would provide a more comprehensive view.

    In conclusion, The Tradeoffs podcast is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in understanding and improving our healthcare system. It brilliantly combines research with personal narratives to make complex issues accessible to all listeners. With its short format and engaging style, this podcast stands out as a must-listen for those seeking to gain insights into the intricacies of healthcare policy.



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    Latest episodes from Tradeoffs

    What Cuts to Medicaid and Obamacare Could Mean for Hospitals, Insurers and You

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 25:53


    As Republicans consider major changes to Medicaid and Obamacare, we asked a leading economist about the shockwaves these sharp policy shifts could send throughout the entire health care system.Guests:Jonathan Gruber, Ford Professor of Economics, MITLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What Happens When Cops Refuse to Respond to Mental Health Calls?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 21:23


    Why are a handful of sheriff's departments in California refusing to respond to some 911 calls that involve a person with mental illness?Guest:Lee Romney, Journalist and co-host of November In My SoulLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Check out Lee's full coverage for CalMatters.Be sure to listen to Tradeoffs special series The Fifth Branch that examines what it looks like when one community dramatically changes how it responds to people in crisis.Join us for a virtual discussion with Penn LDI on May 16 at 2 pm ET about the changes to the vaccine approval processes that were announced this month by the Trump administration requiring that all “new” vaccines be tested against a placebo. Learn more and register here.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Presenting: First Opinion: The Invisibility of Good Public Health Work

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 33:08


    Guests:Torie Bosch, Editor, First Opinion, STAT NewsMichelle Taylor, Shelby County Division Director for Health Services, Shelby County, TennesseeRaynard Washington, director of Mecklenburg County Public Health, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Learn more here.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Fighting Measles and Anti-Vax Views in West Texas

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 20:12


    Katherine Wells, the public health director in Lubbock, Texas, describes her fight to stop a multi-state measles outbreak despite a chaotic reorganization of federal health agencies.Guest:Katherine Wells, Director, Lubbock Public HealthLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What Republican Health Cuts Could Mean for People with Disabilities

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 25:18


    We talk with Harvard researcher Ari Ne'eman about why the sharp policy shifts underway in Washington pose a unique threat to people with disabilities. Guest:Ari Ne'eman, Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Medicaid Work Requirements Are Back. What You Need To Know

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 29:01


    Work requirements led to thousands in Arkansas losing their Medicaid during the first Trump administration. Policymakers say they've learned lessons to avoid mistakes this time.Guests:Trevor Hawkins, former Staff Attorney at Legal Aid of ArkansasAngela Rachidi, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise InstituteRay Hanley, former CEO of the Arkansas Foundation for Medical CareBarbara Sears Roshon, Ohio Medicaid Director (2016-2019)Ben Sommers, Huntley Quelch Professor of Health Care Economics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical SchoolMaureen Corcoran, Ohio Medicaid DirectorRyan Levi, Reporter/Producer, TradeoffsLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Obamacare Heads to the Supreme Court … Again

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 16:58


    The latest threat to the Affordable Care Act could strike down a popular provision that gives 180 million Americans access to free preventive care for conditions including HIV and cancer.Guest:Nicholas Bagley, JD, Professor of Law, University of MichiganLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How RFK Jr. is Upending Public Health

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 19:36


    Two months on the job, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has plowed forward with mass firings, funding cuts and new policies. The most immediate effect is across state and local health agencies, where officials say they see new cracks in safeguards against diseases.Guests:Dr. Phil Huang, director, Dallas County Health and Human Services Ryan Jury, acting senior deputy, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public HealthChrissie Juliano, executive director, Big Cities Health CoalitionEmily Broad Leib, faculty director, Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy ClinicDr. Tom Frieden, president and CEO, Resolve to Save Lives; former director of the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Making Sense of Sweeping Changes at HHS

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 19:59


    Veteran health care reporter Julie Rovner breaks down the massive cuts and reorganization at HHS and answers listeners' questions about what to expect next.Guest:Julie Rovner, Chief Washington Correspondent, KFF Health NewsLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    This Budget Cut Would Save Medicare Patients Money. But Can Rural Hospitals Afford It?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 28:40


    Medicare often pays clinics owned by hospitals double the amount it pays independent clinics for the exact same medical care. Ending that practice could save the federal government up to $150 billion over 10 years, but critics say it could push rural hospitals over the brink.Guests:Tim Rye, chief strategic development officer, Peterson Health Carrie Cochran-McClain, chief policy officer, National Rural Health AssociationLoren Adler, fellow and associate director at the Center on Health Policy, Brookings InstitutionDean Clancy, senior health policy fellow, Americans for Prosperity Ali Moghtaderi, assistant professor of health policy and management, Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University.Learn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Medicare and Medicaid Under Dr. Oz: What to Expect

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 30:03


    A closer look at the surgeon-turned-TV-star President Trump wants in charge of Medicare, Medicaid and Obamacare.Guests:Tara Bannow, Reporter, STAT NewsTom Scully, CMS Administrator (2001-2004)Learn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Cost of Cutting NIH Research: Voices from the Frontlines

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 21:16


    A candid conversation between a professor and a Ph.D. candidate about potential NIH funding cuts and their impact on the future of medical research.Guests:Yvonne Commodore-Mensah, Associate Professor, Associate Dean of Research, Johns Hopkins School of NursingLaura Mata López, PhD Candidate, Johns Hopkins School of NursingLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    One Doctor's Quest to Improve Health Care for People with Disabilities

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 32:15


    As adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities strive to live more freely and fully than ever before, many of America's doctors, hospitals and insurers are getting in the way. We get an inside look at one doctor's quest to improve health care for people with conditions like Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism.Guests:Alison Barkoff, JD, Administration for Community Living, HHSKevin CarlsonClarissa Kripke, MD, Clinical Professor of Family and Community Medicine and Director of the Office of Developmental Primary Care; University of California, San FranciscoMarjorie Ongpauco, BSN, RN, Nursing ConsultantHarold Pollack, PhD, Professor of Social Work, Policy and Practice; University of ChicagoDonna Valencia, BSN, RN, MSN, Administrator, Group Home AdministratorLeslie Walker, Senior Producer/Reporter, TradeoffsLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Lots of Hospitals Are Using AI. Few Are Testing For Bias

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 24:38


    New research sheds light on how many hospitals are using artificial intelligence, what they're using AI for, and what it means for patients and policymakers.Guest:Paige Nong, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota School of Public HealthLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Getting Health Care to Undocumented Immigrants in Trump's America

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 21:57


    Worrying about deportation can literally make people sick. Health care providers are scrambling to cut through their undocumented patients' panic about President Trump's new immigration policies.Guests:MariaSteph Willding, CEO, CommunityHealthEmily Hendel, Director of Clinical Services, CommunityHealthSamantha Artiga, Vice President and Director for Racial Equity Health Policy Program, KFFLearn more on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    As Trump Targets USAID, What's at Stake for U.S. and Global Health?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2025 17:44


    The Trump administration's swift and sweeping efforts to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development is creating chaos across global public health efforts. One doctor working to halt an Ebola outbreak in Uganda reflects on consequences, now and long-term, of America's abrupt change in policy.Guest:Dr. James Lawler, Director of International Programs and Innovation, Global Center for Health Security at the University of Nebraska Medical CenterLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    RFK Jr. Wants to Change What Americans Eat. He's Not The First

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 26:04


    The fight to improve Americans' nutrition could get new momentum from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but he will face practical and political limits to changing U.S. food supply if he's confirmed to lead the Health and Human Services Department. Guests:Laura Schmidt, professor at the University of California at San Francisco Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies; Department of Humanities and Social Sciences; and School of Medicine. Susan Mayne, former director of the Food and Drug Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition 2015-2023; Yale University adjunct professor of epidemiology.Christina Roberto, director of the Center for Food and Nutrition Policy at the University of PennsylvaniaLearn more and read a full transcript on our NEW website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Powerful Vaccine Committee RFK Jr. Could Soon Control

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 19:47


    If the Senate confirms Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — a vaccine skeptic — to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, he would control a powerful group of federal vaccine advisors.Guests:Ron Balajadia, Hawaii Department of Health immunization branch chiefDorit Reiss, University of California, San Francisco, professor of public health law Dr. Sarah Long, former member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and Drexel University, professor of pediatric infectious diseaseDr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.Richard Hughes IV, attorney with Epstein Becker Green Per Fischer, CEO, MinervaXLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    RFK Jr. Is Headed to Capitol Hill. A Former HHS Secretary Lays Out the Stakes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 23:07


    Former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius shares what the country's top health official can and can't do, and what she wants senators to consider ahead of RFK's confirmation hearings.Read our new story about an obscure but extremely influential vaccine committee that Kennedy, if confirmed. would control.Guest:Kathleen Sebelius, Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services SecretaryLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why Many Republicans Think Shrinking Medicaid Will Make it Better

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2025 25:01


    Many Republicans have singled out Medicaid as a policy that could see big changes under the new administration and Congress. We take a closer look at why many conservatives think less Medicaid will mean better Medicaid.Guests:Josh Archambault, Senior Fellow, Cicero InstituteBrian Blase, President, Paragon Health InstituteMichael Cannon, Director of Health Policy Studies, Cato InstituteElizabeth Matney, Iowa Medicaid Director (2021-2024)Barbara Sears Roshon, Ohio Medicaid Director (2016-2019)Tom Scully, CMS Administrator (2001-2004)Learn more on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Biden's Medicaid Director Reflects on Lessons Learned and Worries for the Future

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2025 25:50


    With Medicaid poised for potential cuts from Republicans in Washington, Dan Tsai reflects on what he's learned running Medicaid for the Biden administration — and his hopes and concerns for the program's future.Guest:Dan Tsai, Deputy Administrator and Director of Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services, CMSLearn more on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Fifth Branch: The Last Line of Care

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 42:13


    Alternative response teams are being asked to tackle vexing problems: mental illness, homelessness, addiction. How much can they actually do? We explore how Durham grapples with connecting people to long-term care and support, and where the city draws the line between crisis response and social services.Guests:Ryan Smith, Director, Durham Community Safety DepartmentSammetta Cutler, Peer Support Specialist, Durham Community Safety DepartmentSarah Hall, Durham residentDavid Prater, Peer Support Specialist, Durham Community Safety DepartmentJohn Warasila, Real estate developer and architect, Alliance ArchitectureBo Ferguson, Deputy City Manager, DurhamPatrice Andrews, Police Chief, Durham Police DepartmentChristie Thompson, Staff Writer, The Marshall ProjectAllison Casey, EMT, Durham Community Safety DepartmentEMS, Fire, Police and the 911 Call Center make up the existing four branches of the public safety system. A special series from Tradeoffs and The Marshall Project explores how a city radically changes its response to people in crisis, by creating a fifth branch. Nearly half of the country's 50 largest cities - including San Francisco, New York, Houston, Chicago - have launched programs to send unarmed responders to 911 calls historically handled by cops. In the process creating a new generation of first responders made up of clinicians, EMTs and unarmed mental health workers all responding to people who struggle with addiction, homelessness and mental illness. To understand this work we head to Durham, North Carolina, which has - in the face of skepticism and downright opposition - built one of the most comprehensive programs in the country.How did Durham pull off what so many cities have struggled to do? Tradeoffs and The Marshall Project examine this groundbreaking work and the challenges it's facing, both in Durham and around the country.Learn more on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Fifth Branch: Keeping People Safe

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2025 40:02


    How do you keep everyone safe? We look at HEART's impact on the safety of Durham residents in crisis, the mental health workers responding, and the police.Guests:David Prater, Peer Support Specialist, Durham Department of Community SafetyRyan Smith, Director, Durham Department of Community SafetyYolanda, Durham residentSgt. Dan Leeder, Durham Police DepartmentPatrice Andrews, Police Chief, Durham Police DepartmentChristie Thompson, Staff Writer, The Marshall ProjectEMS, Fire, Police and the 911 Call Center make up the existing four branches of the public safety system. A special series from Tradeoffs and The Marshall Project explores how a city radically changes its response to people in crisis, by creating a fifth branch. Nearly half of the country's 50 largest cities - including San Francisco, New York, Houston, Chicago - have launched programs to send unarmed responders to 911 calls historically handled by cops. In the process creating a new generation of first responders made up of clinicians, EMTs and unarmed mental health workers all responding to people who struggle with addiction, homelessness and mental illness. To understand this work we head to Durham, North Carolina, which has - in the face of skepticism and downright opposition - built one of the most comprehensive programs in the country.How did Durham pull off what so many cities have struggled to do? Tradeoffs and The Marshall Project examine this groundbreaking work and the challenges it's facing, both in Durham and around the country.The Marshall Project's Christie Thompson reports on the state of alternative crisis response across the country.Learn more about this series, which first ran in July, 2024 on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Fifth Branch: Convincing the Cops

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2024 35:27


    How do you convince police officers that it makes sense to send unarmed mental health workers to some 911 calls?Guests:Patrice Andrews, Police Chief, Durham Police DepartmentRyan Smith, Director, Durham Department of Community SafetySgt. Dan Leeder, Durham Police DepartmentAbena Bediako, Clinical Manager, Durham Department of Community SafetyChristie Thompson, Staff Writer, The Marshall ProjectEMS, Fire, Police and the 911 Call Center make up the existing four branches of the public safety system. A special series from Tradeoffs and The Marshall Project explores how a city radically changes its response to people in crisis, by creating a fifth branch. Nearly half of the country's 50 largest cities - including San Francisco, New York, Houston, Chicago - have launched programs to send unarmed responders to 911 calls historically handled by cops. In the process creating a new generation of first responders made up of clinicians, EMTs and unarmed mental health workers all responding to people who struggle with addiction, homelessness and mental illness. To understand this work we head to Durham, North Carolina, which has - in the face of skepticism and downright opposition - built one of the most comprehensive programs in the country.How did Durham pull off what so many cities have struggled to do? Tradeoffs and The Marshall Project examine this groundbreaking work and the challenges it's facing, both in Durham and around the country.Learn more about this series, which first ran in July, 2024, on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Trump Forced Hospitals and Insurers to Reveal Their Prices. What Happened?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2024 14:24


    A mandate to make health care prices public was one of President Trump's signature health policies in his first term. But forcing hospitals to publish prices hasn't yet helped patients shop around for medical care.Guest:Melanie Evans, Producer, TradeoffsLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Everyone's Mad at Health Insurers, But 'There's Plenty of Blame to Go Around'

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2024 22:08


    The murder of UnitedHealthcare's CEO put a violent point on the frustration and rage some Americans feel toward health insurance companies. But insurers are just one piece of America's broken and expensive health care system.Guest:Aaron Carroll, CEO, Academy HealthLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Presenting: First Opinion: Marc Cuban

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 34:00


    Businessman and entertainer Mark Cuban has long had an interest in health care, and a mission to disrupt the pharmaceutical industry.Torie Bosch, host of First Opinion, a podcast from STAT News, speaks with Cuban about one of his latest ventures Cost Plus Drugs - Mark's efforts to drive down prescription drug prices. Guests:Torie Bosch, Editor, First Opinion, STAT NewsMatt Herper, Senior Writer, Medicine, STAT NewsMarc Cuban, Co-Founder Cost Plus Drugs EntrepreneurLearn more and read a full transcript on here.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Can the U.S. Put an End to Surprise Ambulance Bills?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2024 32:40


    Congress banned most surprise medical bills back in 2020, with one major exception: ambulance rides. Most people agree that patients should be shielded from these unexpected charges. But who should pick up the tab instead? As state and federal policymakers grapple with that question, we delve into why finding a fair solution is harder than you'd think.Guests:Tara Bannow, Reporter, STATPrecious Mae Clark, patientDia Gainor, Executive Director, National Association of State EMS OfficialsZach Gaumer, Principal, Health Management AssociatesJames Gelfand, JD President and CEO, ERISA Industry CommitteeBob Herman, Reporter, STATPete Lawrence, Deputy Chief, Oceanside FireButch Oberhoff, President, Texas EMS AllianceLeslie Walker, Senior Reporter/Producer, TradeoffsMatt Zavadsky, At-Large Director, National Association of EMTsLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What Could RFK Jr. Do As Head of HHS? We Asked Someone Who's Done the Job

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024 23:17


    Former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius shares what the country's top health official can and can't do, and what she wants senators to consider ahead of RFK's confirmation hearings.Guest:Kathleen Sebelius, Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services SecretaryLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Health Care for Transgender Youth Goes to the Supreme Court

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2024 26:11


    Twenty-six states have passed bans on gender-affirming care for transgender minors, and the Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in December about Tennessee's ban. We take a closer look at gender-affirming care and the legal arguments that could influence how accessible that care is.Meredithe McNamara, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Yale School of MedicineKatie Eyer, JD, Professor of Law, Rutgers Law SchoolJames Blumstein, LLB, University Distinguished Professor of Constitutional Law and Health Law & Policy, Vanderbilt University Law SchoolLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How Did Picking a Medicare Plan Get So Hard?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 24:36


    It's Medicare open enrollment season, and in this episode first aired in 2021, we explain why shopping for a new plan is often tougher than it seems.Guests:Lilyan Grossman, Medicare beneficiaryTricia Neuman, ScD, Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the Program on Medicare Policy, Kaiser Family FoundationAmal Trivedi, MD, Professor of Medicine and Health Services, Policy, and Practice, Brown UniversityLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What the Election Could Mean for Obamacare

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024 18:05


    One of the nation's leading experts on the Affordable Care Act breaks down its track record and weighs in on the stakes the historic health care law faces in the lead-up to the election.Guest:Larry Levitt, Executive Vice President for Health Policy, KFFLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    3 Health Care Decisions Awaiting the Next President

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2024 25:57


    The next U.S. president will have to make consequential choices about the Affordable Care Act, prescription drug prices and abortion. We compare the positions of candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump on these major health policy issues.Guests:Michael Cannon, Director of Health Policy Studies, Cato InstituteEderlina Co, JD, Associate Professor of Law, University of the PacificCynthia Cox, Vice President and Director of Program on the ACA, KFFStacie Dusetzina, PhD, Professor of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University Medical CenterBenedic Ippolito, PhD, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise InstituteRyan Levi, Reporter/Producer, TradeoffsLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How New York Times Columnist Paula Span Navigates ‘The New Old Age'

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2024 23:45


    Journalist Paula Span, who writes The New Old Age column for the New York Times, shares what she's learned about how to age well.Guest:Paula Span, reporter and The New Old Age columnist for the New York TimesLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why Employers Are Turning to Primary Care as Health Care Costs Soar

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2024 20:48


    U.S. companies spend more than $1 trillion annually on health care for their employees. To get this budget-busting figure under control, some companies are experimenting with cutting out insurers, and investing in primary care clinics at the office. Guests:Amy Cooper, NP, Vera Whole HealthBob Galvin, MD, former Chief Medical Officer, General Electric and Board Chairman, Catalyst for Payment ReformDan Mendelson, CEO, Morgan HealthAnn O'Malley, MD, MPH, Senior Fellow, MathematicaMatt Ohrt, Co-founder, Self Fund HealthLee Sagraves, Employee, JPMorganChaseGwen SagravesLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Best Way to Fight Meth Addiction? Gift Cards

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2024 27:05


    For decades, the most effective treatment for addiction to methamphetamine or cocaine has been mired in stigma and mostly limited to small research studies. But with deaths involving meth and cocaine on the rise, policymakers across the country are turning to gift cards to fight drug use.Credits:Stephen Higgins, PhD, Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of VermontRichard Rawson, PhD, Professor Emeritus, UCLA Department of PsychologyAndrew Dertien, Contingency Management Coordinator, HealthRIGHT 360Bernard GrovesAyesha Appa, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, UCSF and San Francisco General HospitalTyler Sadwith, Medicaid Director, California Department of Health Care ServicesLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Race to the Bottom: Where's the Cavalry?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 27:38


    Many potent new medicines pose a host of challenges for drug companies trying to copy and sell similar versions on the cheap. Can those companies find a sustainable path forward, or will patients get left stuck paying exorbitant prices?Guests:Christine Baeder, MBA, President, Apotex USAAlfred Engelberg, JD, retired attorney and former counsel to the Generic Pharmaceutical Industry AssociationJeremy Greene, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine and the History of Medicine, Johns Hopkins UniversityCandy Meyer, PatientBhaven Sampat, PhD, Professor, Arizona State University School for the Future of Innovation in SocietyMarta Wosińska, PhD, Senior Fellow, Brookings InstitutionLeslie Walker, Senior Reporter/Producer, TradeoffsLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Race to the Bottom: Hard Bargain

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024 28:12


    America pays less, on average, than any other major country for our generic drugs. But selling essential drugs at such low prices comes with hidden costs — from quality problems to frequent shortages.This is the second episode of Race to the Bottom, a three-part series by Tradeoffs on the problems plaguing the generic drugs we all rely on — and how we could fix them.Guests:Christine Baeder, MBA, President, Apotex USALaura Bray, MBA, Founder, Angels for ChangeCraig Burton, Senior Vice President of Policy and Strategic Alliances, Association for Accessible MedicinesIilun Murphy, MD, Director of the Office of Generic Drugs, FDALeslie Walker, Senior Reporter/Producer, TradeoffsMarta Wosińska, PhD, Senior Fellow, Brookings InstitutionLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Race to the Bottom: Boom Times

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024 27:37


    Generic drugs are, in many ways, the unsung hero of America's health care system, bringing powerful medical innovations within the reach of millions more people. These cheaper copies of brand-name drugs — from pills that stop heart attacks to antibiotics that cure life-threatening infections — save America hundreds of billions of dollars a year. But will affordable, high-quality generic drugs continue to be there when we need them?Some players are abandoning this business while others slash costs by cutting dangerous corners. Shortages of older generic drugs have become the norm, sending doctors scrambling. At the same time, crucial new medicines are proving tougher to copy on the cheap, saddling patients with brand-name prices.Over the course of “Race to the Bottom,” our new three-part podcast series, we'll explore why this industry that's so essential to our health is in trouble — and what could change that.In part one, we examine the history of this industry. Forty years ago this month, President Ronald Reagan signed groundbreaking, bipartisan legislation that gave birth to a new drug market. Lawmakers made choices back then that help explain the wild success and also the troubles we see today with generic medicines.Guests:Christine Baeder, MBA, President, Apotex USAAlfred Engelberg, JD, retired attorney and former counsel to the Generic Pharmaceutical AssociationLeslie Walker, Senior Reporter/Producer, TradeoffsLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How One Company Gamified Health Insurance

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2024 21:59


    One organization turns to a game to get employees to debate and decide together what health care they most value. Guests:Paul Fronstin, Ph.D., Director, Health Benefits Research, Employee Benefits Research Institute Jeanette Janota, Senior Research Associate, American Speech-Language-Hearing AssociationTavril Saint Jean, Senior Research Associate, American Speech-Language-Hearing AssociationJanet McNichol, Chief Human Resources Officer, American Speech-Language-Hearing AssociationEvan Reid, Senior Director of Analytics, American Speech-Language-Hearing AssociationJulia Reilly-Edwards, Data Scientist, American Speech-Language-Hearing AssociationLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    ‘She Didn't Want to Die. But She Didn't Want to Suffer.'

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2024 23:28


    A handful of states allow terminally ill people to take life-ending medications prescribed by a doctor instead of waiting for death. This week, we talk with journalist Steven Petrow about his sister's choice to use medical aid in dying.Guest:Steven Petrow, Journalist and authorLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Presenting: Lost Patients: Churn

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2024 49:13


    In The Fifth Branch, Tradeoffs explored new ways to respond to people in a mental health crisis, this week we have look at another area of the mental health crisis the country is grappling with. 'Lost Patients', a new podcast from KUOW and The Seattle Times, dives into why so many people with mental illness live on the streets, and lack long-term care.Heidi Aurand has watched her son Adam spiral from one psychiatric crisis to the next for about eight years, bouncing between emergency rooms, jails, and homelessness. Now, after treatment at the state's largest psychiatric hospital, Adam was just released back onto the streets of downtown Seattle. A mother asks: How could her son pass through so many institutions and none are able to stop his decline?Learn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What to Expect When Medicare and Pharma Finally Negotiate Drug Prices

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2024 26:10


    The Inflation Reduction Act gave Medicare historic new power to directly negotiate the prices of some of the costliest prescription drugs. Now the federal agency must grapple with a difficult question: What makes a drug price fair?This week, we revisit our 2023 episode explaining how this negotiation process works and the impact it could have.Guests:Anton Avanceña, PhD, Assistant Professor of Health Outcomes, University of Texas Darius Lakdawalla, PhD, Professor of Pharmaceutical Economics and Public Policy, University of Southern California Lauren Neves, JD, Deputy Vice President, PhRMASteve Pearson, MD, MSc, Founder and President, Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER)Ben Rome, MD, MPH, physician and researcher, Harvard Medical SchoolMeena Seshamani, MD, PhD, Deputy Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesLeslie Walker, Senior Producer/Reporter, TradeoffsLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Hope, Hype or Harm? What We Know About New Cancer-Screening Tools

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2024 21:22


    Companies claim they can catch cancer sooner with new blood tests and full-body MRI scans. What are the risks and benefits?Guest:Ishani Ganguli, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; primary care physician, Brigham and Women's HospitalLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Fifth Branch: The Last Line of Care

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2024 40:32


    Alternative response teams are being asked to tackle vexing problems: mental illness, homelessness, addiction. How much can they actually do? We explore how Durham grapples with connecting people to long-term care and support, and where the city draws the line between crisis response and social services.Guests:Ryan Smith, Director, Durham Community Safety DepartmentSammetta Cutler, Peer Support Specialist, Durham Community Safety DepartmentSarah Hall, Durham residentDavid Prater, Peer Support Specialist, Durham Community Safety DepartmentJohn Warasila, Real estate developer and architect, Alliance ArchitectureBo Ferguson, Deputy City Manager, DurhamPatrice Andrews, Police Chief, Durham Police DepartmentChristie Thompson, Staff Writer, The Marshall ProjectAllison Casey, EMT, Durham Community Safety DepartmentEMS, Fire, Police and the 911 Call Center make up the existing four branches of the public safety system. A special series from Tradeoffs and The Marshall Project explores how a city radically changes its response to people in crisis, by creating a fifth branch. Nearly half of the country's 50 largest cities - including San Francisco, New York, Houston, Chicago - have launched programs to send unarmed responders to 911 calls historically handled by cops. In the process creating a new generation of first responders made up of clinicians, EMTs and unarmed mental health workers all responding to people who struggle with addiction, homelessness and mental illness. To understand this work we head to Durham, North Carolina, which has - in the face of skepticism and downright opposition - built one of the most comprehensive programs in the country.How did Durham pull off what so many cities have struggled to do? Tradeoffs and The Marshall Project examine this groundbreaking work and the challenges it's facing, both in Durham and around the country.Learn more on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Fifth Branch: Keeping People Safe

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 39:44


    How do you keep everyone safe? We look at HEART's impact on the safety of Durham residents in crisis, the mental health workers responding, and the police.Guests:David Prater, Peer Support Specialist, Durham Department of Community SafetyRyan Smith, Director, Durham Department of Community SafetyYolanda, Durham residentSgt. Dan Leeder, Durham Police DepartmentPatrice Andrews, Police Chief, Durham Police DepartmentChristie Thompson, Staff Writer, The Marshall ProjectEMS, Fire, Police and the 911 Call Center make up the existing four branches of the public safety system. A special series from Tradeoffs and The Marshall Project explores how a city radically changes its response to people in crisis, by creating a fifth branch. Nearly half of the country's 50 largest cities - including San Francisco, New York, Houston, Chicago - have launched programs to send unarmed responders to 911 calls historically handled by cops. In the process creating a new generation of first responders made up of clinicians, EMTs and unarmed mental health workers all responding to people who struggle with addiction, homelessness and mental illness. To understand this work we head to Durham, North Carolina, which has - in the face of skepticism and downright opposition - built one of the most comprehensive programs in the country.How did Durham pull off what so many cities have struggled to do? Tradeoffs and The Marshall Project examine this groundbreaking work and the challenges it's facing, both in Durham and around the country.Learn more on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Fifth Branch: Convincing the Cops

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2024 35:17


    How do you convince police officers that it makes sense to send unarmed mental health workers to some 911 calls?Guests:Patrice Andrews, Police Chief, Durham Police DepartmentRyan Smith, Director, Durham Department of Community SafetySgt. Dan Leeder, Durham Police DepartmentAbena Bediako, Clinical Manager, Durham Department of Community SafetyChristie Thompson, Staff Writer, The Marshall ProjectEMS, Fire, Police and the 911 Call Center make up the existing four branches of the public safety system. A special series from Tradeoffs and The Marshall Project explores how a city radically changes its response to people in crisis, by creating a fifth branch. Nearly half of the country's 50 largest cities - including San Francisco, New York, Houston, Chicago - have launched programs to send unarmed responders to 911 calls historically handled by cops. In the process creating a new generation of first responders made up of clinicians, EMTs and unarmed mental health workers all responding to people who struggle with addiction, homelessness and mental illness. To understand this work we head to Durham, North Carolina, which has - in the face of skepticism and downright opposition - built one of the most comprehensive programs in the country.How did Durham pull off what so many cities have struggled to do? Tradeoffs and The Marshall Project examine this groundbreaking work and the challenges it's facing, both in Durham and around the country.Learn more on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Tradeoffs Presents: The Fifth Branch

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 3:09


    EMS, Fire, Police and the 911 Call Center make up the existing four branches of the public safety system. A special series from Tradeoffs and the Marshall Project explores how a city radically changes its response to people in crisis, by creating a fifth branch. Nearly half of the country's 50 largest cities - including San Francisco, New York, Houston, Chicago - have launched programs to send unarmed responders to 911 calls historically handled by cops. In the process creating a new generation of first responders made up of clinicians, EMTs and unarmed mental health workers all responding to people who struggle with addiction, homelessness and mental illness. To understand this work we head to Durham, North Carolina, which has - in the face of skepticism and downright opposition - built one of the most comprehensive programs in the country.How did Durham pull off what so many cities have struggled to do? Join Tradeoffs and The Marshall Project for our new series the Fifth Branch as we examine this groundbreaking work and the challenges it's facing, both in Durham and around the country.Learn more on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift.Follow us on Twitter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    BONUS: The Court's Big Abortion Decisions Are Out. What Now?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2024 12:17


    In this special bonus episode, we break down the Supreme Court's recent abortion rulings with help from health reporter Shefali Luthra.Guest:Shefali Luthra, Health Reporter, The 19thearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift.Follow us on Twitter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why Supporting Caregivers Could Make A Difference in Dementia Care

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 19:09


    Medicare is betting that taking care of the caregiver will help dementia patients stay at home longer. Patients and their caregivers are often left to navigate the confusing world of dementia by themselves, but Medicare is launching a new program to change that.Guests:Malaz Boustani, MD, PhD, Founding Director, Sandra Eskenazi Center for Brain Care Innovation; Professor of Aging Research, Indiana University School of Medicine Rosanne Corcoran, Caregiver Liz Fowler, PhD, JD, Director of CMMI and Deputy Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Cindi Hart, Caregiver Alex Olgin, Reporter/Producer, Tradeoffs Lauren Sullivan, Care Coordinator, Eskenazi Health Learn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift.Follow us on Twitter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    More Hospitals Move to Confront Medical Errors Head On

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 25:30


    One out of every four Medicare patients in the hospital is the victim of a medical error. Over the past 20 years, a growing number of hospitals have adopted practices that discuss medical mistakes and offer support to the people who must cope with the often tragic consequences. We examine why experts are calling on the Biden Administration to make patient safety a national priority. Guests:Jack Gentry, patient Naomi Kirtner and Jeff Goldenberg, patient's family and Founders of Talia's VoiceTom Gallagher, MD, Director, UW Medicine Center for Scholarship in Patient Care Quality and SafetyStephen Kuracheck, MD, Former Chief of Critical Care and Medical Director of Quality at Children's MinnesotaJulie Morath, RN, Member of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology's Working Group on Patient SafetyLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift.Follow us on Twitter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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