Podcasts about healthcare costs

This show today is a continuation of our mission/margin series because I wanted to drag into my investigation here what clinical organizations are up to, especially ones that have brought in professional capital, as they say. For a full transcript of this episode, click here. If you enjoy this podcast, be sure to subscribe to the free weekly newsletter to be a member of the Relentless Tribe. Before I kick in here, let me just remind everyone of a few themes that we have been poking in the eyeballs in the past few months over here at Relentless Health Value. First, patients cannot afford care. Listen to the show with Mark Cuban and Cora Opsahl (EP488) mentioning middle-class wage stagnation. Listen to the show with Merrill Goozner (EP388). Listen to the show with Wayne Jenkins, MD (EP358). It is a crapshoot to get medical care these days. Roll the dice and hope you don't get a bankrupting bill at the end. There's no transparency (or very little) for patients. No accountability or interest from many. Not all but many take no responsibility for their financial impact on their patients or members. And look, I am in no way speaking for the vast majority of doctors or nurses or pharmacists or PAs or even really good administrators or anybody else involved in clinical care. In fact, if you listen to the show with Komal Bajaj, MD (EP458) about how many clinicians do not actually trust their leadership will do right by patients or even the clinicians themselves, then yeah. This is undeniably the broad stroke of this industry we all work in. Many take no responsibility for their financial impact on their patients or members. That is the first theme. Here's the second theme. It's this motto: If you can take it, take as much as you can get. And throwing no shade, but let's just get real about that. Right now, healthcare is an industry just like any other industry. And when I say industry, I mean the tax-exempt so-called nonprofits as much as anybody else. Said another way, corporate healthcare leaders, just like any other business leaders, have every incentive to see prices go up. That is just the way commerce works. Listen to the show with Jonathan Baran (EP483, Part 1), the ones with Kevin Lyons (EP487, Part 1 and Part 2). But what is different than most other commerce endeavors when it comes to healthcare, and Shane Cerone from Kada says this in an upcoming episode, he says, “We don't have a broken healthcare market. In many parts of the country, there is no healthcare market. The market does not exist.” And thus prices can go up like rocket ships, because self-insured employers—and also public plan sponsors a lot of times, like state health plans—are, on the whole, just such unsophisticated buyers, price elasticity is, like, nonexistent. No matter how high the price, plan sponsors still contract for who's ever in the network; and they and their members ante up and pay the price. Many good and maybe not-so-good reasons for this (not getting into them), but net net, the result is a nonmarket. Anyone who wants to debate my corporate healthcare entities or big consolidated healthcare entities act just like any other corporate entity, read the recent Substack by Preston Alexander. It's about hospitals raising capital with bonds. Preston Alexander wrote, “The financial design of the system has turned what should be a largely altruistic service, one designed for public good and societal benefit, and forced it to act like a financial institution.” And so, with those bonds, welcome Wall Street. What do Wall Street bankers think about patient care and access and community health? Oh, they don't think about those things at all. Municipal bond returns, baby. That's it. Bonds are an investment where people who invest in them, returns are expected, just like shareholders who want their dividends. Preston Alexander wrote, “Most larger health systems carry billions (that was a ‘b' back there) in bond liabilities.” It costs money to build buildings and add beds and consolidate, yo; but now they are subject to the same pressures as publicly traded companies. So then I got my hands on Dan Greenleaf, CEO of Duly, a multispecialty group in Chicago. I was absolutely intrigued from the starting gate because Dan told me that mission can actually beget margin in his view, and he even, at Duly, has private equity investors. So, yeah, I was all ears. Dan Greenleaf, who is my guest today, by the way, if you haven't figured that out, told me that because of, but not limited to, the trends above wildly high prices, high premiums, high deductibles, more consolidation, fewer options, scared, confused, and maybe outraged patients—listen to the show with Peter Hayes (EP475)—Dan said that, given this backdrop, actually focusing on mission is a huge competitive advantage. Justina Lehman (EP414) actually also said this in a show from a few years ago. Dan told me, Dan Greenleaf, when you succeed at mission, you can get yourself decent margin these days. So, in this first episode, we will talk about this mission of which Dan Greenleaf speaks; and then in part 2 coming at you next week, we'll get into how that all spells margin. Here's what I thought was super important about this whole mission/margin conversation, and Mick Connors, MD, in a show coming up, also touches on this: To achieve mission, you really have to define what mission means. Ben Schwartz, MD, MBA (EP481) said this, too, in so many words in the show from last summer. And that doesn't mean just have a gloriously well-written Web page, and you just can't have spreadsheets of random quality metrics either. You have to treat the mission like you treat any strategic imperative. You gotta break it down and figure out how you're gonna measure what you're actually doing. Rik Renard (EP427) talked about this one, too. At Duly, which Dan Greenleaf talks about in this episode, the focus is on four quadrants of mission: (1) affordability, (2) access, (3) consumer experience, and (4) quality. In this conversation, Dan emphasizes that achieving these four quadrants reduces friction for patients and clinicians and leads to better care outcomes and financial stability. To be noted with one big fat fluorescent highlighter marker is this: A big part of this mission, in almost each of these quadrants, is about making prices reasonable and predictable and transparent for patients. In today's world, that's what customer experience must include—not just, like, lemon water in the waiting room. That struck me the most. And all this focus on affordability really adds up across the community. In Chicago, lower-cost alternatives to hospital services can save up to $2 billion. That is also with a “b.” And the communities are also healthier. Crazy. Hey, make sure patients and members can afford and have access to quality healthcare, and the community gets healthier. Who would've thought? Dan Greenleaf, CEO of Duly, my guest today, has been in healthcare for 30 years. This podcast is sponsored by Aventria Health Group, but I do just wanna mention that Duly so kindly offered Relentless Health Value some financial support, which we truly, truly appreciate. So, call this episode also sponsored with an assist by Duly. Here's my conversation with Dan Greenleaf, and do come back next week for part 2 like I said earlier. Today we talk mission. Next week we talk margin. Also mentioned in this episode are Duly Health and Care; Merrill Goozner; Wayne Jenkins, MD; Komal Bajaj, MD; Jonathan Baran; Kevin Lyons; Shane Cerone; Kada Health; Preston Alexander; Peter Hayes; Justina Lehman; Vivian Ho, PhD; Mick Connors, MD; Benjamin Schwartz, MD, MBA; Rik Renard; Mark Cuban; Dave Chase; Patrick Moore; Sam Flanders, MD; and Tom Nash. You can learn more at Duly Health and Care and follow Dan on LinkedIn. You can also email Dan at dan.greenleaf@duly.com.   Daniel E. Greenleaf is the chief executive officer of Duly Health and Care, one of the largest independent, multispecialty medical groups in the nation. Duly employs more than 1700 clinicians while serving 1.5 million patients in over 190 locations in the greater Chicago area and across the Midwest. The Duly Health and Care brand encompasses four entities—DuPage Medical Group, Quincy Medical Group, The South Bend Clinic, and a value-based care organization. Its scaled ancillary services include 6 Ambulatory Surgery Centers, 30 lab sites, 16 imaging sites, 39 physical therapy locations, and 100 infusion chairs. Its value-based care service line provides integrated care for 290,000 partial-risk and 100,000 full-risk lives (Medicare Advantage and ACO Reach). Dan has nearly 30 years of experience leading healthcare services organizations. He is a six-time healthcare CEO, including prior roles as president and CEO of Modivcare; president and CEO of BioScrip, Inc.; chairman and CEO of Home Solutions Infusion Services; and president and CEO of Coram Specialty Services. Dan graduated from Denison University with a bachelor of arts degree in economics (where he received the Alumni Citation—the highest honor bestowed upon a Denisonian) and holds an MBA in health administration from the University of Miami. A military veteran, he was a captain and navigator in the United States Air Force and served in Operation Desert Storm.   08:32 What should mission be in multispecialty? 08:54 Are mission and margin mutually exclusive? 10:47 What are the four “vectors” of Dan's mission? 11:32 Why does affordability matter? 12:11 EP466 with Vivian Ho, PhD. 12:40 EP488 with Mark Cuban and Cora Opsahl. 13:32 Who are the three payers in the marketplace? 17:31 EP388 with Merrill Goozner. 19:19 How does access play into mission? 20:28 EP464 with Al Lewis. 21:07 EP467 with Stacey. 22:56 Why price transparency is important to consumer experience. 24:16 LinkedIn post from Patrick Moore. 29:06 EP481 with Benjamin Schwartz, MD, MBA.   You can learn more at Duly Health and Care and follow Dan on LinkedIn. You can also email Dan at dan.greenleaf@duly.com.   @d_greenleaf of @dulyhealth_care discusses #mission and #margin in #multispecialtycare on our #healthcarepodcast. #healthcare #podcast #financialhealth #patientoutcomes #primarycare #digitalhealth #healthcareleadership #healthcaretransformation #healthcareinnovation   Recent past interviews: Click a guest's name for their latest RHV episode! Mark Cuban and Cora Opsahl, Kevin Lyons (Part 2), Kevin Lyons (Part 1), Dr Stan Schwartz (EP486), Dr Cristin Dickerson, Elizabeth Mitchell (Take Two: EP436), Dave Chase, Jonathan Baran (Part 2), Jonathan Baran (Part 1), Jonathan Baran (Bonus Episode), Dr Stan Schwartz (Summer Shorts)

In this episode of Good Morning Liberty, host Nate Thurston ventures solo to discuss the intricate details of healthcare, specifically focusing on Obamacare and its role in the current government shutdown. As Charlie Thompson is away for the week, Nate delves into the political wrangling over extending Obamacare subsidies and the broader economic implications. He highlights the unsustainable nature of government-subsidized programs, likening it to the inevitable price inflation seen in other sectors with heavy government involvement. By dissecting articles from the Washington Post and comments from public figures, Nate builds a case against the continuance of these temporary subsidies, arguing that they only exacerbate the fundamental issues plaguing the American healthcare system. 00:00 Intro 00:35 Government Shutdown and Obamacare Debate 02:24 Healthcare Costs and Subsidies 02:46 Washington Post Articles and Political Reactions 03:38 COVID-19 Impact on Healthcare Subsidies 14:47 Market Dynamics and Government Intervention 17:00 Washington Post Editorial on Government Spending 26:50 Hospital Profit Margins and Economic Adjustments 30:31 Government Spending and Social Security Concerns 34:35 Obamacare's Impact on Health Insurance 38:29 Challenges in the Health Insurance Market  

Jennifer J. Brown is a scientist, a writer, and a mother who never got the luxury of separating those roles. Her memoir When the Baby Is Not OK: Hopes & Genes is a punch to the gut of polite society and a medical system that expects parents to smile through trauma. She wrote it because she had to. Because the people who gave her the diagnosis didn't give her the truth. Because a Harvard-educated geneticist with two daughters born with PKU still couldn't get a straight answer from the very system she trained in.We sat down in the studio to talk about the unbearable loneliness of rare disease parenting, the disconnect between medical knowledge and human connection, and what it means to weaponize science against silence. She talks about bias in the NICU, the failure of healthcare communication, and why “resilience” is a lazy word. Her daughters are grown now. One's a playwright. One's an artist. And Jennifer is still raising hell.This is a conversation about control, trauma, survival, and rewriting the script when the world hands you someone else's lines.Bring tissues. Then bring receipts.RELATED LINKS• When the Baby Is Not OK (Book)• Jennifer's Website• Jennifer on LinkedInFEEDBACKLike this episode? Rate and review Out of Patients on your favorite podcast platform. For guest suggestions or sponsorship inquiries, visit outofpatients.show.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cut through the noise and get the full story. Purple Political Breakdown delivers comprehensive political analysis that goes beyond partisan talking points to examine what's really happening in American politics and around the world.Each episode features in-depth coverage of current events, from government shutdowns and Supreme Court decisions to international conflicts and domestic policy debates. Host Radell Lewis breaks down complex political issues with clarity and balance, fact-checking misleading claims from both sides while exploring the real-world impacts of policy decisions on everyday Americans.What You'll Get:Nuanced News: Deep dives into the week's major political developments, cutting through partisan spin to deliver factual, comprehensive reporting on federal government operations, legislative battles, executive actions, and judicial decisions.Research on a Dime: Accessible explanations of complex political topicsfrom government shutdown mechanics to healthcare policy to military operationsdelivered in plain language that respects your intelligence.4The Good News: Uplifting stories of progress, innovation, and community that remind us why civic engagement matters and that positive change is possible.Perfect for listeners who want substantive political analysis without the partisan cheerleading. Whether you're tracking Congressional negotiations, Supreme Court cases, international relations, or domestic policy debates, Purple Political Breakdown gives you the context and nuance needed to understand the political landscape.Keywords: political news, government analysis, bipartisan politics, current events, federal government, Congress, Supreme Court, policy analysis, fact-checking, political commentary, independent news, balanced coverage, Trump administration, healthcare policy, immigration, national security, economic policy, election coverage, political podcast, news breakdown, political educationNew episodes weekly. Stay informed, stay engaged, stay purple. - https://www.cbsnews.com/news/government-shutdown-2025-what-happens/ - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crrj1znp0pyo - https://www.brookings.edu/articles/what-is-a-government-shutdown-and-why-are-we-likely-to-have-another-one/ - https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03192-4 - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/fact-checking-what-politicians-are-saying-about-the-2025-government-shutdown - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdr6pnky7vyoStandard Resource Links & RecommendationsThe following organizations and platforms represent valuable resources for balanced political discourse and democratic participation: PODCAST NETWORKALIVE Podcast Network - Check out the ALIVE Network where you can catch a lot of great podcasts like my own, led by amazing Black voices. Link: https://alivepodcastnetwork.com/ CONVERSATION PLATFORMSHeadOn - A platform for contentious yet productive conversations. It's a place for hosted and unguided conversations where you can grow a following and enhance your conversations with AI features. Link: https://app.headon.ai/Living Room Conversations - Building bridges through meaningful dialogue across political divides. Link: https://livingroomconversations.org/ BALANCED NEWS & INFORMATIONOtherWeb - An AI-based platform that filters news without paywalls, clickbait, or junk, helping you access diverse, unbiased content. Link: https://otherweb.com/ VOTING REFORM & DEMOCRACYEqual Vote Coalition & STAR Voting - Advocating for voting methods that ensure every vote counts equally, eliminating wasted votes and strategic voting. Link: https://www.equal.vote/starFuture is Now Coalition (FiNC) - A grassroots movement working to restore democracy through transparency, accountability, and innovative technology while empowering citizens and transforming American political discourse FutureisFutureis. Link: https://futureis.org/ POLITICAL ENGAGEMENTIndependent Center - Resources for independent political thinking and civic engagement. Link: https://www.independentcenter.org/ Get Daily News: Text 844-406-INFO (844-406-4636) with code "purple" to receive quick, unbiased, factual news delivered to your phone every morning via Informed ( https://informed.now) All Links: https://linktr.ee/purplepoliticalbreakdownThe Purple Political Breakdown is committed to fostering productive political dialogue that transcends partisan divides. We believe in the power of conversation, balanced information, and democratic participation to build a stronger society. Our mission: "Political solutions without political bias."Subscribe, rate, and share if you believe in purple politics - where we find common ground in the middle! Also if you want to be apart of the community and the conversation make sure to Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/ptPAsZtHC9

Gaza negotiations, Trump wins in courts again, lots more fun~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Politics, Tamarind Microplastics Extraction, Unionizing Uber Lyft, 2028 AOC Newsom, Rigged Polling, Van Jones, Newspaper Copy Editors, SCOTUS Venezuelan Deportations, Russ Vought Cuts, Healthcare Costs, Privacy vs Safety, Comey Perp Walk Refusal, FBI Whistleblowers Biden, Sanctuary City Fed Funding, Portland Nick Sorter Arrest, Argentina Zero-Tolerance, China Sabotage NY Operation, Israel Hamas War, Ukraine War, Canned Corn Explosives, Europe Air Defense, Satellite vs Satellite Surveillance, Japan Right-Wing Leader, Sanae Takaichi, Purring Bone Repair, Scott Adams~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If you would like to enjoy this same content plus bonus content from Scott Adams, including micro-lessons on lots of useful topics to build your talent stack, please see scottadams.locals.com for full access to that secret treasure.

This episode of Standard Deviation features Oliver Bogler in conversation with Dr Na Zhao, a cancer biologist caught in the crossfire of science, politics, and survival. Na's life reads like a brutal lab experiment in persistence.She grew up in China, lost her mother and aunt to breast cancer before she turned twelve, then came to the United States to chase science as both an immigrant and a survivor's daughter. She worked two decades to reach the brink of independence as a cancer researcher, only to watch offers and grants vanish in the political chaos of 2025.Oliver brings her story into sharp focus, tracing the impossible climb toward a tenure-track position and the human cost of a system that pulls the ladder up just as people like Na reach for it. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the NIH funding crisis, the toll on early-career scientists, and what happens when personal tragedy fuels professional ambition.Listeners will walk away with a raw sense of how fragile the future of cancer research really is, and why people like Na refuse to stop climbing.RELATED LINKSDr Zhao at Baylor College of MedicineDr Zhao on LinkedInDr Zhao's Science articleIndirect Costs explained by US CongressFEEDBACKLike this episode? Rate and review Out of Patients on your favorite podcast platform. For guest suggestions or sponsorship inquiries, email podcast@matthewzachary.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you are listening to this prior to October 9, 2025, go to the 32BJ Changing the Playbook on Hospital Prices event, where Mark Cuban will be keynoting. Cora Opsahl will also be speaking, and I will be there listening. For a full transcript of this episode, click here. If you enjoy this podcast, be sure to subscribe to the free weekly newsletter to be a member of the Relentless Tribe. So, trust, simplicity, and a chicken. Yeah, this is where this whole conversation with Mark Cuban and Cora Opsahl winds up. And it is a barnstormer because you know what some really good advice is for anybody trying to do right by patients and taxpayers and plan sponsors? It will take trust. It will take making the complicated as simple as possible. And also if you could pay with a chicken, like in the good old days, that would be messy—I can say with confidence, having grown up in Pennsylvania Dutch country, where there are many, many chickens—but also being able to pay with a chicken could also indicate that healthcare prices are reasonably chicken proportionate and that the doctor-patient relationship is good enough to break bread (or have chicken). That last part is really important, and Cora Opsahl says this at one point in the episode that follows. It doesn't matter how wonderful the transparency or the financing. If the prices are insane and there's no more reasonably priced options in any given market, then yeah. Shane Cerone says in an upcoming show, he says, “We do not have a broken healthcare market. We do not have a healthcare market. There is no market.” Okay … so, you could call this conversation a continuation of the episode with Ann Kempski (EP444), entitled “Two State Healthcare Laws Often Don't Go as Planned.” But it's not just healthcare laws that often don't go as planned. It's some very foundational constructs that we have built the healthcare sector upon that may also not go as planned. The healthcare sector is like a game of pachinko. You chuck an input into the mix, and it will bounce all around into all the perverse incentives and human beings and the non-market that we have. And who the heck knows what is gonna pop out the other side? It's like game theory at its most unpredictable. So, in healthcare, there are many, many examples of when the solution to a problem arguably creates worse problems than the problems the solution was trying to solve for. But we—Mark Cuban, Cora Opsahl, and I—are gonna shake our fists at two such solutions today: high deductible health plans (or just high deductibles in general) and then self-insured employers trying to solve the complexity of the healthcare industry by hiring consultants and middlemen, middle people, and other vendors to navigate the pachinko parlor (that is, our $4.9 trillion healthcare sector) on their behalf. Now, I am not in any way saying the spirit of these two endeavors—high deductibles and hiring consultants and middlemen—weren't wholehearted. They seem just like many other well-intentioned solutions: very logical on their face. What I am saying is there are many ways in the real world for even the most, again, genuine endeavor to turn into a money grab for those so inclined. While at the same time I'm saying all this, I'm also very much saying that there are some amazing consultants and middle folks such as independent third-party administrators, otherwise known as TPAs, and PBMs (pharmacy benefit managers) who are transparent and hold themselves accountable to the fiduciary responsibilities that their clients are held to in real terms—not just in marketing speak with 40 pages of disclaimers following. There are great folks out there, many of whom listen to this podcast and are part of our tribe on the regular. And to you, I say thank you for being here, because it takes all the knowledge and more from every one of the guests featured in these past 487 Relentless Health Value episodes plus treating every day like a school day to make sure that we all are not getting shanked from behind by some innocent-looking contract term that turns out to be anything but. The conversation that follows starts out talking about high deductibles; naturally segues into how third-party intermediaries can actually exacerbate the issues here; then we get into transparency, financing, clinical organizations taking on risk, and the benefits and challenges of direct contracts; then Mark lays out a vision for the future. Okay … I wanna get to this conversation. If you are a new listener here—and you might be because … yeah, Mark Cuban—let me just inform you that this podcast is largely listened to by those who work in the healthcare industry. So, you are going to encounter acronyms. You will also encounter me referencing earlier episodes because surveys say listeners really appreciate these callbacks to go get additional information about any given topic. You can get what amounts to a personalized Master's of Healthcare Administration curriculum if you follow the episode threads long enough. And that was a direct quote from a listener. About the acronyms: They are holy terrors, and we in the healthcare industry are chock-full of them. See the list of acronyms that come up so that you can follow along at home if this is your first day at our rodeo. Also in the show notes is a transcript of this show, along with links to all of the mentioned episodes. Okay … here's my conversation with Mark Cuban, who is Mark Cuban and also CEO and founder of Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs. Also, we have Cora Opsahl, who is health fund director of the 32BJ Health Fund and an expert in many things healthcare. Also mentioned in this episode are Shane Cerone; Ann Kempski; Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs; 32BJ Health Fund; Preston Alexander; Stanley Schwartz, MD; Elizabeth Mitchell; Kimberly Carleson; Andreas Mang; Jonathan Baran; Claire Brockbank; Dave Chase; Cristin Dickerson, MD; Green Imaging; Kevin Lyons; and Vivian Ho, PhD.   You can learn more at markcubancompanies.com and costplusdrugs.com and follow Mark on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Threads, and X. You can follow Cora on LinkedIn.   Mark Cuban, a native of Pittsburgh, PA; a graduate of Indiana University; and now a Dallas, TX, resident, has always been an entrepreneur. From selling and trading baseball cards, selling garbage bags and magazines door-to-door, to starting a business buying and selling stamps at age 16, there have been few years in his life when he wasn't starting or running a business. He got a job at one of Dallas's first retail software stores, Your Business Software. He spent nine months doing everything from learning how to code, supporting and installing every type of business software, and of course, making sure the store opened on time. That went well until he made the executive decision to turn over the store opening duties to a peer so he could pick up a check for a sale. He was fired. Mark decided it was time to start on his own. The next day, MicroSolutions was founded. Over the next seven years, MicroSolutions became a national leader in Systems Integration and custom applications for local and wide area networks. Growing to 80 employees, never having a losing month of operations and nearly $36M in annualized sales, in 1990, MicroSolutions was sold to CompuServe. At that point Mark “retired” to investing in public and private companies. His knowledge of the networking industry led to success and brought returns of 80% and more each year. Mark purchased the Dallas Mavericks for $285M. The Mavs would have the second-best record in the NBA during his ownership tenure. Mark sold majority control of the Mavs in 2023 but continues to be actively involved with the team. He first appeared as a “Shark” on ABC's Emmy Award–winning hit business show Shark Tank in 2011 and quickly established himself as one of the most popular and tough Sharks, investing millions of dollars in hundreds of small businesses. He's been nominated nine times for an Emmy for Shark Tank. His last appearance on the program was during season 16 in May 2025. In 2019, Mark co-founded costplusdrugs.com. Its launch on January 19, 2022, with transparent pricing and a limited markup, has fundamentally changed the pricing of medications in the United States. Cora Opsahl is the director of the 32BJ Health Fund, a self-insured Taft-Hartley benefit fund that sets comprehensive design parameters to ensure the 200,000 members and families of SEIU 32BJ have easy and sustained access to affordable, high-quality healthcare. Cora has prioritized a data-driven approach, focusing on reducing trend, solving the affordability challenge on behalf of union members, and, most important, keeping members at the center of every decision. Under her leadership, the 32BJ Health Fund has saved more than $35 million annually—which it has reinvested in new and better benefits, including the first fertility benefit for members—by removing NewYork-Presbyterian hospitals and physicians from its network, transitioning to a new pharmacy vendor and pharmacy group purchasing coalition, and establishing an expanded Centers of Excellence program. In 2024, Cora conducted an innovative medical request for proposal, stipulating that all finalists have a signature-ready contract drafted by the 32BJ Health Fund prior to award. As a result, the Fund negotiated an agreement that brought unprecedented visibility and increased accountability to its benefit. In 2025, the Health Fund is focused on direct-contracting opportunities that allow it to carve out key benefits and ensure quality while managing spend. Cora is regarded as an expert in pharmacy benefit management and was recently appointed to the Board of Governors for the National Alliance for Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions and the Purchaser Advisory Council for the National Quality Forum and Joint Commission. She previously worked at Express Scripts, where she held a variety of roles, ranging from Medicare Part D to operations, strategy, and acquisitions. Cora earned an MBA from Saint Louis University.   06:25 What was the original rationale behind high deductibles? 07:38 How high deductibles are creating a class of functionally uninsured people. 09:29 EP482 with Preston Alexander. 10:20 “We're using health insurance as a proxy for healthcare.” —Mark 12:30 How providers are now in the debt collecting business rather than the healthcare business. 12:55 EP486 with Stan Schwartz, MD. 15:16 “We have a fundamental reasonability problem.” —Cora 16:07 EP425 with Marshall Allen. 18:25 Direct contracting versus self-funded employers. 19:27 EP436 with Elizabeth Mitchell. 19:30 EP480 with Kimberly Carleson. 19:33 EP372 with Cora Opsahl. 23:53 Why the current system doesn't allow the accountability that is needed. 24:39 EP452 with Cora Opsahl. 26:34 How direct contracting gives strength back to independent practices that high deductible plans take away. 27:46 Who pays, what's the price, and where does the power lie? 31:24 EP419 with Andreas Mang. 34:45 How it comes down to power and leverage when controlling healthcare costs. 38:13 EP483 (Part 1 and Part 2) with Jonathan Baran. 38:35 Why putting together a network and just buying healthcare—not discounts—is not as difficult as it seems. 40:10 Why we need to stop talking about disruption and start talking about change. 40:56 EP453 with Claire Brockbank. 41:02 EP484 with Dave Chase. 43:07 EP485 with Cristin Dickerson, MD. 44:32 EP487 (Part 1) with Kevin Lyons. 46:34 EP466 with Vivian Ho, PhD. 47:40 Why it's the incentives that are different between American hospitals and hospitals in a single-payer program. 50:25 The main takeaways from the conversation. 51:08 Why you can't fix the problems in healthcare without transparency.   You can learn more at markcubancompanies.com and costplusdrugs.com and follow Mark on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Threads, and X. You can follow Cora on LinkedIn.   @mcuban of @costplusdrugs and Cora Opsahl discuss trust and simplicity in #healthcare on our #healthcarepodcast. #podcast #financialhealth #patientoutcomes #primarycare #digitalhealth #healthcareleadership #healthcaretransformation #healthcareinnovation   Recent past interviews: Click a guest's name for their latest RHV episode! Kevin Lyons (Part 2), Kevin Lyons (Part 1), Dr Stan Schwartz (EP486), Dr Cristin Dickerson, Elizabeth Mitchell (Take Two: EP436), Dave Chase, Jonathan Baran (Part 2), Jonathan Baran (Part 1), Jonathan Baran (Bonus Episode), Dr Stan Schwartz (Summer Shorts), Preston Alexander

Today, I'm joined by Anup Malani. He's a professor of law at the University of Chicago, currently on leave, serving as the first Chief Economist at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This means he oversees economic analysis for the agency managing $2 trillion in annual healthcare spending — 23% of the entire federal budget. CMS runs Medicare for 70 million elderly Americans, Medicaid for low-income families, and the health insurance exchanges where millions buy coverage.Malani answers a lot of questions I have about American healthcare policy:* The US spends 20% of GDP on healthcare. Why is our life expectancy so bad?* How do you crack down on Medicare fraud without hurting patients who need care?* What incentives do private insurers like UnitedHealth have to make patients look sicker than they are?* What do academic economists get wrong about policy?The full transcript for this conversation is at www.statecraft.pub. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.statecraft.pub

Emory University is launching its global Compassion Shift initiative this week. It’s all part of Emory’s “Year of Compassion.” Ryder Delaloye, the associate director of Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning at Emory, talked more about the compassion initiatives, SEE Learning, and compassionate training. He also explained the difference between empathy and compassion, and talked about research that shows compassion is a skill that can be trained. Additionally, a new report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office reveals that more than $54.2 million in federal and state taxpayer dollars has been spent on administrative costs for the Georgia Pathways to Coverage program. That’s twice as much as what’s being spent on health care costs for Georgians. Margaret Coker, the co-founder and editor in chief at The Current, talks with show host Rose Scott about her coverage of the GOA report, plus the past and present state of health care in Georgia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie Henry has seen some things. From nonprofit bootstraps to Big Pharma boardrooms, she's been inside the machine—and still believes we can fix it. We go deep on her winding road from folding sweaters at J.Crew to launching a vibrator-based advocacy campaign that accidentally changed the sexual health narrative in breast cancer.Katie doesn't pull punches. She's a born problem solver with zero tolerance for pink fluff and performative empathy. We talk survivor semantics, band camp trauma, nonprofit burnout, and why “Didi” is the grandparent alter ego you never saw coming.She's Murphy Brown with a marimba. Veronica Sawyer in pharma. Carla Tortelli with an oncology Rolodex. And she still calls herself a learner.This is one of the most honest, hilarious, and refreshingly real conversations I've had. Period.RELATED LINKS:Katie Henry on LinkedInKatie Henry on ResearchGateLiving Beyond Breast CancerNational Breast Cancer CoalitionFEEDBACK:Like this episode? Rate and review Out of Patients on your favorite podcast platform. For guest suggestions or sponsorship inquiries, email podcast@matthewzachary.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

 D.J. and the “Henssler Money Talks” hosts breaks down Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and explains why they're one of the most powerful tools for saving money—thanks to their unique triple tax benefit. While many people use HSAs to pay for health care expenses as they arise, there are compelling advantages to covering those costs from other funds and allowing the HSA to accumulate, benefiting from tax-deferred growth over time. Original Air Date: September 27, 2025 Read the Article: https://www.henssler.com/health-savings-accounts-the-hidden-gem-in-your-financial-plan 

'BradCast' 9/24/2025: Gov't Shutdown and Skyrocketing Healthcare Costs Loom by Progressive Voices

We'll talk to Kathy Hempstead, a national health policy expert with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, about the impact of Congress and the president killing the tax credits that have made health insurance more affordable to Americans over the past four years. Restoring those credits is at the heart of a fight in Washington that could result in a government shutdown next week. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Katherine Hempstead

FDA announces crackdown on misleading TV drug ads, influencers, online drug dispensaries; What's a “twisted colon”? Doctors often jump the gun in prescribing ADHD meds to young kids before behavioral fixes; A new era in skincare powered by urolithin A.

Free Copy of My Book: Building Wealth In the TSP: Your Road Map To Financial Freedom as A Federal Employee: https://app.hawsfederaladvisors.com/free-tsp-e-book FREE WEBINAR: "The 7 Biggest FERS Retirement Mistakes": https://app.hawsfederaladvisors.com/7biggestmistakeswebinar Want to schedule a consultation? Click here: https://hawsfederaladvisors.com/work-with-us/ Submit a question here: https://app.hawsfederaladvisors.com/question-submission I am a practicing financial planner, but I'm not your financial planner. Please consult with your own tax, legal and financial advisors for personalized advice.

Dr. Robert Biernbaum of WellNow Urgent Care on a recent poll finding moms are skipping utility and rent payments to cover health care costs full 362 Mon, 22 Sep 2025 07:21:00 +0000 lnFTdnD9GnS3vtjWPfhmM0pXsCEGiCDx news & politics,news WBEN Extras news & politics,news Dr. Robert Biernbaum of WellNow Urgent Care on a recent poll finding moms are skipping utility and rent payments to cover health care costs Archive of various reports and news events 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. News & Politics News

In Episode 487 of Relentless Health Value, host Stacey Richter speaks with Kevin Lyons, a former police detective and current executive director at the New Jersey State Police Benevolence Association. They explore, in this two part episode, the significant challenges public sector employees face in obtaining cost-effective health benefits.  The discussion highlights key issues, including the influence of industry profit motives, governmental hiring practices, and media sponsorship biases. Lyons shares insights on the rapidly escalating costs of healthcare for state workers, with specific examples from New Jersey, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions and improved legislative action. The conversation sets the stage for a subsequent episode where Lyons will delve deeper into applying detective skills to uncover financial trails and propose effective changes. Tune in next week for  part 2 when Kevin talks about how he pulls out his notebook and uses what he learned as a detective to, first of all, figure out everything probably that we just talked about in this part one. But also, you can't solve for something unless you do what most investigators do, which is follow the money. === LINKS ===

Since 2005, the Milliman Medical Index (MMI) has estimated annual healthcare costs for people covered by a typical employer-sponsored health plan. To mark the 20th anniversary of the report, MMI authors past and present gathered to review how healthcare has changed over the past two decades. They discussed the impact of the Affordable Care Act and the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise in drug advertising and outpatient care, and how trends might change again in the next 20 years.You can read the episode transcript on our website.

Employers are facing big jumps in employee medical and health insurance costs next year. What can they do to mitigate the increases? David W. Johnson and Julie Murchinson share their ideas on how employers can counter the projected big increases on, “Yes, Employers, You Can Do Something About Rising Healthcare Costs,” the new episode of the 4sight Health Roundup podcast, moderated by David Burda.

AP's Lisa Dwyer reports that Amazon is investing more money for many of it's US workers.

* If Obamacare tax credits go away, over 92,000 people in Louisiana could lose health insurance according to some. We break down how healthcare and insurance work and how things have changed since the Affordable Care Act * Do you shop around for better insurance coverage, or do you stick with the company you've been working with for awhile? A new study shows 57% of customers shopped around last year for better deals last year.

Ben Hanson, American Cancer Society Action Network, joins Afternoons Live with Tyler Axness to discuss his lobbying effort to avoid cuts to healthcare subsidies for North Dakotans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when you hand a mic to the most extroverted, uncensored Gen Z career coach in New York? You get Olivia Battinelli—adjunct professor, student advisor, mentor, speaker, and unfiltered truth-teller on everything from invisible illness to resume crimes.We talked about growing up Jewish-Italian in Westchester, surviving the Big Four's corporate Kool-Aid, and quitting a job after 7 months because the shower goals weren't working out. She runs NYU Steinhardt's internship program by day, roasts Takis and “rate my professor” trolls by night, and somehow makes room for maple syrup takes, career coaching, and a boyfriend named Dom who sounds like a supporting character from The Sopranos.She teaches kids how to talk to humans. She's allergic to BS. And she might be the most Alexis Rose-meets-Maeve Wiley-mashup ever dropped into your feed. Welcome to her first podcast interview. It's pure gold.RELATED LINKS:Olivia Battinelli on LinkedInOlivia's Liv It Up Coaching WebsiteOlivia on InstagramNYU Steinhardt Faculty PageFEEDBACK:Like this episode? Rate and review Out of Patients on your favorite podcast platform. For guest suggestions or sponsorship inquiries, email podcast@matthewzachary.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sophie Sargent walked into the studio already owning the mic. A pandemic-era media rebel raised in New Hampshire, trained in Homeland Security (yep), and shaped by rejection, she's built a career out of DM'ing her way into rooms and then owning them. At 25, she's juggling chronic illness, chronic overachievement, and a generation that gets dismissed before it even speaks.We talk Lyme disease, Lyme denial, and the healthcare gaslighting that comes when you “look fine” but your body says otherwise. We dive into rejection as a career accelerant, mental health as content porn, and what it means to chase purpose without sacrificing identity. Sophie's a former morning radio host, country music interviewer, and Boston-based creator with a real voice—and she uses it.No fake podcast voice. No daddy-daughter moment. Just two loudmouths from different planets figuring out what it means to be seen, believed, and taken seriously in a system designed to do the opposite.Spoiler: She's smarter than I was at 25. And she'll probably be your boss someday.RELATED LINKSSophie on InstagramSophie on YouTubeSophie on LinkedInMedium article: “Redefining Rejection”See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

To hear the Speaker of the House tell it, Republicans have no interest in working with Democrats to reach a budget deal and avoid a government shutdown — even though GOP members can't agree among themselves how to write a budget. Democrats are demanding Republicans dismantle a health care cost bomb that's going to skyrocket health insurance premiums, but Speaker Mike Johnson seems content to watch families endure healthcare sticker shock. We'll talk to Courier Newsroom's Cam Stevenson on Capitol Hill, and we'll visit with Dan Shafer from The Recombobulation Area with the latest on the Wisconsin governor's race. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Dan Shafer, Cam Stevenson

CONTINUED Gene Marks describes a mixed economic picture, noting that a national "slowdown" isn't universally felt, with many small businesses thriving. He highlights challenges like rising healthcare costs, spurring interest in self-insurance and health reimbursement arrangements. Marks discusses AI's impact on the workforce, specifically reducing sales and tech roles in large companies like Salesforce, but predicts a surge in demand for skilled trades not easily replaced by AI. 1918

Gene Marks describes a mixed economic picture, noting that a national "slowdown" isn't universally felt, with many small businesses thriving. He highlights challenges like rising healthcare costs, spurring interest in self-insurance and health reimbursement arrangements. Marks discusses AI's impact on the workforce, specifically reducing sales and tech roles in large companies like Salesforce, but predicts a surge in demand for skilled trades not easily replaced by AI. 1920 ROOSEVELT AND COX

The Friday Five for September 12, 2025: Ritter Summit Takeaways Part 2 Are Brokers Still in the Crosshairs? Policy and Market Updates for 2026 2026 Medicare & You Handbook Release Date for iOS, iPadOS, MacOS, and WatchOS 26 CMS & HHS Expand ACA Catastrophic Coverage Enrollment   Ritter Summit Takeaways Part 2: Register for Ritter Insurance Marketing Summits   Are Brokers Still in the Crosshairs? Policy and Market Updates for 2026: Watch the Webinar   2026 Medicare & You Handbook: Download Your Copy   Release Date for iOS, iPadOS, MacOS, and WatchOS 26: Peters, Jay. “iOS 26 Is out on September 15th.” Theverge.Com, The Verge, 9 Sept. 2025, www.theverge.com/news/770784/apple-ios-26-release-date-liquid-glass. McAuliffe, Zachary. “I Was Right Yet Again: iOS 26 Is Coming Monday, Sept. 15.” Cnet.Com, CNET, 9 Sept. 2025, www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/i-was-right-yet-again-ios-26-is-coming-monday-sept-15/. Perry, Alex. “Apple iOS 26 Release Date: When You Can Download It.” Mashable.Com, Mashable, 9 Sept. 2025, mashable.com/article/apple-ios-26-release-date-how-to-download. Diaz, Maria. “iOS 26 Update Is Coming Soon - How to Download It (and Which iPhones Support It).” Zdnet.Com, ZDNET, 10 Sept. 2025, www.zdnet.com/article/ios-26-update-is-coming-soon-how-to-download-it-and-which-iphones-support-it/. Teague, Katie. “iOS 26: What to Know about the Free iPhone Software Update Arriving September 15.” Engadget.Com, Engadget, 11 Sept. 2025, www.engadget.com/mobile/ios-26-what-to-know-about-the-free-iphone-software-update-arriving-september-15-135749658.html.   CMS & HHS Expand ACA Catastrophic Coverage Enrollment: August 22, 2025 Friday Five: Judge Vacates HHS MA Commissions Lawsuit “By the Numbers: House Bill Takes Health Coverage Away From Millions of People and Raises Families' Health Care Costs.” Cbpp.Org, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, www.cbpp.org/research/health/by-the-numbers-house-bill-takes-health-coverage-away-from-millions-of-people-and. Accessed 11 Sept. 2025. “CMS Broadens Access to Catastrophic Exchange Plans.” Modernhealthcare.Com, Modern Healthcare, 4 Sept. 2025, www.modernhealthcare.com/politics-regulation/mh-catastrophic-health-plans-open-enrollment-2026/. “Entities Approved to Use Enhanced Direct Enrollment.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 9 Aug. 2024, www.cms.gov/files/document/ede-approved-partner.pdf. Reed, Tina. “Exclusive: HHS to Expand Eligibility for Catastrophic Plans.” Axios.Com, Axios, 4 Sept. 2025, www.axios.com/2025/09/04/trump-hhs-expand-catastrophic-plan-eligibility. “Expanding Access to Health Insurance: Consumers to Gain Access to ‘Catastrophic' Health Insurance Plans in 2026 Plan Year.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 4 Sept. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/expanding-access-health-insurance-consumers-gain-access-catastrophic-health-insurance-plans-2026. “Guidance on Hardship Exemptions for Individuals Ineligible for Advance Payment of the Premium Tax Credit or Cost-Sharing Reductions Due to Income, and Streamlining Exemption Pathways to Coverage.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 4 Sept. 2025, www.cms.gov/files/document/guidance-hardship-exemptions.pdf. “HHS Expands Access to Affordable Health Insurance.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 4 Sept. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hhs-expands-access-affordable-health-insurance. “HHS Expands Access to Affordable Health Insurance.” HHS.Gov, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 4 Sept. 2025, www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-expands-access-affordable-catastrophic-health-coverage.html. Ortaliza, Jared, Matt McGough, Kaitlyn Vu, et al. “How Much and Why ACA Marketplace Premiums Are Going up in 2026.” Healthsystemtracker.Org, KFF, 6 Aug. 2025, www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/how-much-and-why-aca-marketplace-premiums-are-going-up-in-2026/. Minemyer, Paige. “Trump Administration Expands Access to ACA Catastrophic Plans.” Fiercehealthcare.Com, Fierce Healthcare, 4 Sept. 2025, www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/trump-administration-expands-access-aca-catastrophic-plans.   Resources: 2026 ACA & Medicare Cost Projections 3 Benefits of Selling ACA Insurance Plans 5 Medicare Myths Your Clients May Believe 2026 ACA Exchange & FFM Certification Info Judge Grants Stay on Many 2025 ACA Final Rule Provisions The ICHRA Opportunity for Agents ft. Lisa Marzolino & Danica Stover The Survivor's AEP Checklist   Get Connected:

In this episode of Relentless Health Value, host Stacey Richter sits down with Dr. Stan Schwartz, co-founder of ZERO.health, to explore the practical realities and benefits of direct contracting in healthcare.  Dr. Schwartz shares his journey from traditional healthcare to pioneering bundled payments and direct contracts, offering actionable insights for employers, providers, and anyone interested in making healthcare more affordable and predictable. The conversation covers the challenges of claims, cost variability, operationalizing direct contracts, and the impact on both patients and providers. Discover how employers and providers can use bundled payments to cut costs, simplify administration, and deliver $0 out-of-pocket care for patients. It was an honor to get Dr. Schwartz on the pod, and we are doubly thankful because he stepped up and offered to help support Relentless Health Value financially as well as spending his time with me and you. So, thanks to everyone over at ZERO.health for being part of the kind of folks who support shows like this one. Dr. Stan Schwartz is co-founder over at ZERO.health. ZERO gets members access to high-quality providers for $0 out of pocket, leveraging bundled payments and direct contracting. This episode, as I just said, is sponsored by ZERO.health, with an assist from Aventria Health Group. === LINKS ===

Healthcare costs have become one of the biggest wild cards in retirement planning. While you're diligently saving for your golden years, medical expenses are quietly working against you, threatening to derail even the most carefully crafted retirement plans. In this episode, WHZ's Jonathan Mathews shares what you can do to protect your health and wealth during retirement.- Subscribe to the You and Your Money podcast- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube- See how we can create a tailored financial strategy to help you live with Absolute Confidence, Unwavering Partnership, For Life: whzwealth.com

What if understanding your healthcare costs was as simple and predictable? Rising medical costs and confusing benefit designs leave both employers and employees frustrated. In this episode of Health Care Reinvented, Highmark leaders Jonathan Majernik and Taylor Mackay reveal how their new CopayGo plan aims to change that by offering transparent, predictable costs and a seamless digital experience for members nationwide. Learn how CopayGo eliminates deductibles and co-insurance to create a straightforward copay-only plan. See how a national provider network with tiered specialties can lower costs while improving quality. Discover how Highmark's enhanced digital tools empower members to confidently shop for and manage their care. Press play now to hear how CopayGo is redefining healthcare access, affordability, and transparency for both employers and members.

This episode is sponsored by Invivyd, Inc.Marc Elia is a biotech investor, the Chairman of the Board at Invivyd, and a Long COVID patient who decided to challenge the system while still stuck inside it. He's not here for corporate platitudes, regulatory shoulder shrugs, or vaccine-era gaslighting. This is not a conversation about politics, but it's about power and choice and the right to receive care and treatment no matter your condition.In this episode, we cover everything from broken clinical pathways to meme coins and the eternal shame of being old enough to remember Eastern Airlines. Marc talks about what it means to build tools instead of just complaining, what Long COVID has done to his body and his patience, and why the illusion of “choice” in healthcare is a luxury most patients don't have.This conversation doesn't ask for empathy. It demands it.RELATED LINKSMarc Elia on LinkedInInvivyd Company SiteMarc's Bio at InvivydFEEDBACKLike this episode? Rate and review Out of Patients on your favorite podcast platform. For guest suggestions or sponsorship inquiries, email podcast@matthewzachary.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us a textForget about the price of eggs. It's healthcare costs that are rising fast. Double digit increases are coming for 2026 and cost sharing is rising for employees. Weight loss drugs like Ozempic are adding billions to the bill and AI is a wild card, which could bring costs down or make them rise even faster.  In this episode, David E. Williams and John Driscoll unpack what's driving the rising cost of healthcare and what it means for the future.

A new Mercer survey projects that employer health benefit costs will rise 6.5% in 2026, marking the sharpest increase in 15 years. The report cites provider consolidation, inflation, rising medical wages and new technologies as key drivers. While many companies are pursuing cost-saving strategies, employees may still face higher deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Generation X is often called the “forgotten middle child” between Boomers and Millennials, but with 65 million Gen Xers moving into their 50s and early 60s, they're facing a massive financial challenge: skyrocketing healthcare costs. In this episode of Friends Talk Money, Pam Krueger, Terry Savage, and Richard Eisenberg unpack why healthcare, not retirement savings, is now the #1 financial concern for Gen X. From high insurance premiums and long-term care to hidden out-of-pocket costs, we break down: Why Gen X is more worried about healthcare than retirement savings How rising costs are squeezing families still raising kids & saving for retirement What Medicare will and won't cover Smart planning tools: HSAs, catch-up contributions & employer health benefits Why fee-only fiduciary advisors can help Gen Xers plan ahead and avoid surprises If you're Gen X (or love someone who is), this is a must-listen to help prepare for a healthier, more financially secure retirement.  Links: This is Generation X's biggest retirement worry — and it's not money (MarketWatch) Gen X Is Headed for Retirement Crisis: 5 Ways To Avoid Being Part of the Trend (GoBankingRates) Three Things You Should Do – And Not Do – To Prepare For Your Retirement (Wealthramp) Health Savings Account (Terry Savage) Want to Retire at 67? See if You Can Answer These Five Questions (Kiplinger)

After years of carrying the weight of lead, Shannon and Cooper find a path out from under the darkness and into the sunlight.LEAD: how this story ends is up to us is an audio docudrama series that tells the true story of one child, his mysterious lead poisoning, and his mother's unwavering fight to keep him safe. A true story written by Shannon Burkett. Directed by Alan Taylor. Starring Merritt Wever, Alessandro Nivola, Cynthia Nixon, and Cooper Burkett.Lead was produced by Shannon Burkett. Co-produced by Jenny Maguire. Featuring Amy Acker, Tom Butler, Dennis T. Carnegie, James Carpinello, Geneva Carr, Dann Fink, Alice Kris, Adriane Lenox, Katie O'Sullivan, Greg Pirenti, Armando Riesco, Shirley Rumierk, Thom Sesma, and Lana Young. Music by Peter Salett. “Joy In Resistance” written by Abena Koomson-Davis and performed by Resistance Revival Chorus. Casting by Alaine Alldaffer and Lisa Donadio. Sound Design by Andy Kris. Recording Engineer Krissopher Chevannes.For corresponding visuals and more information on how to protect children from lead exposure please go to https://endleadpoisoning.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rising healthcare costs in the U.S. threaten people's access to treatment and services while reducing their ability to afford other necessities. Over the last decade, state policymakers across the political spectrum have responded to this urgent problem by passing legislation, setting up new government offices, and adding regulations to control healthcare spending. One critical element of states' maturing strategies for addressing healthcare costs is high quality, timely, and accessible data. In the latest episode of Mathematica's On the Evidence podcast, Jim Lloyd of the New Jersey Department of Health, Rachel Block of the Milbank Memorial Fund, and Julie Sonier of Mathematica discuss why rising healthcare costs present a complex and urgent issue, how states are responding, and the role of data in supporting solutions that address healthcare cost growth. “We have this healthcare system with much higher costs than other countries around the world, but we also have less access,” Lloyd explains. “There's an opportunity to be able to identify those costs that are contributing to quality, identify those costs that aren't, and then increase access and increase quality, potentially without increasing costs.” A blog summarizing the episode, with quotes from the guests and additional resources for further learning are available at https://mathematica.org/blogs/turning-data-into-solutions-for-reducing-healthcare-cost-growth-in-states

On Thursday's show: In light of the school shooting in Minneapolis, we get a refresher on the safety requirements the Texas Legislature established in 2023 and how much of those requirements are paid for by the funding passed during the most recent legislative session.And we learn about efforts at the capitol to replace the STAAR test.Also this hour: We learn why the premiums for some health insurance plans in Texas are expected to rise a lot next year.Then, on this month's edition of The Bigger Picture: The horror film Weapons features a scenario that would frighten any parent. We talk about the film and discuss real world concerns that stick in some parents' minds.And we reflect on the punk rock scene in Texas, including here in Houston, which is documented in the new book, Someday All the Adults Will Die! The Birth of Texas Punk by Pat Blashill, who will reminisce about the Houston punk rock scene at an event this Sunday, Aug. 31, from 4-6 p.m. at Basket Books and Art.

As news of tariffs comes and go, one recent study found that a majority of small businesses have had zero exposure to international supply chains and 45% source more than half of their materials from their city or state. Gene Marks also talks about high levels of optimism among these businesses. More good news: Manufacturing expanded at its fastest pace in August since 2022. Tempering that is a projected 10% hike in healthcare costs that could create challenges for businesses, so Gene offers tips on how to approach this. Plus, a major jump in AI adoption by small businesses. Webinar: ICE Raids and I-9 Audits: How to protect your business from costly mistakes. (go.paychex.com/i9webinar) DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

The landscape of employee benefits has undergone a seismic shift in the last decade. From the rise of telemedicine to the introduction of lifestyle spending accounts and stipends for services like DoorDash and HelloFresh, employers are reimagining how they support workers in a post-pandemic, inflation-conscious world. With healthcare costs rising and talent competition intensifying, the stakes for innovative benefit design have never been higher. According to SHRM's Employee Benefits Survey, 88% of employers rated healthcare benefits as “very important” or “extremely important” to their workforce—underscoring the central role benefits play in retention and satisfaction today.So, what does the future of employee benefits look like—and how can employers balance cost containment with employee satisfaction?On this episode of I Don't Care, host Dr. Kevin Stevenson welcomes Bret Brummitt, founder of Generous Benefits, to explore the evolving trends shaping how companies support their workforce. Together, they unpack the shift toward virtual care, cash-based allowances, and new models of cost control that both meet employee expectations and protect employer budgets.Key Takeaways from the Conversation…Virtual healthcare is now mainstream: From tele-mental health to virtual physical therapy, COVID-era innovations have permanently reshaped care delivery models.Cash-based and lifestyle accounts are booming: Employers are moving away from rigid perks toward flexible stipends for wellness, meal delivery, gym memberships, and more.Cost containment strategies are evolving: Direct contracts, bundled surgical pricing, and innovative pharmacy models are helping employers save without alienating employees.Bret Brummitt is the founder of Generous Benefits, a consultancy focused on reimagining employee benefit structures to meet modern workforce needs. With over a decade of experience in insurance and benefits, Bret transitioned from traditional product sales to a mission-driven approach centered on creativity, flexibility, and cost control. He is recognized as a thought leader in benefit innovation, regularly advising organizations on how to balance financial sustainability with employee well-being.

The deficits from the lead poisoning continue to intensify, Shannon channels her anger and grief into holding the people who hurt her son responsible.LEAD how this story ends is up to us is a true story written and produced by Shannon Burkett. Co-produced by Jenny Maguire. Directed by Alan Taylor. Starring Merritt Wever, Alessandro Nivola, Cynthia Nixon, and Cooper Burkett.EP4 features Eboni Booth, Sasha Eden, Kevin Kane, April Matthis, Alysia Reiner, and Mandy Siegfried. Casting by Alaine Alldaffer and Lisa Donadio. Music by Peter Salett. Sound Design by Andy Kris. Recording Engineer Krissopher Chevannes.For corresponding visuals and more information on how to protect children from lead exposure please go to https://endleadpoisoning.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Follow us on X: @americasrt1776 @ileaderssummit @NatashaSrdoc @JoelAnandUSA @supertalk Join America's Roundtable (https://americasrt.com/) radio co-hosts Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy with a successful entrepreneur Lori Hinze on the impact of President Trump's economic reforms in the business environment and economic growth in America. As a pro-Israel business leader, Lori Hinze has engaged with US and Israeli business leaders on the economic fronts and hosted strategic travel trips to the Jewish state. She is the co-founder of CookLearnGrow, a professional mobile culinary program offering fun, hands-on skill-based education for all ages, with a mission to promote food literacy through interactive learning and experiences. She has personally trained more than 10,000 culinary students and is expanding her business to new geographic areas. As President Donald Trump has prominently featured the MAHA campaign to "Make America Healthy Again," Lori Hinze communicates about the importance of educating a new generation and parents on healthy eating, awareness of which may impact the future of healthcare costs for all Americans. About Lori Hinze As a conservative leader, she uses food to offer unique experiences in Israel, building bridges between Americans and the Jewish communities and along the way, trying to bring awareness to the spirituality of food and wine. Lori enjoys speaking at events on The Food & Wine of Israel, Why Israel Matters and leading cooking workshops in Jerusalem and the States. She has been featured at the Austin and Houston Home & Garden Shows, Becker Vineyards Lavender Festival, the Austin Farmers Markets, as well as featured in the Austin American Statesman, Edible Austin notable mentions and My Fox Austin, KXAN and Fox 26 Houston morning cooking segments. Lori has had the privilege of cooking alongside some of the nation's most notable chefs: Los Angeles' Govind Armstrong, Philadelphia's Georges Pierre, Kendall Jackson's Justin Wrangler; New York City's Matt Hughes and many others. Follow us on X: @americasrt1776 @ileaderssummit @NatashaSrdoc @JoelAnandUSA @supertalk America's Roundtable is co-hosted by Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy, co-founders of International Leaders Summit and the Jerusalem Leaders Summit. America's Roundtable (https://americasrt.com/) radio program focuses on America's economy, healthcare reform, rule of law, security and trade, and its strategic partnership with rule of law nations around the world. The radio program features high-ranking US administration officials, cabinet members, members of Congress, state government officials, distinguished diplomats, business and media leaders and influential thinkers from around the world. Tune into America's Roundtable Radio program from Washington, DC via live streaming on Saturday mornings via 68 radio stations at 7:30 A.M. (ET) on Lanser Broadcasting Corporation covering the Michigan and the Midwest market, and at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk Mississippi — SuperTalk.FM reaching listeners in every county within the State of Mississippi, and neighboring states in the South including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee. Tune into WTON in Central Virginia on Sunday mornings at 6:00 A.M. (ET). Listen to America's Roundtable on digital platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Google and other key online platforms. Listen live, Saturdays at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk | https://www.supertalk.fm

What if the biggest threat to your retirement isn’t financial—but conversational? In this episode, Abe Abich explores three critical discussions every couple should have before turning 65. From aligning lifestyle expectations to budgeting for healthcare, Abe unpacks how miscommunication can derail even the best-laid plans. Tune in for real-life examples and practical insights to help you and your spouse retire in sync. Schedule your complimentary appointment today: TheRetirementKey.com Get a free copy of Abe’s book: The Retirement Mountain: The 7 Steps To A Long-Lasting Retirement Follow us on social media: YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Tom Varghese, MD, FACS, is joined by Timothy Pawlik, MD, FACS, from The Ohio State University. They discuss Dr Pawlik's recent article, “Association of Discharge Against Medical Advice with Surgical Outcomes and Healthcare Cost,” in which the authors found that discharge against medical advice (DAMA) among surgical patients is associated with increased 30-day readmission, complication, fragmented care, and higher healthcare cost. DAMA patients were younger, socioeconomically vulnerable, and often had substance use or psychiatric disorders.     Disclosure Information: Drs Varghese and Pawlik have nothing to disclose.    To earn 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for this episode of the JACS Operative Word Podcast, click here to register for the course and complete the evaluation. Listeners can earn CME credit for this podcast for up to 2 years after the original air date.   Learn more about the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, a monthly peer-reviewed journal publishing original contributions on all aspects of surgery, including scientific articles, collective reviews, experimental investigations, and more.    #JACSOperativeWord 

The effects of the neurotoxin are taking their toll on Cooper as Shannon desperately tries to navigate the severity of their new reality.LEAD how this story ends is up to us is a true story written and produced by Shannon Burkett. Co-produced by Jenny Maguire. Directed by Alan Taylor. Starring Merritt Wever, Alessandro Nivola, Cynthia Nixon, and Cooper Burkett.E43 features Jenny Maguire, JD Mollison, Laith Nakli, Deirdre O'Connell, Carolyn Baeumler, Zach Shaffer, and Monique Woodley. Casting by Alaine Alldaffer and Lisa Donadio. Music by Peter Salett. Sound Design by Andy Kris. Recording Engineer Krissopher Chevannes.For corresponding visuals and more information on how to protect children from lead exposure please go to https://endleadpoisoning.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Okay, to review from Part 1 of this conversation, and if you didn't listen to it because you think you know how this whole skyrocketing healthcare costs thing works, let me tell you, I myself had a few revelations. So, go back and listen. For a full transcript of this episode, click here. If you enjoy this podcast, be sure to subscribe to the free weekly newsletter to be a member of the Relentless Tribe. But to be fair, if you didn't already, sure, fine. Listen to Part 2 here first and then do it backwards. It probably won't make that much difference, except you'll need to contend with me totally ruining the Part 1 suspense because here's the negative flywheel, starting with the axle. Employers and other plan sponsors have been convinced to buy discounts, including discounts or discounts by their other aliases: rebates and probably shared savings, too, I would throw in this category. This is the grease that keeps the flywheel spinning. What's the “why” there? It's a genius idea if you think about it. And if you're not fully understanding what I'm about to say, go back, for sure, and listen to Part 1 of this episode because this is a very fundamental concept that has come up over and over and over again on this podcast. Cora Opsahl (EP452) talked about it. Claire Brockbank (EP453); Eric Bricker, MD (EP472); Chris Crawford (EP465) for just four shows off the top of my head in the past, you know, eight months or so. Here's the concept: If you buy discounts, your costs will go up. Am I saying this theoretically? No, I'm not. Look at the last 20 years. Have costs gone up way higher than inflation? Yes, they have. What are we doing? We're buying discounts. So, it's hard to argue. Renewals every single year will just keep going up the longer that we buy discounts. We talk about this, Jonathan Baran and I, in Part 1, how carriers have created a really very self-serving buying framework where employers are trained to buy discounts. Discounts are the axle, and the buying of discounts becomes the top of our flywheel. And then some so inclined hospital system executives, there are certainly executives standing 10,000 feet from any bedside, so they really have zero idea how care or patients or even clinicians are impacted. But if plan sponsors buy discounts, those at health systems who are so inclined now have no real incentive to rein in prices or focus on appropriate care even. And if you are so inclined, if you're very margin focused as a healthcare executive, you know, first things first, go gut primary care. That is step one in every playbook, and we definitely talk about that in Part 1 of this episode. And also, again, in about 10 episodes from earlier this year. Another thing that you're gonna wanna do if your prime imperative is margin at a healthcare system is maximize the revenue off of every transaction. So, hey … hello, EHR systems. So now you have health system prices creeping up and up, unfettered, you know, just exacerbated by consolidation and a bunch of other different things. But you've got healthcare prices creeping up, you have volume the same or higher because we're not preventing chronic disease like you would with advanced primary care, for example. And now we're back at the “Oh wow, let me sell you another discount. And renewal is only 9% or whatever.” Thus, the flywheel spins. Alright, so let's turn this wheel around, shall we? Flip it 180. What's the fix? This is what Jonathan Baran talks about in the episode that follows, but he says, Hey, how about this? Instead of putting “get bigger discounts” in the middle of the flywheel, why don't we put “buy better member health”? That's a good start. Buy a health plan that delivers better member health at an affordable price. Buy the care, not buy a discount off of a price we can't see for net price we can't see. Is it insurance? I don't know. Right? Like, just buy the healthcare. Cutting to the chase, Jonathan Baran advocates for a paradigm shift where employers invest in primary care, adopt better benefit designs, more aligned to cost and quality so that members are incented toward better cost and quality, employee navigation services to guide employees to make more informed healthcare decisions. So again, by changing the focus from buying discounts to buying actual healthcare, Jonathan says, we can reverse the negative cycle and improve overall health outcomes. As I've said multiple times already, my guest today is Jonathan Baran. He has been, for a long time, a healthcare entrepreneur. Today he is co-founder and CEO of Self Fund Health in Wisconsin, committed to challenging the expensive healthcare system in Wisconsin. Self Fund Health, I am always so pleased to tell you, did make a really, really kind offer to help out RHV (Relentless Health Value) financially. You and the tribe here are really great folks who I truly, truly appreciate. So, please do support Self Fund Health if you are in Wisconsin. This podcast is sponsored by Self Fund Health today. Also mentioned in this episode are Self Fund Health; Cora Opsahl; Claire Brockbank; Eric Bricker, MD; Chris Crawford; Cynthia Fisher; Scott Haas; Peter Hayes; Matt McQuide; RxSaveCard; Mark Cuban; Ramy Khalil, MD; Candace Shaffer; and Tom Nash.   You can learn more at Self Fund Health and follow Jonathan on LinkedIn.   Jonathan Baran is a serial healthcare IT entrepreneur and the co-founder and CEO of Self Fund Health, a fast-growing health plan redefining how employers buy and manage healthcare. With a mission to eliminate waste and realign incentives in the healthcare system, Self Fund Health empowers employers to take control of rising costs by giving employees access to high-value providers at no cost, while replacing traditional insurance with real-time technology, dedicated nurses, and an aligned ecosystem of care. Prior to founding Self Fund Health, Jonathan was the co-founder and CEO of Healthfinch, one of the pioneering companies to build apps on top of electronic medical records. Healthfinch automated routine workflows for physicians using clinical data, significantly improving efficiency and patient care. Under Jonathan's leadership, Healthfinch raised over $15 million in venture capital and scaled to more than 50 employees. The company received national recognition, including being named a “Cool Vendor” by Gartner, a “Top Emerging Vendor” by KLAS, and one of Modern Healthcare's “Best Places to Work.” In 2020, Healthfinch was acquired by HealthCatalyst. Jonathan holds both a bachelor's and master's degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He lives in Madison, Wisconsin, and continues to push the boundaries of innovation in employer-sponsored healthcare.   05:23 Where to start in reversing the flywheel. 06:57 Why investing in primary care is pivotal to containing healthcare costs. 10:02 EP453 with Claire Brockbank. 10:04 EP452 with Cora Opsahl. 10:07 EP457 with Cynthia Fisher. 10:12 EP365 with Scott Haas. 10:13 EP465 with Chris Crawford. 10:14 EP475 with Peter Hayes. 11:11 EP468 with Matt McQuide. 11:13 EP472 with Eric Bricker, MD. 12:14 “The most expensive thing in healthcare is the pen of the primary care doctor.” 13:04 How the role of the broker has to fundamentally change. 16:16 What will the single most challenging aspect of this restructuring become? 20:20 How self-funded employers can be amazing customers in containing the rising cost flywheel in healthcare. 22:56 How do EHRs and other medical record systems play into reversing the flywheel of rising healthcare costs? 23:57 Ramy Khalil, MD's post on interoperability. 24:59 Why is it important for employers to drive volume differently? 25:38 How Self Fund Health is helping in this regard.   You can learn more at Self Fund Health and follow Jonathan on LinkedIn.   @JonathanBaran discusses how to contain increasing #healthcarecosts on our #healthcarepodcast. #healthcare #podcast #financialhealth #patientoutcomes #primarycare #digitalhealth #healthcareleadership #healthcaretransformation #healthcareinnovation Recent past interviews: Click a guest's name for their latest RHV episode! Jonathan Baran (Part 1), Jonathan Baran (Bonus Episode), Dr Stan Schwartz (Summer Shorts), Preston Alexander, Dr Tom X Lee (Take Two: EP445), Dr Tom X Lee (Bonus Episode), Dr Benjamin Schwartz, Dr John Lee (Take Two: EP438), Kimberly Carleson, Ann Lewandowski (Summer Shorts), Andreas Mang and Jon Camire (EP479), Justin Leader (Take Two: EP433)  

As the lead wreaks havoc on Cooper's development, Shannon searches for answers. Desperate to get a handle on what was happening to her son, she grabs onto a lifeboat - nursing school. Andy tries to piece together the past to make sense of the present.LEAD how this story ends is up to us is a true story written and produced by Shannon Burkett. Co-produced by Jenny Maguire. Directed by Alan Taylor. Starring Merritt Wever, Alessandro Nivola, Cynthia Nixon, and Cooper BurkettEP2 features Keith Nobbs and Frank Wood. Music by Peter Salett. Sound Design by Andy Kris. Recording Engineer Krissopher Chevannes. Casting by Alaine Alldaffer and Lisa Donadio.For corresponding visuals and more information on how to protect children from lead exposure please go to https://endleadpoisoning.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode Stacey Richter speaks with Jonathan Baran, CEO of Self Fund Health in a detailed exploration of what they term the 'Flywheel Downward Spiral' of American healthcare costs. The conversation delves into how electronic health records (EHR) and the incentives driving insurers, brokers, and hospital systems contribute to consistently rising healthcare premiums.  Key points include how insurers profit from high premiums, the misleading marketing focus on discounts rather than actual costs, and the role of EHR systems in maximizing hospital profits rather than improving patient care. The episode sets the stage for a subsequent discussion on reversing these trends, aiming to align healthcare outcomes with cost reductions. Self Fund Health, I am so pleased to tell you, as I am always so pleased to tell you, did make such a kind offer to help out Relentless Health Value financially. You and the tribe here are really, really great folks who I truly appreciate. Please support Self Fund Health if you are in Wisconsin. This episode is sponsored by Self Fund Health. === LINKS ===

A mysterious dust fills a young family's apartment. The truth begins to unravel when the mother gets a call from the pediatrician - the monster deep within the walls has been unleashed. LEAD how this story ends is up to us is a true story written and produced by Shannon Burkett. Co-produced by Jenny Maguire. Directed by Alan Taylor. Starring Merritt Wever, Alessandro Nivola, Cynthia Nixon, and Cooper Burkett. EP1 features Zak Orth, Jenny Maguire, Daphne Gaines, and Micheal Gaston. Music by Peter Salett. Sound Design by Andy Kris. Recording Engineer Krissopher Chevannes. Casting by Alaine Alldaffer and Lisa Donadio.For corresponding visuals and more information on how to protect children from lead exposure please go to https://endleadpoisoning.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Medicaid, the government health insurance program for individuals with limited income and assets, often becomes a crucial consideration for families aiming to protect their savings and preserve inheritances when anticipating significant healthcare costs. The program has always been complex and now it's getting trickier in the face of steep budget cuts by the Trump administration.  This week, we explore strategies families use to qualify for coverage, including the controversial tactic known as "Medicaid divorce." Join us to understand this emergency lifeline and its implications for your family's financial future.