Podcasts about Affordable Care Act

Abdul and Katelyn catch up on a harrowing week in public health, after Republicans passed Trump's mega bill. They discuss: New work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP beneficiaries Why rural hospitals risk closure due to the upcoming changes to Medicaid New renewal requirements for people who buy health insurance on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces A new high in measles cases, which now jeopardize our “elimination status” distinction A recent court ruling that halts RFK Jr's plans to restructure HHS Then Abdul talks to Dr. Andres Lopez from the Coalition of Communities of Color about their organization's innovative work in community data collection. This interview was produced in collaboration with our sponsor deBeaumont Foundation. Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don't miss our “Vaccines Matter. Science Works.” t-shirts! This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to you by: Quince: Go to Quince.com/AD for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Boll & Branch: Get 20% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at BollAndBranch.com /AD. 

In this episode of the Bill Press Pod, Bill reconnects with Carl Hulse, Chief Washington Correspondent for the New York Times, to discuss The Big Beautiful Bill recently forced through Congress. They compare it to the fights around the passage of The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and highlight the legislative muscle required, including Vice President's critical tie-breaking votes. The bill, encompassing Medicaid cuts to border security, faced criticism for bypassing traditional processes. They delve into the political ramifications, with Republicans like Josh Hawley and Tom Tillis grappling with the bill's implications while nearly all Republicans caved to political pressure from Trump. The pod also addresses the bill's potential impact on the national deficit and how Democrats could leverage this in future elections. Additionally, the influence of figures like Elon Musk on the legislative process and Trump's ongoing impact on the Republican Party are examined.Today Bill highlights the work of Jose Andres and the World Central Kitchen now providing food to the people in the Texas Hill Country recovering from the flash flood disaster. More information at WCK.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On July 4th, 2025, President Donald Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” into law. In this “minisode,” host Rachel (Rae) Woods unpacks the sweeping implications of the most significant healthcare legislation since the Affordable Care Act. From enhanced subsidies expiring to major cuts to Medicaid and ACA marketplace coverage on the horizon, Rae explores what this legislation means for providers, payers, and the broader healthcare ecosystem. Listen to this short policy update for strategic steps leaders must take to manage the cascading impacts of the Act's implementation. This episode was recorded on July 7th, 2025. We're here to help: Healthcare Policy Updates Timeline Ep. 256: How you can prepare for the financial impacts of Trump-era policies A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

We are so excited to have our sister Caya Lewis Atkins, stopping by the class today. Caya is the founding principal of global DC Strategies and her resume reads like a masterclass of health equity Advocacy. Her early days at NAACP Health Division to literally being in the room where the Affordable Care Act was drafted and implemented to her more recent work as Chief Advisor for Policy and Strategy at Health and Human Services, office of Global Affairs. At the Global Fund fighting hiv, aids, tuberculosis, and malaria and zombie, and other places throughout the world, this sister has been moving mountains for our community.Protect Our Care https://www.protectourcare.org/join-the-movement/ Kaiser Family Foundation https://www.kff.org/tracking-the-medicaid-provisions-in-the-2025-budget-bill/ Black Women's Health Imperative https://bwhi.org/ NAACP http://naacp.org/issues/health-wellbeing Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

From Skrmetti to Medina to Mahmoud, the Supreme Court has been busy issuing devastating rulings on cases that carry profound implications for LGBTQI+ health and rights and reproductive health and rights. Chris Geidner, author of Law Dork, sits down to talk with us about these recent cases out of the Supreme Court, and what these rulings mean for our rights and wellbeing.United States v. Skrmetti was a challenge of Tennessee's Senate Bill 1, which prohibits gender-affirming care for transgender minors. By a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court ultimately upheld the state's ban on gender- affirming care for transgender minors. Medina v. Planned Parenthood of South Atlantic was another case heard this term—in fact, it was a culmination of decades of attacks to Planned Parenthood and other providers, specifically targeting efforts to kick these providers out of Medicaid. In another devastating 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court sided against reproductive health care. Mahmoud v. Taylor was a case related to LGBTQI+ inclusive textbooks in Maryland. If parents had a religious objection to anything in the curriculum, they fought to exempt their children from the lesson. By a 6-3 ruling, the Court ruled in favor of the Maryland parents. Lastly, Kennedy v. Braidwood Management Inc. upheld a key Affordable Care Act provision requiring health insurance companies to cover certain care cost-free, but also allows the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services –Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—more autonomy to reshape the provision.For more information, check out Aborsh: https://www.aborsh.com/Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Bluesky: @reprosfightback.bsky.social Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

The Transparency in Coverage (TiC) Final Rule represents one of the most significant regulatory shifts in healthcare pricing since the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.During the next live edition of Monitor Mondays, senior healthcare analyst Frank Cohen will walk you and your team through the comprehensive labyrinth of changes.Recent enforcement developments, including President Trump's Executive Order 14221, directing actual hospital price disclosure within 90 days, also signal an intensified regulatory environment requiring proactive compliance strategies.The venerable broadcast will also include these instantly recognizable features:• Monday Rounds: Ronald Hirsch, MD, vice president of R1 RCM, will be making his Monday Rounds.• The RAC Report: Healthcare attorney Knicole Emanuel, partner at the law firm of Nelson Mullins, will report the latest news about auditors.• Risky Business: Healthcare attorney David Glaser, shareholder in the law offices of Fredrikson & Byron, will join the broadcast with his trademark segment.• Legislative Update: Moesha Baptiste, intern regulatory analyst for Zelis, will report on the news happening at the intersection of healthcare and congressional action.

A conversation with Rob Andrews“A rising tide lifts all boats.” - President KennedyChannelling the heart of this message in his words, actions, and distinguished career, is former Congressman and CEO of the Health Transformation Alliance (HTA), Rob Andrews.As one of the original authors of the Affordable Care Act, Rob has set his sights on driving value-based healthcare reform through data, analytics, and employer-led innovation.To Rob, our healthcare system isn't poor - it just sits upon an irrational infrastructure. It's time to fix that infrastructure!——We spoke about his lessons from inside Congress, his work with HTA, the meaning of value-based care, numerous analogies of successful value-based systems, and why fixing American Healthcare requires both political vision and market-based action.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

Julie Rovner, chief Washington correspondent at KFF Health News and host of the What the Health? podcast, talks about the House and Senate budget bills and what they would mean for Americans' access to healthcare.

Send us a textA pivotal moment unfolded on the Senate floor as Vice President Vance cast the tie-breaking vote on what President Trump calls his "big, beautiful bill." This watershed legislation extends the Trump tax cuts, strengthens border security, and eliminates taxes on tips and overtime - but comes at a staggering cost that will reshape American society for years to come.At the heart of this drama stands Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, who secured the bill's passage after negotiating special carve-outs for her state. Unlike John McCain's historic 2017 vote that saved the Affordable Care Act, Murkowski aligned with her party despite acknowledging the legislation's profound flaws. The consequences are severe: approximately 17 million Americans will lose healthcare access, 3 million will lose food assistance, and 18 million children will lose access to school meals - all while adding nearly $4 trillion to the national debt and providing substantial tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans.The political fallout extends beyond Capitol Hill to a fascinating power struggle between President Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk. Once close allies with Musk serving as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), their relationship has dramatically deteriorated over this legislation. Musk condemned the bill as "utterly insane" and "political suicide for the GOP," vowing to fund primary challengers against supporting Republicans. Trump responded by threatening to review government contracts with Musk's companies and even making cryptic comments about the South African-born CEO's immigration status.This episode provides crucial context for understanding how corporate America is retreating from political activism after years of embracing causes like Pride Month and DEI initiatives. We explore the cold calculation behind business political stances and why nearly 40% of companies have scaled back their social advocacy as consumer sentiments shift. Join us for this deep dive into American politics where power, money, and principles collide - revealing who really benefits when legislation redistributes wealth and resources in ways that will affect generations to come. Support the show

The U.S. Supreme Court closed out its session before breaking for summer on Friday, ruling that decisions around coverage of HIV PrEP drugs should be left up to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The ruling thwarted a lawsuit brought by a group of insurance providers who challenged the Affordable Care Act's requirement that they cover preventive medicines, such as HIV drugs, recommended by the task force. The high court also determined that members of this task force can be removed at will by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Speaking of HHS committees from which members have been removed at will by Kennedy, the CDC's revamped Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices convened last week for its first meeting since the roster overhaul, where a vote on Merck's recently approved RSV-targeting monoclonal antibody Enflonsia and a discussion around the inclusion of preservative thimerosal in influenza vaccines was on the docket, but an expected vote on Moderna's mRNA-based RSV shot mRESVIA was not.Also dominating the headlines on Friday was the FDA's decision to remove the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) program from the six approved CAR T therapies it was applied to. Analysts and patient groups lauded the move, which is expected to potentially double access to these life-saving therapies, saying it reflects “thoughtful consideration of real-world evidence” and “regulatory trust.”Willliam Blair noted that it could be a “positive signal” to companies developing CAR T therapies for autoimmune diseases, which now includes AbbVie. In an all-cash buyout on Monday, the Illinois-based pharma dropped $1.2 billion for Capstan Therapeutics and its in vivo edited CAR T therapy for B cell–mediated autoimmune diseases. M&A has been on an uptick of late, and private equity companies—such as those that snapped up bluebird bio—are also getting in on the game.Finally, after Lykos Therapeutics' high profile failure last summer, the psychedelics space is heating up once again. While a Phase III readout of Compass Pathways' psilocybin drug last week in treatment-resistant depression received a muted reaction from investors, the response to a Phase II readout for Beckley Psytech and atai Life Sciences' intranasal psychedelic was more positive.

Hello, PFR Nation and Happy 4th of July, and Happy Birthday, America!  What a great country we live in, I'm so proud to be an American.  My Dad being a (legal) immigrant has given me great appreciation for the opportunities we have relative to the rest of the world.  I'm feeling extremely blessed for the clients we are serving in our financial planning firm, and I'm so grateful to serve all of you with this podcast.  I hope you continue to find value.  We have a fair amount of new listeners, plus the legacy listeners, and I just want to say how excited I am to deliver this weekly content to all of you.  Thank you for the support, and welcome to the 84th episode of the PFR Podcast and 7th edition of the ‘Whiteboard Retirement Plan.'  Leo and Lisa are looking to retire in 2 years, at 61 and 58 respectively.  They have done quite well accumulating approximately $3 million for retirement with the majority being inside of traditional tax deferred IRA's and a 401k.   Leo is on Long Term Disability and was forced to ‘retire earlier' than planned, and is receiving tax free income until 65.  Lisa plans to fully retire at 58.  However, this will result in losing employer-sponsored healthcare and ultimately needing to shop around in the open market.  One option will be to consider the Affordable Care Act policies on Healthcare.gov.  Furthermore, Roth Conversions are of interest during their “Roth Conversion Window” from Lisa's age 58 until she turns 75.  In this episode, we will help them decide whether or not to aggressively pursue a ‘low income' to reduce healthcare costs in early retirement…or, to begin converting some of the tax-deferred accounts right away to reduce the ‘Tax Trap of 401ks.'  Drop a comment and let me know what you plan to do if you retire before 65!  Will you aggressively pursue ACA Premium Tax Credits?  Aggressively convert to Roth?  Or potentially a hybrid between the two?  I hope you enjoy the 7th edition of the “Whiteboard Retirement Plan.”ACA Premium Tax Credits Video***Additional Disclaimer***  So much about these rules are up in the air.  From 2021-2025, there has been a “gradual slope” downwards of ACA premium tax credits even AFTER you exceed 400% of the Federal Poverty Level.  However, that is set to revert back to the “Cliff” at 400% after 2025.  With that said, there is a LOT on the table with the “One Big Beautiful Bill” which will likely include further changes to these rules.  I guess what I'm saying is…continue to follow the “OBBB” and of course follow the PFR Pod!-KevinTakeaways:Many of the families we serve are overachievers looking to retire early.Healthcare costs are a significant concern for early retirees prior to reaching Medicare eligibility.Budgeting for lifestyle and healthcare is crucial in retirement planning.Roth conversions can optimize tax liabilities over time.Monte Carlo simulations can help stress test the plan, but is by no means the be all end all retirement metric.Understanding the Affordable Care Act and their premium tax credits are important, but should NOT be the sole basis for tax planning opportunities.  Tax traps in traditional retirement accounts can impact long-term wealth during a retiree's lifetime, and for the next generation.  Income stability is key for a successful retirement.Adjusting retirement plans can provide more flexibility and security.⁠Are you interested in working with me 1 on 1?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click this link to fill out our Retirement Readiness Questionnaire⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Or,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ visit my website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with me here:​⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join My Company Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This is for general education purposes only and should not be considered as tax, legal or investment advice.

During this terrible time of queer and trans erasure, finding a moment to laugh can be another form of protest - especially when the source of the laughter is from an all trans male comedy troupe called Big Dad Energy. The ringmaster behind the group is actor/astrologer/comedian Marval A Rex, whose conversation about its origins after their recent West Hollywood Pride performance at the Los Angeles LGBT Center's Renberg Theater takes a surprising “star turn” (interviewed by Jason Jenn). And in NewsWrap: Hungarians turn out by the hundreds of thousands in defiance of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to march in Budapest's LGBTQ Pride Parade, 75 men and a woman are arrested in a raid on a “gay party” in Indonesia, India's transgender women are “legally entitled” to recognition as women according to a landmark ruling issued by the Andhra Pradesh High Court, the U.S. Supreme Court allows parents to “shield” their public-school children from LGBTQ-inclusive material that does not align with their faiths, another U.S. top court ruling upholds key provisions of the Affordable Care Act requiring private health insurance companies to cover the pre-exposure prophylaxis medication known as PrEP, a “guerrilla theatre” Pride Month concert organized by queer-supportive U.S. senators reoccupies the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and more international LGBTQ+ news reported this week by Melanie Keller and Nathalie Munoz (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the June 30, 2025 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Monday, June 30th, 2025Today, Republicans advance the Billionaire Bailout Bill in the Senate after promising hold-outs they could gut a provision of the Affordable Care Act as Tommy Tuberville calls for the parliamentarian to be fired; the Supreme Court kills the lower court's ability to issue universal injunctions AND allows parents to opt their kids out of LGBTQ books; Donald Trump threatens to withhold payments to Israel unless their courts drop the charges against Bibi Netanyahu; Cuomo will stay in the New York City mayoral race after conceding to Zohran Mamdani; Don Bacon of Nebraska and Thom Tillis of North Carolina say they will not run in 2026; the President of the University of Virginia has resigned because of pressure from the Trump administration; Republicans in the Senate have blocked the Iran war powers resolution; the Trump administration has freed a three time felon and five time deported migrant in exchange for his testimony against Kilmar Abrego; Governor Gavin Newsom sues fox news for 787M dollars for defamation; over 100,000 people marched in a Budapest Pride event in defiance of Hungary's ban; and Allison delivers your Good News.Thank You, Helix27% Off Sitewide, when you go to HelixSleep.com/dailybeansThank You, Mint MobileGet this new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just $15 a month at  MINTMOBILE.com/DAILYBEANS.Check out Dana's social media campaign highlighting LGBTQ+ heroes every day during Pride Month - IG|dgcomedy, Dana Goldberg (@dgcomedy.bsky.social)John Roberts: "I Never Thought the Leopards Would Eat *My* Judiciary"  | MuellerSheWrote.comGuest: Noah Widmann - Candidate for FL-7Noah Widmann for Florida - campaign website@noahforflorida on Bluesky, NoahforFlorida - twitter, @noahforflorida | TikTok, Noah Widmann @noahforflorida - Instagram, @NoahForFlorida - Youtube StoriesStar witness against Kilmar Abrego García was due to be deported. Now he's being freed. | The Washington PostSenate Republicans advance Trump's tax and spending cuts bill after dramatic late-night vote | AP NewsSenate rulekeeper deals blows to revised ‘big, beautiful bill' | POLITICORepublicans scramble to save Trump's ‘big, beautiful bill' | The HillSupreme Court backs parents seeking to opt their kids out of LGBTQ books in elementary schools | NBC NewsCourt cancels Israel PM Netanyahu's trial hearings this week | ReutersSenate blocks Iran war powers resolution | The HillCuomo will stay on NYC mayor's ballot after conceding Democratic primary to Mamdani, sources tell CNN | CNNRepublican Rep. Don Bacon, a vocal Trump critic, won't seek reelection | The Washington PostSen. Thom Tillis announces he won't seek reelection after Trump threatens primary challenge | CBS NewsUniversity of Virginia president, pressured over DEI, resigns rather than 'fight federal government' | AP NewsCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom sues Fox News over alleged defamation in story about call with Trump | AP NewsAround 100,000 march in Budapest Pride event in defiance of Hungary's ban | NPR ‘GO **** YOURSELVES': National park visitors slam feds in leaked park comments | SFGate From The Good NewsTrump apparel store in Huntley reaches settlement in eviction case, agrees to vacate building by next monthIndivisibleUnited Against Hate Shop - HRC2025-2026 Bill 3457: Human Life Protection Act - South Carolina Legislature OnlineReminder - you can see the pod pics if you become a Patron. The good news pics are at the bottom of the show notes of each Patreon episode! That's just one of the perks of subscribing! patreon.com/muellershewrote Federal workers - feel free to email me at fedoath@pm.me and let me know what you're going to do, or just vent. I'm always here to listen.Share your Good News or Good TroubleMSW Good News and Good Trouble Check out other MSW Media podcastshttps://mswmedia.com/shows/Subscribe for free to MuellerSheWrote on Substackhttps://muellershewrote.substack.comFollow AG and Dana on Social MediaDr. Allison Gill Substack|Muellershewrote, BlueSky|@muellershewrote , Threads|@muellershewrote, TikTok|@muellershewrote, IG|muellershewrote, Twitter|@MuellerSheWrote,Dana GoldbergTwitter|@DGComedy, IG|dgcomedy, facebook|dgcomedy, IG|dgcomedy, danagoldberg.com, BlueSky|@dgcomedyHave some good news; a confession; or a correction to share?Good News & Confessions - The Daily Beanshttps://www.dailybeanspod.com/confessional/ Listener Survey:http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=shortFollow the Podcast on Apple:The Daily Beans on Apple PodcastsWant to support the show and get it ad-free and early?Supercasthttps://dailybeans.supercast.com/Patreon https://patreon.com/thedailybeansOr subscribe on Apple Podcasts with our affiliate linkThe Daily Beans on Apple Podcasts

Family, this is your favorite queer radio personality Anna DeShawn, and this is Queer News — your favorite weekly news pod where race & sexuality meet politics, culture, and entertainment. This week, we're wrapping up Pride month with headlines you need to know: the Supreme Court keeps lifesaving HIV prevention free under the Affordable Care Act, Chicago is officially named the #1 safest travel destination for LGBTQ folks, and Netflix drops a powerful new documentary honoring ballroom legend Venus Xtravaganza. From legal wins to cultural milestones, let's get into it. Want to support this podcast?

We are joined by CNN Anchor and Chief National Affairs Analyst Kasie Hunt for her first time on the podcast! It's a very fun conversation covering her work and what inspired her to follow her passion for journalism. She discusses the early days of her career covering Obama, Congress, and the passage of the Affordable Care Act. We also talk about how much Congress and the information ecosystem has changed over the years. And Kasie shares her thoughts about watching Donald Trump pardon the rioters on his first day back in office after being present in the Capitol that day.  Plus, immigration raids, tariffs and the Big, Beautiful, Bill. Trump and the Republicans might actually pass the BBB, but at what cost to working Americans? WATCH Kasie on CNN, weekdays at 4pm ET: https://www.cnn.com/profiles/kasie-hunt 

Watch Out For This Chinese Stock Scam! Yes, there's another scam out there trying to part you from your hard-earned money. This has happened many times in recent years and it's occurred in very small Chinese stocks that are vulnerable to manipulation. For some reason some US investors see these and think they've hit it big. US regulators try their best, but typically cannot get access to information in China to go after these people. They're so good they trick people who should know better like businesspeople and even a university professor lost $80,000 in the scam. Their advertisements show up on social media or in messages on WhatsApp and they contain investment advice that looks very convincing with the alure of big, quick returns. They trick investors into thinking that this company is on the verge of something very big and they show that there are already short-term gains, which are engineered by the scammers through manipulative trading. The hucksters come from Malaysia, Taiwan and other places around the world. Some have been so bold that for some investors who lost money, they come back with a second better offer to make up losses on the first investment. Obviously, these people have no shame and the only thing I can recommend is to stay away from small Chinese stocks, especially if you see them advertised on social media. Remember the old saying if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.   Is The Current 401K System Out of Date? The current 401(k) system was first established 42 years ago in 1978 when the use of normal pension plans was in place and when people still worked for a single employer for most of their career. This change in 1978 was beneficial to both the employees and employers, because it gave employees control over their retirement plan and reduced the long-term financial risk for many companies with underfunded pension plans that caused multiple problems form companies during the 2008 financial crisis. Today, times have changed and employees might experience over their 40 years plus work career different jobs that may include side gigs, the launch of a business or two and potentially a change in their job that could take place as much as 12 times over their career. The benefit for employees of the 401(k) is it gives people the ability to control their retirement. If they do leave an employer, they can take their retirement with them and invest it as they see best. The problem of today with changing jobs so many times is unfortunately these employees decide to take and use the money, even though the penalties and taxes due are sometimes as high as 50%. In my opinion, there is not one good reason why you should be taking your retirement money early as you'll pay for it many times over if you reach retirement with little or no retirement funds. Believe me, it is hard being older, but it is devastating to be older with no retirement funds. It has been estimated that frequent job changes over a career can cost as much as $300,000 in retirement savings. I like the new system that has made auto enrollment the default for employees starting a new job, but there is talk that they also want to require when a worker leaves an employer that their 401(k) automatically follows them to the new job and it should contain the same contribution rates as well. I think this is a terrible idea as it could get employees that are changing jobs locked into a terrible new 401(k). It could perhaps be additional administrative work for the new employer who already has enough to take care of when you include all the regulations, they have along with health insurance and current retirement plan administration. Being an employer myself one would not believe how much employers have to do already.    The Unknown Risk of the S&P 500 Many people love investing in the S&P 500 because the recent performance has been very strong. We have talked in the past about the over concentration of technology in the index, but I was shocked to learn that 71% or roughly 351 companies in the index report either non-GAAP income or non-GAAP earnings-per-share. This is dangerous for investors because you're not comparing apples to apples and 89% of those 351 companies that made adjustments had results that appeared better. Wall Street has forced companies to continue to report higher and higher earnings each year and sometimes each quarter or else the stock gets pulverized. Non GAAP numbers were supposed to be allowed to explain extenuating or extraordinary circumstances like a factory fire or a sale of a division, but companies have abused the rule and exclude items like stock based compensation, amortization of intangible assets and currency fluctuations. The one that bugs me the most is restructuring charges that occur every year. For example, Oracle has had a restructuring charge for the past five years. Unfortunately, the SEC is absent on enforcing the rules and non-GAAP earnings have just about become the standard. The problem for investors is with no standard, you cannot compare true earnings of a company. If you have been investing as long as I have, you'll remember the last time the abuse of non-GAAP earnings was during the tech boom and bust. Some people say we are too conservative with our investing and we are missing out on some big gains, but I do believe fundamental investing and understanding the true numbers of a company is far safer and it should produce better returns in the long run.     Financial Planning: What is the Net Investment Income Tax? The Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) is a 3.8% federal surtax that began in 2013 under the Affordable Care Act, targeting high-income individuals. It applies to any net investment income that exceeds a single taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $200,000 or $250,000 for married couples filing jointly. Crucially, these thresholds are not indexed for inflation, so while they may have seemed high in 2013, today they would equal roughly $270,000 and $337,500 in 2025 had they been indexed for inflation, meaning more taxpayers are caught by the tax over time. Net investment income includes interest, dividends, capital gains, rental income, passive business income, and the earnings portion of non-qualified annuity distributions. While non-investment income sources such as wages, IRA withdrawals or conversions, and active business profits aren't directly subject to NIIT, realizing large amounts of those sources can push your MAGI above the threshold, thereby exposing your investment income to this additional tax.  Also keep in mind, most investment income is still taxed as ordinary income as well. Only long-term capital gains and qualified dividends receive the lower capital gain tax treatment, but all investment income may trigger the NIIT if income exceeds the thresholds.   Companies Discussed: Fiserv, Inc. (FI), Pinterest, Inc. (PINS), Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) & General Mills, Inc. (GIS)

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 800-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In this weekly roundup, Dan begins with the escalating tensions between the U.S., Iran, and Israel, examining recent airstrikes and the Trump administration's controversial military decisions. Dan breaks down the fractured response within the MAGA coalition, uncovering the religious and ideological fault lines behind the debate. The episode then turns to the Supreme Court's latest rulings, including: Gender-affirming care for minors Deportation policy limits The reach of nationwide injunctions Parental rights around LGBTQ+ inclusive education Dan highlights the Christian nationalist undertones shaping public discourse and judicial outcomes. He ends with a rare note of optimism, pointing to a surprising cross-ideological ruling upholding the Affordable Care Act as a sign that compromise is still possible. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Check out BetterHelp and use my code SWA for a great deal: www.betterhelp.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe to UnitedHealthcare's Community & State newsletter.Health Affairs' Jeff Byers is joined by Michael Chernew from Harvard Medical School to discuss the recently released National Health Expenditures Projections for 2024–33 from the Office of the Actuary (OACT) at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).Related Articles:National Health Expenditure Projections, 2024–33: Despite Insurance Coverage Declines, Health To Grow As Share Of GDPCMS National Health Expenditure Data Subscribe to UnitedHealthcare's Community & State newsletter.

Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) joins The Post's Paige Winfield Cunningham to discuss Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act and the GOP budget bill. (1:22) Then, a panel of experts offer perspective on the drivers of health care costs in America (33:26) and ways to harness AI to make the health care more affordable. (44:29) Conversation recorded on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Program sponsored by Oscar.

Join Sarah for a rundown of this week's updates for insurance agents, featuring her deep dive into the CMS 2025 ACA Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Final Rule.   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Connect With Us On Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Resources: 5 Things About the Insurance License Exam, 1 Year Later: https://lnk.to/asgf20250620 Are You Self-Sabotaging Your Insurance Sales Success? https://ritterim.com/blog/are-you-self-sabotaging-your-insurance-sales-success/ Four Reasons Why Ritter Should Be Your FMO Insurance Agency: https://ritterim.com/blog/four-reasons-why-ritter-should-be-your-fmo-insurance-agency/ How to Build Intentional Value ft. Neil Reich: https://lnk.to/reich2025 Leveling Up: From Chill Mode to Growth Mode ft. Christian Brindle: https://lnk.to/brindle2025 Seven Figures or Bust Episode 79 - What Is CMS Doing? w/ Special Guest Sarah Rueppel! https://lnk.to/qzTwIw Summer 2025 Survival Guide: https://lnk.to/asgf20250606   References: “2025 Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Final Rule.” CMS.Gov, CMS, 20 June 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2025-marketplace-integrity-and-affordability-final-rule. “2025 Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Proposed Rule.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 10 Mar. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2025-marketplace-integrity-and-affordability-proposed-rule. “CMS Finalizes Major Rule to Lower Individual Health Insurance Premiums for Americans.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 20 June 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-finalizes-major-rule-lower-individual-health-insurance-premiums-americans. Minemyer, Paige. “CMS Finalizes Rule Aimed at ‘improper' Sign-Ups on the ACA Exchanges.” Fiercehealthcare.Com, Fierce Healthcare, 20 June 2025, www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/cms-finalizes-rule-aimed-improper-sign-ups-aca-exchanges. Minemyer, Paige. “Democrats Introduce Bill to Establish a Medicare ‘part E' Public Option.” Fiercehealthcare.Com, Fierce Healthcare, 16 June 2025, www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/democrats-introduce-bill-establish-medicare-part-e-public-option. Mercado, Darla. “Fed Decision Recap: Central Bank Signals Stagflation Fears, Powell Says Fed ‘Well Positioned to Wait' on Rates.” CNBC.Com, CNBC, 18 June 2025, www.cnbc.com/2025/06/18/fed-meeting-live-updates-feds-interest-rate-projections-loom.html. “HHS Secretary Kennedy, CMS Administrator Oz Secure Industry Pledge to Fix Broken Prior Authorization System.” HHS.Gov, Department of Health & Human Services, 23 June 2025, www.hhs.gov/press-room/kennedy-oz-cms-secure-healthcare-industry-pledge-to-fix-prior-authorization-system.html. Minemyer, Paige. “Mehmet Oz: Insurers' Prior Auth Pledge ‘an Opportunity for the Industry to Show Itself.'” Fiercehealthcare.Com, Fierce Healthcare, 23 June 2025, www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/oz-insurers-prior-auth-pledge-opportunity-industry-show-itself. “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Marketplace Integrity and Affordability.” Federalregister.Gov, Federal Register, www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/06/25/2025-11606/patient-protection-and-affordable-care-act-marketplace-integrity-and-affordability. Accessed 25 June 2025. Schneider, Howard. “Powell Repeats Rate Cuts Can Wait as Fed Studies Tariff Impacts.” Reuters.Com, Reuters, 24 June 2025, www.reuters.com/business/powell-repeats-rate-cuts-can-wait-fed-studies-tariff-impacts-2025-06-24/. Simmons-Duffin, Selena. “RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz Say Health Insurers Will Cut Red Tape on ‘Prior Authorizations.'” NPR.Org, NPR, 24 June 2025, www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/06/24/nx-s1-5442713/rfk-jr-dr-oz-health-insurance-prior-authorization.   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

As policymakers in Washington debate major legislation that, as written, would significantly reduce federal spending on Medicaid, Citizens Research Council released a brief primer on Medicaid in Michigan and the impact of those proposed cuts. Research Council Health Policy Associate Karley Abramson, the author of the paper, discusses the human and economic impacts of the proposed cuts with Research Council President, Eric Lupher. Senior Research Associate for State Affairs Bob Schneider joined the conversation with important context about the effect of the proposed cuts on Michigan's budget, likely to experience a loss of at least $2 billion per year if the bill passes as is. “As a matter of policy, Medicaid is relatively complicated, so it is not always easy to understand how a change in the law might impact the actual delivery of health care on the ground,” said Abramson. “If you are not familiar with how Medicaid eligibility and funding work, you would not necessarily realize how dramatically the proposed legislation could impact people and health care providers in the state.” Medicaid provides health insurance coverage to a significant portion of Michigan's residents (~23 percent) and is a vital component of the payment mix that health care providers rely on. Medicaid has taken on a larger role in Michigan over the last two decades, with spikes in enrollment during periods of economic downturns (2009 Great Recession and 2021 COVID-19) and the program's 2014 expansion under the Affordable Care Act. “We want to help establish the public understanding of how Medicaid works,” said Eric Lupher, president of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan. “Medicaid has such a large impact on the state, both as a share of the state budget and in terms of how many people have health insurance through the program.” If federal legislation is enacted with substantial cuts to Medicaid, states will be left to respond to problems on two related fronts: the impact on people losing care and the impact on those providing care. Cuts to Medicaid will increase the uninsured population by at least 200,000 residents who will be impacted by the effects of delayed care and increased financial hardship. On the provider side, the proposed Medicaid cuts may imperil local hospitals, particularly in rural areas, as well as other types of providers. If Medicaid spending is reduced substantially, some rural providers are likely to become unviable, which will not only impact those losing Medicaid coverage but also affect people living in those areas who have secure, private coverage. Policymakers will face difficult choices as the state is, necessitating cuts to the program, reductions elsewhere, or new revenue sources – none of which are attractive options.

The Trump Administration narrows the enrollment window for purchasing Affordable Care Act coverage and limits eligibility. Medicare will likely be insolvent three years earlier than anticipated, according to the program's trustees' report. And, Ascension announces it will purchase ambulatory surgical services organization AmSurg. Those stories on today's episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, recorded on June 24 and released on June 25, we bring you a timely dispatch from Washington, D.C., where the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) leadership and staff engaged in direct advocacy on Capitol Hill.   Join Gayle Gerdes, Vice President of Health Policy Source and consultant to HPNA, and HPNA Manager of Advocacy and Health Policy Sarah Potter as they reflect on their experiences meeting with congressional staffers about HPNA's public policy priorities and amplifying the voices of hospice and palliative care nurses. This episode offers an insider look at the policy priorities that matter in 2025, from protecting federal programs that support nursing research, education, and workforce development to enactment of policies that improve access to quality hospice and palliative care—and how HPNA is uniquely positioned as an interprofessional voice in the conversation.   Key highlights include:   The purpose and power of advocacy—why storytelling matters   Updates on the current climate in Washington, proposed cuts to healthcare programs that impact the interprofessional team and patient access to care, and HPNA's efforts to advance legislation supporting hospice and palliative care nursing  HPNA's collaborations with national coalition partners and legislative champions in the House and Senate  Reflections on the importance of nurse-led advocacy and new opportunities for HPNA members to share their stories and effect policy change at the state and national levels  Whether you're new to policy or a seasoned advocate, this episode will leave you inspired to raise your voice—and equipped to do so effectively.       Gayle Gerdes  Gayle Gerdes is Vice President at Health Policy Source, a government relations firm in Washington, D.C. that provides strategic consulting and lobbying services to a broad group of clients in the health care space. Her health care background is an extensive mix of government and private sector experience. She spent several years on Capitol Hill where she worked in both the House and the Senate focusing her time on health care legislation. Later she moved to The Concord Coalition where she worked with the media, Members of Congress, and related organizations to educate the public on the federal budget and deficit. In particular, she delved into the relationship of Medicare and Social Security with the federal budget. In addition, Gayle has experience serving on the board of the Los Alamos Medical Center, and she has recently consulted for The Brooks Group and The Concord Coalition. Gayle graduated from the University of Arkansas with a B.A. in English and Communications.    Sarah PotterSarah Potter is the Manager of Advocacy and Health Policy at the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA). Sarah has more than 20 years of experience in government relations, health policy, and communications, with a focus on healthcare workforce issues, Medicare, Medicaid, children's health, quality improvement, and the Affordable Care Act. She has developed and implemented state and federal advocacy campaigns and advocacy education programs for several national organizations, including the Pew Charitable Trusts, Independent Sector, the Premier Healthcare Alliance, and the Brookings Institution. Sarah began her career on Capitol Hill as a legislative and communications staffer for Rep. Karen McCarthy of Missouri and Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and holds dual degrees in Journalism and Political Science from the University of Missouri     Brett Snodgrass, DNP, FNP-C, ACHPN®, FAANP Dr. Brett Snodgrass has been a registered nurse for 28 years and a Family Nurse Practitioner for 18 years, practicing in multiple settings, including family practice, urgent care, emergency departments, administration, chronic pain and palliative medicine. She is currently the Operations Director for Palliative Medicine at Baptist Health Systems in Memphis, TN. She is board certified with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She is also a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and an Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse. She completed a Doctorate of Nursing Practice at the University of Alabama – Huntsville. She is a nationally recognized nurse practitioner speaker and teacher. Brett is a chronic pain expert, working for more than 20 years with chronic pain and palliative patients in a variety of settings. She is honored to be the HPNA 2025 podcast host. She is married with two daughters, two son in laws, one grandson, and now an empty nest cat. She and her family are actively involved in their church and she is an avid reader.

How are young people pushing back against a potential rollback that could once again block DACA recipients, or Dreamers, and thousands of others from enrolling in Affordable Care Act coverage? And why do advocates call this potential move by the Trump administration extremely dangerous? To find out, we spoke with Kristin McGuire, Executive Director of Young Invincibles, the nation's largest young adult policy and advocacy organization. Kristin leads efforts to elevate the voices of young adults in the political process and expand their access to economic opportunity. This is the second episode in our two-part series. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.

THIS WEEK ON CODE WACK! How are young people pushing back against a potential rollback that could once again block DACA recipients, or Dreamers, and thousands of others from enrolling in Affordable Care Act coverage? And why do advocates call this potential move by the Trump administration extremely dangerous? To find out, we spoke with Kristin McGuire, Executive Director of Young Invincibles, the nation's largest young adult policy and advocacy organization. Kristin leads efforts to elevate the voices of young adults in the political process and expand their access to economic opportunity. This is the second episode in our two-part series. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.   

THIS WEEK ON CODE WACK! How are young people pushing back against a potential rollback that could once again block DACA recipients, or Dreamers, and thousands of others from enrolling in Affordable Care Act coverage? And why do advocates call this potential move by the Trump administration extremely dangerous? To find out, we spoke with Kristin McGuire, Executive Director of Young Invincibles, the nation's largest young adult policy and advocacy organization. Kristin leads efforts to elevate the voices of young adults in the political process and expand their access to economic opportunity. This is the second episode in our two-part series. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.

A bill currently on Governor Mike Kehoe's desk would enable the Missouri Farm Bureau to offer its members a health plan. But the policies are not technically insurance and therefore aren't subject to federal Affordable Care Act regulations.

A bill currently on Governor Mike Kehoe's desk would enable the Missouri Farm Bureau to offer its members a health plan. But the policies are not technically insurance and therefore aren't subject to federal Affordable Care Act regulations.

The Affordable Care Act faces significant rollbacks if President Trump’s big spending and tax cut bill is approved by the Senate. The proposed changes could affect many of the 24 million Americans enrolled in that insurance marketplace and could leave millions of people without coverage. Sarah Kliff, health policy reporter with The New York Times, joins Geoff Bennett for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, chairman of the Republican Attorneys General Association, joins Parsing Immigration Policy for a wide-ranging discussion of immigration enforcement, voter integrity, and state-federal cooperation.A key national voice on immigration issues, Kobach shares with host Mark Krikorian insights into the practical and legal efforts that states like Kansas are taking to combat illegal immigration.Highlights include:Illegal Population in KansasAn estimated 90,000 to 100,000 illegal aliens reside in Kansas, many working in industries like construction.State-Federal Law Enforcement CooperationKansas was among the first two states to sign 287(g) cooperation agreements with ICE.ICE has only 15,000 agents for interior enforcement – insufficient for mass removals. Kobach emphasized that under 287(g) the daily “net” cast by local officers provides the eyes and ears for federals agents.Legal Advocacy & LitigationDACA Challenge: Kobach represented ICE agents in early litigation against President Obama's DACA program.Obamacare Benefits Case: Led a multi-state coalition to stop illegal aliens from receiving Affordable Care Act benefits and received a victory from the 8th Circuit.Census Litigation: Currently leading a multi-state effort to exclude illegal aliens from the census for purposes of congressional apportionment. Including illegal aliens and those here on temporary visas causes “all kinds of constitutional problems.”Election IntegrityFormer vice chair of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity under the first Trump administration.As Secretary State of the State of Kansas, Kobach implemented strict voter ID laws, requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.Warns that illegal immigrants voting dilutes the votes of U.S. citizens.E-VerifyPrivate businesses in Kansas are not required to use E-Verify, but the agencies and contractors under the Attorney General are mandated to use it for new hires.Broader E-Verify bills have not been enacted due to a strong business lobby in the state.NSEERS (National Security Entry-Exit Registration System)This was a post-9/11 system designed by Kobach when he was at the U.S. Department of Justice to stop the terrorist threat posed by the ease of getting a temporary visa and overstaying that visa.Whenever an alien from a high-risk terrorist country overstayed a temporary visa, he was flagged so that local law enforcement across the country could arrest him during any routine stop.The INS system led to 1,500 arrests of Pakistani illegal aliens, and caused the self-deportation of an estimated 15,000 more.Went into effect in 2002, but President Obama cancelled the program. If it were still in effect, the recent attack by a visa overstayer in Colorado might have been stopped.In today's commentary, Krikorian, the Center's executive director, highlights a corporate-backed push – championed by Agriculture Secretary Rollins – to exempt certain sectors from immigration enforcement. President Trump briefly embraced it, triggering swift backlash from the base and within the administration. The move was quickly reversed, but serves as a reminder that pro-unlimited immigration forces remain active, even within the GOP. Eternal vigilance is essential to ensure that immigration policy forces employers to hustle for workers – not the other way around. A tight labor market is in the national interest.HostMark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration StudiesGuestKansas Attorney General Kris Kobach.Related287(g) Program: A Force Multiplier for Immigration EnforcementA Preventable Terrorist Attack: NSEERS never should have been cancelledAttorney General of Kansas WebsiteKris Kobach personal websiteThat Was FastIntro MontageVoices in the opening montage:Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act.Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech.Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977.Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview.Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019.Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance.Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".

The Affordable Care Act faces significant rollbacks if President Trump’s big spending and tax cut bill is approved by the Senate. The proposed changes could affect many of the 24 million Americans enrolled in that insurance marketplace and could leave millions of people without coverage. Sarah Kliff, health policy reporter with The New York Times, joins Geoff Bennett for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Health Insurance is Rigged & Controlled by the Big Companies w/ Donvan Ryckis of Ethos Benefits   - AZ TRT S06 EP10 (272) 6-15-2025              What We Learned This Week Health Insurance is primarily run by the Big 4 - BUCA: Blue Cross United Healthcare, CIGNA, Aetna To Insurance Co's – Premium = Revenue, and they are not going lower profits, so no incentive to lower costs Health insurance employer group plans can be broken down into 4 Parts Network PPO is what people typically think of when they think of health insurance There have been revisions to the Healthcare Act passed in 2021   Guest: Donovan Ryckis, Ethos Benefits https://ethosbenefits.com/   https://ethosbenefits.com/documentary/ https://businessofbenefitspodcast.com/   Our Ethos is Simple: Fiduciary First. Act in the best interest of those we serve—no matter the cost. ‘Ethos' represents the guiding principle, character, or spirit of a person or organization. It's the ‘why' that drives decision-making and fuel's purpose. Our Ethos is deeply rooted in the story of our Founder, Donovan Ryckis. Over a decade ago, Donovan, a fiduciary Series 65 securities advisor specializing in retirement and pension planning, was approached by a client facing a dire situation. The client's publicly traded broker claimed there was no solution for a staggering 37.5% health insurance renewal increase—a cost that threatened the business and its employees. With no prior experience in health insurance markets but guided by his unwavering fiduciary principles, Donovan took on the challenge. The result? He mitigated the risk entirely, delivering a solution 12% below the current rate. This allowed the business to thrive and ensured hundreds of employees wouldn't have to choose between basic necessities and skyrocketing health premiums. That moment sparked a revelation. The fraud, waste, and abuse Donovan had fought in retirement planning paled in comparison to the challenges in healthcare. He saw an opportunity to bring transparency and fiduciary principles to an industry in desperate need of change. Donovan pivoted his career, becoming one of the first fee-based health insurance advisors in the nation. By removing all conflicts of interest in broker compensation, he laid the foundation for what is now the leading innovative employee benefits agency in the country, delivering higher quality care at a significantly lower cost to employers nationwide.       Notes:   Ethos Benefits deals with employee benefits, with a primary focus on group health insurance   Per Donovan ‘Employee benefits are rigged'   Insurance company premium equals revenue. There is no incentive to lower cost, as it would lower profits.   ACA Obamacare passed in 2010, and it capped profits for insurance companies at 20%   Insurance Co's are working to expand their pool to make more profit   Health Insurance guarantees inflation keeps going up, so family of 4 could spend 35K a year   For a business, healthcare cost and employee benefits are a top 3 P&L expense   Ethos strategies can create a 30 to 40% reduction on premium impact to lower costs for a business   The HQ is in Florida, but they are a virtual office with agents and clients nationwide   Healthcare finance and delivery + Improving employee benefits     Seg 1   Donovan's bio, he was a financial advisor with a Series 65 license before he got into health insurance. Around 2014 he moved into health insurance seeing an opportunity for better service.   Typically you see agents who are working for the health insurance company and not really working for the employer companies they are selling to.   Health insurance is primarily run by the Big 4 – BUCA: Blue Cross United Healthcare, CIGNA, Aetna.   Health insurance employer group plans can be broken down into 4 Parts:   1.    TPA or third-party administrator 2.    Network PPO or HMO 3.    Pharmacy benefit RX 4.    Insurance that covers the caps the limits on the stop loss   PPO is your primary network and open on using referrals HMO is a non-preferred network typically has less offerings and tight on referrals   Ethos Benefits helps employers to break up the four parts of a group plan and customize   Network PPO is what people typically think of when they think of health insurance.   Network and the Big 4 health companies have a tighter deal with doctors and contract prices. A lot is pre-negotiated with a set of rates, which is the point of a PPO. This is where you get larger claims and they run in the system of healthcare.     Seg 2   Pay more for healthcare in the U.S. than the rest of the world   The biggest pharmaceutical companies are in the US Pharmaceutical companies in flight prices, and also set the prices They make money through spread pricing   Employers can actually pick up their own Pharma benefit and get the rebates that the big health insurance companies are not giving them   Healthcare system is a rigged game The fraud waste and abuse extremely high in health   401(k) and retirement benefit industry is actually tighter with more disclosure than the healthcare industry   Regulated better since the creation of the Securities Act in the 1930s and updates that ran through the 1970s and beyond with things like ERISA   There have been revisions to the healthcare act passed in 2021 - started in Jan.2022   Actions had 3 disclosures: ·         Brokers comp and bonus ·         Data with gag, clauses, and full access to data upon request ·         Benchmarking for drug cost     Further Notes via Google:   The revisions you are likely referring to are part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA). While the CAA was passed in late 2020, many of its provisions, including those related to transparency in healthcare, became effective on January 1, 2022.  The three key areas of disclosure you mentioned are directly addressed within these regulations: 1.            Broker's Compensation and Bonuses: The CAA amends ERISA Section 408(b)(2) and requires service providers, including brokers, to disclose specific information to group health plan fiduciaries. 2.            Data Transparency (Gag Clauses and Full Access to Data): The CAA prohibits gag clauses, which prevent plans from providing access to their data. It also requires health insurance carriers to attest annually to their compliance with this prohibition. Moreover, the Health DATA Act, a proposed bill, would further reinforce the right of employers to access their data and hold service providers accountable for non-compliance. 3.            Benchmarking for Drug Costs: The CAA includes provisions regarding pharmacy benefit and drug cost reporting, which aims to provide greater transparency and potentially lead to better benchmarking of drug costs. The Build Back Better Act, a separate piece of legislation, also included provisions for Medicare to negotiate drug prices, further impacting drug costs and potential benchmarking.  These revisions aim to increase transparency in healthcare pricing and empower consumers and employers to make more informed decisions about their healthcare coverage.    Seg 3   Ethos works with Employers to create business plans usually with a 3 to 5 year time horizon. The goal is long-term to lower healthcare cost.   Example would be a company with 100 employees with 50 to 80% of them on the health plan (does not include dependents).   Ethos wants to keep the demands of a company low, easy transition.   Ethos handles employee Qs and healthcare navigation. Ethos is full service.   Risk handled 1 of 4 ways - Reduce, avoid, retain, transfer - Transfer to insurance   Broker wants to transfer risk Company can control costs Careful not to have too much disruption with a switch to a new company   Ex - start with pharmacy part NDC National Drug Code Run report vs costs   Pharmacy benefit mgr   Pre packaged health plan Gets co approved pharmacy benefit Save 5 - 15% on costs (30%)   Separate - parts of group plan     Seg 4   Brokers comp - incentives from big insurance companies   Opening move - edit pharmacy benefit piece   State by state - regulators and rules   Employers / employees Know the network and PPO   Nationwide covers insurance part – Stop-loss Insurance   30-40 major stop loss companies Ex: Allstate Met Life Sun Life   Stop-loss insurance for group health plans acts as a financial safety net for self-funded employers, protecting them from large, unpredictable medical claims. It is a form of additional insurance.   Healthcare risk is incredibly predictable on group basis   Overall predictable w stats, actuarial analysis   Gag clauses look at dataset from current carrier   Prescription database sets   3rd party admin are less of a concern, lots of claims   Average of 18 claims per employee per year, includes dependents   Data - review AI Claims analytics software   AI claims analytics software is transforming how insurance companies handle claims by leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze data, automate tasks, and improve decision-making.    30 - 40% reduction in premium w Ethos     Further Notes via Google: Group Medical Plans Breakdown of the common components of a comprehensive employer group health plan, particularly within the context of a self-funded model.  Here's a more detailed explanation of each part: 1.            TPA (Third-Party Administrator): A TPA is a company that provides administrative services for self-funded health plans. This includes processing claims, handling enrollment, and managing other administrative tasks that would typically be done by an insurance company. 2.            Network (PPO or HMO): This refers to the group of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers that the health plan contracts with to provide services to its members. The network defines where employees can go to receive care and often dictates the level of coverage they will receive (e.g., in-network vs. out-of-network benefits). ·                                             PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): Offers more flexibility, allowing members to see out-of-network providers, though with higher out-of-pocket costs. ·                                             HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): Typically requires members to stay within the network for covered services, except in emergencies.                 Pharmacy Benefit (RX): This component manages the prescription drug coverage for the plan. It includes negotiating drug prices, processing claims for prescriptions, and managing the plan's formulary (list of covered drugs).                 Stop-Loss Insurance: This is a crucial element for self-funded employers. It protects the employer from catastrophic claim costs. If an individual employee or the entire group's claims exceed a certain threshold (the "attachment point"), the stop-loss insurance kicks in to cover the excess costs, limiting the employer's financial liability.  Additional Considerations: ·                     Data Access: Self-funded plans often provide employers with greater access to claims data, which can be used to analyze healthcare costs, identify trends, and implement strategies to improve employee health and manage costs. ·                     Benchmarking: Employers can use claims data and industry benchmarks to compare their plan's performance to similar organizations and negotiate better rates with providers and other vendors. ·                     Wellness Programs: Some employers offer wellness programs to encourage employees to adopt healthy behaviors and potentially reduce healthcare costs. ·                     Essential Health Benefits (ACA Compliance): Group health plans must comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which requires them to cover a list of essential health benefits, such as outpatient care, emergency services, hospitalization, and prescription drugs. ·                     Other Benefits: Group plans can also include other benefits, such as dental, vision, life insurance, and long- and short-term disability insurance.  Understanding these different parts is essential for employers to effectively manage their group health plan, control costs, and provide valuable benefits to their employees.      Investing Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Investing-Stocks-Bonds-Retirement       ‘Best Of' Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT      Thanks for Listening. Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.     AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.  AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.  Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…    AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/ ‘Best Of' AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here Podcast on Google: Click Here Podcast on Spotify: Click Here                    More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/ KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/     Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.  

WESLACO, TEXAS - A spokesperson for MHP Salud says no staff member has lost their job because of federal funding cuts to the Affordable Care Act Navigator Program.Heather Morgan is vice president of communications and business development for MHP Salud. She oversees brand development and management, reputation, communications, and positioning. In an email to the Rio Grande Guardian, she did confirm that the Weslaco-based non-profit has been informed of federal funding cuts to the Navigator program.“MHP Salud has a long-standing history in the RGV. We provide multiple services to the community to provide families and individuals with health education, child health and developmental support, health insurance education and application assistance, and much more,” said Heather Morgan, vice president of communications and business development for MHP Salud.“Our programming array includes Parents as Teachers, Familias Saludables, Silver Connections, Connecting Kids to Coverage, and the Navigator program.”Morgan continued: “While MHP Salud has received notice that funding for the Navigator program will be reduced, we will receive funding to continue serving the RGV through the Navigator program, as well as our other programs.”Morgan added: “Moreover, while the funding reduction will impact staffing, final decisions have not yet been made, and no one was informed that August 31 will be their last day of employment.”Morgan wrote to the Guardian following comments made by Moises Arjona, collective impact director for Unidos Contra la Diabetes. During a webinar hosted by Hidalgo County Prosperity Task Force, and in a subsequent interview with the Guardian, Arjona spoke about the impact of federal funding cuts to the Affordable Care Act.Morgan said Arjona does not work for MHP Salud and does not speak for the nonprofit. Asked if he would like to respond, Arjona said: “What I shared (at the Hidalgo County Prosperity Task Force webinar) was that from the community health workers who are employed at MHP Salud, those who reached out and provided me with information regarding funding and who were looking for open job positions.”Arjona continued: “We value MHP Salud as a partner in the community and they do great work, but as they have stated in their email, funding is being reduced and that will affect the work that is being done in the community.”Arjona added: “MHP Salud is a provider for the Affordable Care Act and many of our folks in the community depend on MHP Salud to continue to help them navigate the Market Place during open enrollment. Our population is not tech savvy and needs help, especially during open enrollment.”Here is part of an interview Arjona gave the Guardian.Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.

A new House bill would require many Medicaid recipients to log 80 hours of work each month or risk losing coverage. Supporters say it promotes self-sufficiency, but critics warn the paperwork alone could drop thousands from the rolls. Experts say that even expansion states like New York, where about one in three residents depends on Medicaid, could see enrollment slip. To help unpack it all, I spoke to Sarah Miller. Sarah is an associate professor of Business Economics and Public Policy at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. Her studies have traced Medicaid’s ripple effects from reduced medical debt all the way to measurable drops in mortality, offering clear evidence that coverage saves both wallets and lives. Today, we talk about what happens when states expand (or slash) Medicaid, why seemingly small paperwork burdens can shut out eligible patients, and how work-requirement rules could reverberate across other safety-net programs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Covered California is leading the way in making healthcare more accessible and equitable. Under the leadership of Executive Director Jessica Altman, the state's health insurance marketplace has reached nearly 2 million enrollees, setting new records for affordable health coverage in California. In this episode, Jessica dives into how Covered California's innovative outreach, tailored language support, and affordability programs are closing the coverage gap, especially for freelancers, gig workers, and families who often fall through the cracks. Jessica draws on her roots in healthcare policy, shaped by family and her work at the US Department of Health and Human Services, to explain why insurance is so complex and how California's unique blend of state and federal policy makes a real-world difference. We discuss why the “last mile” to coverage is often the hardest, how creative partnerships with community organizations break down language and cultural barriers, and why affordability remains the foundation of any successful health insurance system. This episode also tackles the impact of the Affordable Care Act, the pros and cons of state vs. federal insurance regulation, and what other states can learn from California's investments in outreach, Medi-Cal expansion, and targeted subsidies. Jessica shares real examples of how public opinion around coverage is shifting as families experience the benefits firsthand, and why Covered California's commitment to customer service is rebuilding trust in a system long seen as confusing and impersonal. Join us for this compelling conversation hosted by Christine Winoto of the UCSF Rosenman Institute. Do you have thoughts on this episode or ideas for future guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.  

Chris Hamilton is a finance expert with 15 years of experience, on a mission to expose how the healthcare system is stealing from the middle class. Chris uncovered a harsh reality: insurance brokers and companies have zero incentive to lower your costs. Brokers even make commissions on rising premiums, sometimes earning bonuses for keeping prices high. The Affordable Care Act, rather than boosting competition, turned healthcare into big business. What was once a market of 12-13 insurance companies has now consolidated to just 4 major players, dominating the industry. With fewer choices and rising costs, the average family is paying $24k in premiums annually, plus another $5-6k out of pocket—all while the healthcare giants profit. That money, which should be building the American dream—going toward college savings, a home, or retirement—is being swallowed by a broken healthcare system. For the middle class, these rising costs are an invisible thief, robbing families of financial security. Hotchkiss Insurance: https://hotchkissinsurance.com/ Today's Sponsors: Black Rifle Coffee: https://blackriflecoffee.com Truewerk: Check out the full lineup and get 15 percent off your first order at https://TRUEWERK.com/clearedhot.  

THIS WEEK ON CODE WACK! As federal officials carry out large-scale, military-style raids and widespread arrests of undocumented immigrants, another fight is quietly brewing — one that could push thousands of people off their health insurance. More than half a million young people who were brought to the U.S. as children and grew up here could soon lose eligibility for affordable and subsidized health coverage.  A new rule proposed by the Trump Administration would once again block DACA recipients from buying Marketplace insurance or receiving financial assistance. What would this mean for their health, their communities and the widening gap in health and economic equity? To find out, we spoke with Kristin McGuire, Executive Director of Young Invincibles — the nation's largest young adult policy and advocacy organization — where she leads the charge to amplify the voices of young adults in the political process. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.   

If you're planning to retire before you're eligible for Medicare at age 65, one of the biggest questions you'll face is: What do I do about health insurance? In this episode of The Wise Money Show, we break down your options—including COBRA, Healthcare.gov plans, and health-sharing networks. We'll walk through: - The pros and cons of COBRA - How the Affordable Care Act (ACA) can offer major tax credits - Why income planning is critical for avoiding healthcare surprises - What to know about health insurance ministries and coverage gaps - Common health insurance mistakes early retirees make—and how to avoid them   Season 10, Episode 43 Download our FREE 5-Factor Retirement guide: https://wisemoneyguides.com/    Schedule a meeting with one of our CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™: https://www.korhorn.com/contact-korhorn-financial-advisors/ or call 574-247-5898.   Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/WiseMoneyShow Listen on podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/WiseMoney  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/p8tG5yG_9n8  Submit a question for the show: https://www.korhorn.com/ask-a-question/   Read the Wise Money Blog: https://www.korhorn.com/wise-money-blog/    Connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WiseMoneyShow  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wisemoneyshow/    Kevin Korhorn, CFP® offers securities through Silver Oak Securities, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Kevin offers advisory services through KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group. KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group and Silver Oak Securities, Inc. are not affiliated. Mike Bernard, CFP® and Joshua Gregory, CFP® offer advisory services through KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group. This information is for general financial education and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations. All investing and investment strategies involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Asset allocation & diversification do not ensure a profit or prevent a loss in a declining market. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker and Dr. Chad Savage discuss the transformative potential of Direct Primary Care (DPC) in the U.S. healthcare system. They explore how DPC empowers patients by removing insurance intermediaries, allowing for more personalized and cost-effective care. The conversation delves into the challenges posed by the current healthcare system, including the bureaucratic complexities introduced by the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), and emphasizes the need for a free market approach to healthcare. Dr. Savage shares insights on how DPC can lead to better health outcomes and patient satisfaction, advocating for a shift in consumer mindset towards healthcare. Learn more about Dr. Chad Savage HERE | https://bit.ly/4e3y7ldSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About This Episode  In this episode of The Future of Work® Podcast, we welcome expert Robert E. Andrews, CEO of the Health Transformation Alliance (HTA), former U.S. Congressman, and co-author of the Affordable Care Act. Robert shares hard-won insights from his leadership of a coalition of 70+ major corporations with over $40 billion in healthcare spend. Together with host Frank Cottle, they tackle why employer-sponsored healthcare must evolve to support distributed teams, how to balance cost containment with personalization, and why empathy, listening, and trust are essential for retention in today's workplace. From AI-assisted diagnosis to mental health gaps, this conversation unpacks bold strategies to fix healthcare and future-proof your workforce. 

Subscribe to UnitedHealthcare's Community & State newsletter.Health Affairs' Jeff Byers welcomes Katie Keith of Georgetown Law back to the pod to discuss the House Republican budget reconciliation legislation and what impacts this legislation could have on the Affordable Care Act market, Medicaid beneficiaries, health savings accounts, Medicare, and more.Become an Insider today to get access to exclusive events, our recent trend report on AI in health care, and monthly newsletters from authors such as Stacie Dusetzina, David Simon, Laura Tollen, and others.Related Articles:The House Republican Budget Reconciliation Legislation: Unpacking The ICHRA And HSA Changes (Health Affairs Forefront)Health Policy At A CrossroadsTrump tax bill will add $2.4 trillion to the deficit and leave 10.9 million more uninsured, CBO says (AP News)Expansions to Health Savings Accounts in House Budget Reconciliation: Unpacking the Provisions and Costs to Taxpayers (KFF) Subscribe to UnitedHealthcare's Community & State newsletter.

The House's gigantic tax-and-spending budget reconciliation bill has landed with a thud in the Senate, where lawmakers are divided in their criticism over whether it increases the deficit too much or cuts Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act too deeply. Meanwhile, the Congressional Budget Office's estimate that the bill, if enacted, could increase the ranks of the uninsured by nearly 11 million people over a decade won't make it an easy sell.Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call, and Lauren Weber of The Washington Post join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News' Arielle Zionts, who reported and wrote the latest “Bill of the Month” feature, about a Medicaid patient who had an out-of-state emergency.Visit our website for a transcript of this episode.Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read (or wrote) this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: KFF Health News' “Native Americans Hurt by Federal Health Cuts, Despite RFK Jr.'s Promises of Protection,” by Katheryn Houghton, Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez, and Arielle Zionts.Alice Miranda Ollstein: Politico's “‘They're the Backbone': Trump's Targeting of Legal Immigrants Threatens Health Sector,” by Alice Miranda Ollstein.Lauren Weber: The New York Times' “Take the Quiz: Could You Manage as a Poor American?” by Emily Badger and Margot Sanger-Katz.Jessie Hellmann: The New York Times' “A DNA Technique Is Finding Women Who Left Their Babies for Dead,” by Isabelle Taft. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann break down some of the most controversial provisions in Republicans' giant spending and immigration bill: Provisions that would affect Medicare and the Affordable Care Act.While the bill has already passed the GOP-controlled House, it might have a tougher time getting through the Senate, where some Republican senators have already expressed doubts – like Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Ark.), who has said it is “wrong to cut Medicaid for the working poor.”Plus, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) told a town hall last week that "we all are going to die," then doubled down in an Instagram video on Saturday. Is that a politically risky move – or just what Trump would do?

Jasmine Crockett paraphrased Sen. Joni Ernst as saying she helped dig the graves of her constituents. Red States have already killed many by not accepting the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act.Subscribe to our Newsletter:https://politicsdoneright.com/newsletterPurchase our Books: As I See It: https://amzn.to/3XpvW5o How To Make AmericaUtopia: https://amzn.to/3VKVFnG It's Worth It: https://amzn.to/3VFByXP Lose Weight And BeFit Now: https://amzn.to/3xiQK3K Tribulations of anAfro-Latino Caribbean man: https://amzn.to/4c09rbE

Sky-high insurance premiums. Surprise medical bills. Drug prices that keep going up. Why does healthcare in America cost so much — and how did we end up here? Dr. Cedric Jamie Rutland, a critical care physician and BuzzRx Medical Advisor, joins Mosheh for a wide-ranging conversation that breaks down the real reasons healthcare is so expensive in the U.S. They explore how pharmacy benefit managers quietly shape what you pay, the unintended consequences of the Affordable Care Act, and why insurance coverage often feels arbitrary. Then, a deep dive into GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy: how they work, what they actually do to your body, and whether they're the future of weight loss and preventative care. Dr. Rutland also shares why having insurance — even if you're healthy — still matters more than many realize. BuzzRx, a prescription drug discount card and app service, saves users hundreds of dollars each month and has partnered with Mo News for a series focused on America's health and the prescription drug industry. Mo News Special: BuzzRx is offering the Mo News community up to $5 off your first prescription fill at BuzzRx.com/MoNews

Sky-high insurance premiums. Surprise medical bills. Drug prices that keep going up. Why does healthcare in America cost so much — and how did we end up here? Dr. Cedric Jamie Rutland, a critical care physician and BuzzRx Medical Advisor, joins Mosheh for a wide-ranging conversation that breaks down the real reasons healthcare is so expensive in the U.S. They explore how pharmacy benefit managers quietly shape what you pay, the unintended consequences of the Affordable Care Act, and why insurance coverage often feels arbitrary. Then, a deep dive into GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy: how they work, what they actually do to your body, and whether they're the future of weight loss and preventative care. Dr. Rutland also shares why having insurance — even if you're healthy — still matters more than many realize. BuzzRx, a prescription drug discount card and app service, saves users hundreds of dollars each month and has partnered with Mo News for a series focused on America's health and the prescription drug industry. Mo News Special: BuzzRx is offering the Mo News community up to $5 off your first prescription fill at BuzzRx.com/MoNews

Every five minutes, someone somewhere in the world is diagnosed with MS. But getting that diagnosis can be challenging. And the evidence is clear that early intervention makes a difference. The sooner someone can begin a disease-modifying therapy, the better their outcome is going to be. World MS Day is May 30th, and this year, World MS Day is focused on eliminating the obstacles that get in the way of a timely and accurate diagnosis.    I thought World MS Day would be the perfect time to invite Meredith O'Brien to join me to discuss her new book, Uncomfortably Numb 2: An Anthology for Newly-Diagnosed MS Patients. We'll also explain how the drastic cuts to Medicaid funding that were approved by the U.S. House of Representatives will affect hundreds of thousands of people with MS, and how the additional changes made to the Affordable Care Act will leave millions of Americans without health insurance. We're sharing the results of a study that may have identified how B-cells infected by the Epstein-Barr Virus migrate into the brain. And we'll explain why that could be the activity that triggers MS. We'll tell you about a study that makes the case for treating pediatric MS with Ocrevus. And we'll share the results of a study that discovered an association between inflammation-causing molecules and frailty among people with relapsing forms of MS. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: World MS Day   :22 U.S. House of Representatives Vote to Gut Healthcare in America  2:29 Get involved! Become an MS Activist today!  3:38 A research team has demonstrated how EBV-infected B-cells migrate to the brain  4:28 Researchers demonstrate the efficacy of Ocrevus in treating pediatric MS  7:13 Researchers show an association between frailty and an inflammatory molecule  8:57 Meredith O'Brien discusses her new book, Uncomfortably Numb 2: An Anthology for Newly-Diagnosed MS Patients  11:05 Share this episode  24:51 Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app?  25:12 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/404 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: jon@realtalkms.com Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com Become an MS Activist Web: https://nationalmssociety.org/advocacy World MS Day https://worldmsday.org Uncomfortably Numb 2: An Anthology for Newly-Diagnosed MS Patients https://amazon.com/Uncomfortably-Numb-Anthology-Newly-Diagnosed-Patients/dp/1954332580/ref=sr_1_1 STUDY: Epstein-Barr Virus Induces Aberrant B Cell Migration and Diapedesis Via FAK-Dependent Chemotaxis Pathways https://nature.com/articles/s41467-025-59813-z STUDY: Ocrelizumab for Relapsing Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis https://sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/s2211034825002810 STUDY: Association Between Frailty and Inflammatory Cytokines in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Case-Control Study https://sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/s1043466625000924 Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Deviceshttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk Give RealTalk MS a rating and review http://www.realtalkms.com/review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 404 Guest: Meredith O'Brien Privacy Policy

After an unusual all-night session, the House narrowly passed a budget reconciliation bill, including billions of dollars in tax cuts for the wealthy, along with billions of dollars in spending cuts to Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and the food stamp program. But the Senate is expected to make major changes to the measure before it can go to President Trump for his signature.Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Human Services has made some significant changes affecting the availability of covid-19 vaccines.Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more.Also this week, Rovner interviews University of California-Davis School of Law professor and abortion historian Mary Ziegler about her new book on the past and future of the “personhood” movement aimed at granting legal rights to fetuses and embryos.Visit our website for a transcript of this episode.Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too:Julie Rovner: The Washington Post's “White House Officials Wanted To Put Federal Workers ‘in Trauma.' It's Working,” by William Wan and Hannah Natanson.Alice Miranda Ollstein: NPR's “Diseases Are Spreading. The CDC Isn't Warning the Public Like It Was Months Ago,” by Chiara Eisner.Anna Edney: Bloomberg News' “The Potential Cancer, Health Risks Lurking in One Popular OTC Drug,” by Anna Edney.Sarah Karlin-Smith: The Farmingdale Observer's “Scientists Have Been Studying Remote Work for Four Years and Have Reached a Very Clear Conclusion: ‘Working From Home Makes Us Happier,'” by Bob Rubila. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.