Podcasts about Independence Blue Cross

Focusing on whole-person health and addressing social determinants is critical for achieving equitable and accessible healthcare for all.  In this episode, Adam Mariano, President and GM of Healthcare at LexisNexis Risk Solutions, and Sushma Akunuru, Senior Vice President and CIO at Independence Blue Cross, discuss how their organizations are driving change in healthcare. Adam emphasizes the role of data ecosystems and identity management in improving care access and efficiency, while Sushma highlights Independence Blue Cross's commitment to whole-person health and digital transformation. They explore the impact of technology on health disparities, stressing the need for partnerships and a balanced approach to digitalization. Adam warns of privacy risks from uncontrolled digitalization, and Sushma underscores the importance of modernization for better service and accessibility. Tune in and learn why these leaders believe that focusing on social determinants of health and addressing health literacy is key to improving healthcare outcomes! Resources: Connect with and follow Adam Mariano on LinkedIn. Learn more about LexisNexis Risk Solutions on their LinkedIn, Instagram, and website. Follow and connect with Sushma Akunuru on LinkedIn. Discover more about Independence Blue Cross on their LinkedIn, Instagram, and website. Learn more about this video's sponsor, UST Health, on their website.

Cassandra Matthews, creator behind Cass and the City and Kellen Matthews, founder of Philadelphia's Recovery Run Club join our Host Heather Major for the season 4 opener of Someone You Know.  In this episode, we discuss:         The turning point that inspired Kellen's Recovery.         The pivotal role connection has played in that journey, especially with family         The doctor that introduced Kellen to running and how it's led him to multiple 100 plus mile runs, as well as participating in at least one marathon a month in 2024.      A peek into how Cass is feeling about her own first race at this year's Independence Blue Cross, Broad Street Run, and the impact of social media to connect with and grow a community like this.  Today, the Recovery Run Club meets monthly and is for anyone on the recovery journey, as well as a place where loved ones and allies can show up and participate, too.  Hosted by Heather Major, Executive Director, Independence Blue Cross Foundation. Recovery is possible, and help is available. Please visit our website to learn how we are collaborating to address this crisis: www.ibxfoundation.org.  TM 2025 Someone You Know®. All Rights Reserved.  Disclaimers The information contained in this podcast is solely for informational purposes and should not replace advice from a medical provider when making healthcare decisions. This podcast contains opinionated content and may not reflect the opinions of any organizations this podcast is affiliated with. Nothing discussed in this podcast shall constitute or should be construed as endorsement by the Independence Blue Cross Foundation or Independence Blue Cross, LLC of any product or service discussed herein. We will discuss opioid use and opioid treatment, which may be triggering for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is suffering from opioid addiction, please visit ibxfoundation.org/SYK.  Connect with the Independence Blue Cross Foundation! Learn how we're improving the health of the community: https://www.ibxfoundation.org/   Our blog and newsroom: https://infocus.ibxfoundation.org/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/independence-blue-cross-foundation/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibxfdn/ Someone You Know Podcast: https://someoneyouknow.libsyn.com/

The federal deadline to get a REAL ID is now about two weeks away, but only 27% of Pennsylvanians have one. The parent company of Philadelphia’s Independence Blue Cross posted a NET LOSS for the first time in nearly a decade last year. That means the nonprofit spent more on healthcare costs than it collected in insurance premiums. The trade war between the U.S. and China is knocking on the door of the fast-fashion industry. Proponents of sustainable clothing hope tariffs will persuade people to buy second hand. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About Adam Mariano:Adam Mariano is the GM and President of LexisNexis Healthcare. Adam is a technologist, nurse, and attorney, deeply invested in helping healthcare companies build better, more equitable, and unbiased products and services through intentional product development, open interoperability, and reduced health disparities. He brings extensive clinical, technical, and legal experience spanning 20+ years. Adam's legal work is focused on equal access, civil rights, and immigration.About Sushma Akunuru:Sushma Akunuru is a strategic technology leader with expertise in healthcare insurance, wealth management, and banking. As CIO at Independence Blue Cross, she drives digital transformation, modernizing business applications and optimizing IT operations. Previously, she held senior leadership roles at Bank of America and Merrill Lynch, leading wealth management technology and automation strategies. With an MBA from Wharton and a background in computer sciences, she excels in IT strategy, product development, and operational excellence, shaping the future of healthcare and financial services through innovation and digital solutions.Things You'll Learn:80% of clinical outcomes are influenced by factors outside of traditional medical care, like social determinants of health; therefore, a focus on whole-person care and community support is essential for equitable health.No single entity can solve the complex challenges of healthcare disparities. Collaborations between payers, providers, and technology vendors are essential for creating a connected and equitable healthcare ecosystem.Digitalization presents both opportunities and risks. While technology can improve access and convenience, the rapid push toward digitalization can exacerbate health disparities if not implemented thoughtfully, especially for vulnerable populations with limited access to technology or health literacy.Solving large, systemic problems can be easy; healthcare organizations should prioritize achievable improvements to create positive experiences for members.Telehealth is here to stay. The pandemic accelerated its adoption, which now requires careful consideration to ensure that the service remains available to modern consumers. As things return to normal, virtual healthcare or therapy must remain an option.Resources:Connect with and follow Adam Mariano on LinkedIn.Learn more about LexisNexis Risk Solutions on their LinkedIn, Instagram, and website.Follow and connect with Sushma Akunuru on LinkedIn.Discover more about Independence Blue Cross on their LinkedIn, Instagram, and website.Learn more about this episode's sponsor, UST Health, on their website.

April 9, 2025: Kate Gamble and Sarah Richardson discuss a class action lawsuit filed against Penn Medicine regarding its exclusive contract with Independence Blue Cross. The hosts explore how this exclusivity affects patient choice, healthcare access, and market competition in the Philadelphia region. The conversation highlights the growing national scrutiny of healthcare consolidation and encourages IT leaders to evaluate whether their partnerships and systems enhance or restrict patient choice.X: This Week Health LinkedIn: This Week Health Donate: Alex's Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Independence Blue Cross in Pennsylvania started limiting coverage for weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Diesel fuel from an overturned fuel truck on a road near Pittsburgh is causing oil slicks in the Allegheny River downstream of the spill. The Delaware River has been voted 2025 Pennsylvania River of the Year. Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA tells us about a debate over how some counties are using money from settlements with drug companies meant to address the opioid overdose crisis.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Clocking Out, Raymond welcomes Ginny Palmieri, a powerhouse leader who has mastered the intersection of HR, business strategy, and entrepreneurship. With a distinguished career spanning executive roles at Independence Blue Cross, Commerce Bancorp, and Bank of America, Ginny has built a reputation for driving transformation and inspiring growth. Now, as the CEO and Co-Founder of MyNextory, she's on a mission to revolutionize career development through innovative, scalable solutions.Ginny shares her insights on navigating change, embracing opportunity, and building a career aligned with personal values. Recognized as one of Main Line Today's 2024 Power Women and Philadelphia Business Journal's Women of Distinction, she is also the author of Unspoken: Finding Your Voice and Living Your Authentic Life, a book that champions authenticity and courage in professional and personal growth.Tune in as Ginny reflects on her evolution from CHRO to CEO, the leadership lessons she's learned along the way, and how she's helping others take control of their careers—one step at a time.Connect with Ginny Palmieri atLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginnypalmieriEmail: ginny@mynextory.comWebsite: www.mynextory.comFollow Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raymondmlee/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raymondlee.coTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@clockingoutpodX: http://twitter.com/hrentrepreneurYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@clockingoutwithraymondlee/videosBecome a guest on Clocking Out: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeSTQmww_Gvld1zfLzTmS16PDfZvltFna7Gh6iSYehL-maUvA/viewform

On Dec. 7, Dr. Marianne Ritchie and Erin Thurston from Independence Blue Cross discussed all things health insurance.

Medicare can be complex, with a range of plans and options that often raise questions for newcomers or those considering changes to their coverage. Karina Chavieri, Director of Medicare Sales at Independence Blue Cross, joins me to break down Medicare basics, explain the different parts, and provide insights on making informed healthcare decisions. Whether you're approaching Medicare age or helping a loved one navigate their options, Karina's expertise will help clarify the choices available. Learn more at ibxmedicare.com.I speak with  Megan, a survivor of domestic abuse who has shown immense courage in sharing her story. Megan's journey is a powerful example of the complexities many survivors face, often in silence. Recently, she attended iPledge, an event sponsored by Women Against Abuse that inspired her to become more involved in raising awareness and helping others. Her story is not just about the physical aspect of abuse but also the emotional, mental, and psychological trauma that often goes unnoticed. Megan's experiences shed light on the hidden forms of abuse, and she hopes to make a difference by sharing her journey with us today.  https://www.womenagainstabuse.org/If you or someone you know needs help, call the toll-free 24-hour Hotline: 1.866.723.3014  https://www.theladywholaughs.com/

We look at  into the ripple effects of Donald Trump's presidency with Keir Bradford-Grey, Head of the Civil Rights Division at Marrone Law Firm and a leading advocate for criminal justice reform. Keir offers a nuanced perspective on how Trump's policies and rhetoric will impact the justice system, influence marginalized communities, and reshape public conversations on crime and accountability. She discusses the legacy of his administration and its potential implications for the future.   Medicare can be complex, with a range of plans and options that often raise questions for newcomers or those considering changes to their coverage. Karina Chavieri, Director of Medicare Sales at Independence Blue Cross, joins me to break down Medicare basics, explain the different parts, and provide insights on making informed healthcare decisions. Whether you're approaching Medicare age or helping a loved one navigate their options, Karina's expertise will help clarify the choices available. Learn more at ibxmedicare.com.

Mark your calendars for the Pennsylvania Conference for Women in Philadelphia on November 7th! Get ready for empowering workshops, inspiring speakers, and networking opportunities with over 10,000 attendees. In partnership with the PA Conference for Women, we present Women Who Inspire. Today's spotlight is on Susan Larkin, Executive Vice President and President of Core Commercial Markets at Independence Health Group, parent company of Independence Blue Cross.Learn more about Independence:Website: ibx.comInstagram: @IndependenceBlueCrossFacebook: Independence Blue CrossLinkedIn: Independence Blue CrossFor more information about the conference:Website: PAConferenceforWomen.orgFacebook: Pennsylvania Conference for WomenInstagram: @pennwomenX (formerly Twitter): @PennWomen

In our special quarterly feature "Welcoming Works," host Anuj Gupta, CEO of the Welcoming Center, speaks with Pat Clancy, President and CEO of Philadelphia Works, to challenge the often negative narratives about immigrants. They explore the crucial role immigrants play in shaping Philadelphia's economic future.Learn more at:Welcoming Center | Philadelphia WorksI'm also joined by Angela Giampolo of Giampolo Law Group for our monthly SpeakOUT feature, where we discuss key issues related to the LGBTQIA community. This week, we examine how the upcoming Presidential election could impact issues like marriage equality.Learn more at:Philly Gay Lawyer | Giampolo Law GroupMark your calendars for the Pennsylvania Conference for Women in Philadelphia on November 7th! Get ready for empowering workshops, inspiring speakers, and networking opportunities with over 10,000 attendees. In partnership with the PA Conference for Women, we present Women Who Inspire. Today's spotlight is on Susan Larkin, Executive Vice President and President of Core Commercial Markets at Independence Health Group, parent company of Independence Blue Cross.Learn more about Independence:Website: ibx.comInstagram: @IndependenceBlueCrossFacebook: Independence Blue CrossLinkedIn: Independence Blue CrossFor more information about the conference:Website: PAConferenceforWomen.orgFacebook: Pennsylvania Conference for WomenInstagram: @pennwomenX (formerly Twitter): @PennWomenLastly, I recently covered the Presidential Debate featuring Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Outside the National Constitution Center, protestors gathered, representing a diverse range of political perspectives. The standout moment of the day was meeting the Poets for Peace, a group advocating for unity through art and spoken word.Follow Poets for Peace on Instagram: @dreampoetforhire

Oronde McClain was nearly killed by gunfire at 10 and overcame incredible odds, not only surviving but thriving as a powerful advocate for survivors of gun violence. His journey has been chronicled in news stories and documentaries, and now, a feature film about his life is in the works. I speak with Zonsiluo Gompah, President and Producer of Esther Egg Inc.Instagram: estheregginc#iamoronde https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4429866/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk   The Please Touch Museum is a haven for learning through play. I'll share information The Ready-Set School program which provides free admission Community Days on the last Sundays of June, July, and August, in partnership with the Independence Blue Cross Foundation.  I speak with Patricia (Trish) D. Wellenbach, President and CEO, Please Touch Museum and Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake, President, Independence Blue Cross Foundation about this program and the recent continuation of their partnership, with Independence Blue Cross becoming the Official Health & Wellness Partner of the Museum.   The next two free community days will be July 28 and  August 25, 2024. www.PleaseTouchMuseum.org  First  I speak to Dr. Oluwadamilola "Lola" Fayanju, Chief of the Division of Breast Surgery at Penn Medicine.  Dr, Fayanju discusses the factors that have resulted in higher mortality rates for Black Women and the critical importance of early detection and knowing family history.  https://pennmedicine.org/BreastCancerCare

 The Please Touch Museum is a haven for learning through play. I'll share information The Ready-Set-School program which provides free admission Community Days on the last Sundays of June, July, and August, in partnership with the Independence Blue Cross Foundation.  I speak with Patricia (Trish) D. Wellenbach, President and CEO, Please Touch Museum and Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake, President, Independence Blue Cross Foundation about this program and the recent continuation of their partnership, with Independence Blue Cross becoming the Official Health & Wellness Partner of the Museum.   The next two free community days will be July 28 and  August 25, 2024. www.PleaseTouchMuseum.org  Oronde McClain was nearly killed by gunfire at 10 and overcame incredible odds, not only surviving but thriving as a powerful advocate for survivors of gun violence. His journey has been chronicled in news stories and documentaries, and now, a feature film about his life is in the works. I speak with Zonsiluo Gompah, President and Producer of Esther Egg Inc.Instagram: estheregginc#iamoronde https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4429866/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk   In these divisive times, it's important to remember that there are remarkable individuals inspiring others to work for positive change. Champions of Caring was founded in 1995 to help middle and high school students create social change.The organization is  currently producing a documentary, "The Coral Ring Legacy," to promote and inspire social activism for people of all ages and backgrounds. I speak with Founder and President Barbara Greenspan Shaiman about this exciting project.www.championsofcaring.orgHandles @championsofcaring On FB Champions of Caring 2First, there are few jobs more critical to the future of our children and our country than teachers. but it's been more challenging than ever for those in the profession. Teach for America is working to provide a pathway to teaching. Anna Shurak, Executive Director, Teach For America – Philadelphia talks about their program's efforts to train the next generation of teachers.Website and social media handles and tags teachforamerica.org/greater-philadelphia Instagram: @tfaphillyphamX: @tfaphillypham FB: https://www.facebook.com/TFAGreaterPhilly/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/teach-for-america-greater-philadelphia/

The very best nurses go above and beyond for their patients and so Its with great pleasure I interview three who are receiving recognition for their excellence through Independence Blue Cross' Celebrate Caring – their  annual campaign to recognize outstanding nurses in the Greater Philadelphia region.  I speak to Allison Denman, MS, BSN, RN, SANE-A – Philadelphia Sexual Assault Response Center, Jasmine Hudson, MSN, CRNP, AGACNP-BC – Penn Medicine, Francis Doran, BSN, RN – Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania/Penn Medicine as well as Koleen Cavanaugh, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Independence Blue Cross.Ibx.com/nurses (https://www.ibx.com/htdocs/custom/celebrate-caring/index.html)IG: @independencebluecrossLI: @Independence Blue CrossFB: @Independence Blue Cross#CelebrateCaringFirst,  I chat with two positive young men who want to make sure to give local basketball teams their due. Phillyhoopgroup is a nonprofit organization that covers high school basketball, founded by Philadelphians Michael Brooks and Taylor Bailey, in Winter 2019. I speak to the founders who tell us this started and how  Phillyhoopgroup has become the go to source for information for Philadelphia high school basketball, boys and girls. Follow @phillyhoopgroup on Instagram for more details!    

The very best nurses go above and beyond for their patients and so Its with great pleasure I interview three who are receiving recognition for their excellence through Independence Blue Cross' Celebrate Caring – their  annual campaign to recognize outstanding nurses in the Greater Philadelphia region.  I speak to Allison Denman, MS, BSN, RN, SANE-A – Philadelphia Sexual Assault Response Center, Jasmine Hudson, MSN, CRNP, AGACNP-BC – Penn Medicine, Francis Doran, BSN, RN – Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania/Penn Medicine as well as Koleen Cavanaugh, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Independence Blue Cross.Ibx.com/nurses (https://www.ibx.com/htdocs/custom/celebrate-caring/index.html)IG: @independencebluecrossLI: @Independence Blue CrossFB: @Independence Blue Cross#CelebrateCaringFirst,  I chat with two positive young men who want to make sure to give local basketball teams their due.     Phillyhoopgroup is a nonprofit organization that covers high school basketball, founded by Philadelphians Michael Brooks and Taylor Bailey, in Winter 2019. I speak to the founders who tell us this started and how  Phillyhoopgroup has become the go to source for information for Philadelphia high school basketball, boys and girls. Follow @phillyhoopgroup on Instagram for more details!    

The very best nurses go above and beyond for their patients and so Its with great pleasure I interview three who are receiving recognition for their excellence through Independence Blue Cross' Celebrate Caring – their  annual campaign to recognize outstanding nurses in the Greater Philadelphia region.  I speak to Allison Denman, MS, BSN, RN, SANE-A – Philadelphia Sexual Assault Response Center, Jasmine Hudson, MSN, CRNP, AGACNP-BC – Penn Medicine, Francis Doran, BSN, RN – Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania/Penn Medicine as well as Koleen Cavanaugh, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Independence Blue Cross.Ibx.com/nurses (https://www.ibx.com/htdocs/custom/celebrate-caring/index.html)IG: @independencebluecrossLI: @Independence Blue CrossFB: @Independence Blue Cross#CelebrateCaring

Brian Lobley brings over 20 years of experience leading healthcare businesses, operations, and strategy. Prior to joining tango, he served as the executive vice president, chief operating officer, and president of Health Markets at Independence Health Group, the parent company of Independence Blue Cross, LLC. He was responsible for leading Commercial, Consumer, and Medicare lines of business and the company's group pharmacy business and Operations, Business Technology Services, Informatics, and Innovation departments. He provided oversight for the company's subsidiaries: AmeriHealth New Jersey, and AmeriHealth Administrators.  He has also served on numerous boards across non-profit and for-profit sectors.  Brian earned his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering at Lehigh University.  https://tangocare.com/

Leaders from Independence Blue Cross, Oscar Health and TytoCare explore how health plans can leverage various solutions effectively to optimize pricing structures; exploring technology adoption, cost-effectiveness, and market competitiveness. Our panel of industry experts will share successful strategies and real-world examples you can implement in your organization.   Topics covered include: Matching benefits with member personas Evolving virtual care beyond video Various innovations in product design  Bringing price transparency to ACA and Medicare Advantage products How to penetrate new, highly competitive markets   Guests: Jonathan Stump, Vice President, Product Services, Independence Blue Cross Bill Bradley, Vice President, Insurance Product Development, Oscar Health Meni Shikhman, Vice President, TytoCare   Bios: https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/events/differentiating-your-product-in-the-healthcare-insurance-marketplace/   This episode is sponsored by TytoCare TytoCare is a virtual healthcare company that enables leading health plans and providers to deliver remote healthcare to the whole family through its Home Smart Clinic. Combining a cutting-edge, easy-to-use, FDA-cleared device with AI-powered guidance and diagnostic support, the Home Smart Clinic enables the whole family to conduct remote physical exams with a doctor, replicating in-clinic exams for immediate answers from home. TytoCare drives utilization rates that are five times higher than traditional telehealth services, reduces the total cost of care by an average of five percent, diverts ED visits by an average of 10.8%; and has a high average NPS of 83. The Home Smart Clinic includes Tyto Engagement Labs™, a proven framework of engagement journeys designed for successfully deploying and adopting the solution. To complete its offering, TytoCare also provides the Pro Smart Clinic, for professional settings outside the home to serve rural clinics, schools, workplaces, and more. TytoCare serves over 220 major health systems and plans in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. For more information, visit us at tytocare.com.

Brandon Harvath is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Christian Care Ministry, the nonprofit 501(c)(3) Association of Churches that manages Medi-Share. Prior to CCM, Brandon held leadership roles with Highmark, Cigna, Independence Blue Cross and MBNA/Bank of America. Most recently, Brandon served as President at Saint Francis Healthcare, a hospital system in Wilmington, DE. Brandon resides in Melbourne, Florida with his wife and 7 children, ages 18 to 3, and loves serving in his local church.  Join us for a conversation about Brandon's life of faith, family, and committing to God's plan. Find more about Brandon here!

Brian Lobley(CEO, tango) discusses how his company provides post-acute management services, enabling payer and provider strategies to ensure patients receive high-quality care at home.

  Leaders from Independence Blue Cross, Banner| Aetna, and Scene Health share exclusive insights on successfully accomplishing chronic condition management success with fewer resources.    Our expert panel explores patient-centered and technology-enabled approaches that elevate chronic care management efficiency and effectiveness. Don't miss the opportunity to learn about strategic solutions tailored to the unique challenges of Medicaid and Medicare health plans.   Panelists: Robert Groves, MD, Chief Medical Officer & Executive Vice President, Banner| Aetna Reetika Kumar, MD, FACP, Vice President, Market Clinical Solutions and Pharmacy Services, Independence Blue Cross Sebastian Seiguer, CEO & Co-Founder, Scene Health Bios: https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/events/meeting-goals-for-chronic-condition-management-with-fewer-resources/   This episode is sponsored by Scene Health Meet Scene Health, the industry leader in MedEngagement. They are going beyond traditional medication adherence to transform disease management.   Scene's MedEngagement approach uses 1:1 async video to deliver medication support at scale.   Scene helps members get better fast—getting to the doctor, getting their meds, taking them as prescribed, and getting labs and vitals—driving cost-effective utilization and improving multiple clinical and quality measures in as little as 90 days.   Scene was commercialized out of Johns Hopkins, and has developed the most extensive catalog of peer-reviewed publications among medication adherence companies. Visit its website at www.scene.health for more information.

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 2: During a White House press briefing on Wednesday, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan answered questions about Congressional renewal of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). When asked if a warrant should be necessary for all collected data, Sullivan explained, “we do not believe that that serves the national security interests of the U.S.” Mairead Elordi of The Daily Wire writes: “A trans-identifying firefighter is suing the city of Philadelphia for allegedly refusing insurance coverage for his facial feminization surgery. The firefighter, a 55-year-old man who has been with the Philadelphia fire department for 28 years, claims that the city, as well as his union, Firefighters & Paramedics Local 22, and Independence Blue Cross insurance all discriminated against him on the basis of his gender identity.” You can read the full article here: https://www.dailywire.com/news/trans-identifying-firefighter-suing-philadelphia-over-facial-feminization-surgery-coverage Former NCAA leader Rachel Dolezal, who was fired from the organization after it was revealed she received the position after pretending to be black, now has an OnlyFans account. Casey Mattox—Vice President of Legal & Judicial Strategy at Americans for Prosperity—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss his latest article for The New York Post, “Why Our Politicians Can't Stop Passing Absurd Laws.” Some of the nation's most bizarre laws include an Arizona law which makes it illegal for donkeys to sleep in bathtubs, a ban on silly-string in Alabama, and a Connecticut regulation on the bounciness of pickles. You can read the full article here: https://nypost.com/2024/02/03/opinion/politicians-cant-stop-passing-absurd-laws/ During the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl parade on Wednesday, an estimated ten to fifteen people were wounded in a shooting—at least one person has been killed. According to reports, two armed people have been detained by police.

The Rich Zeoli Show- Full Episode (02/14/2024): 3:05pm- On Tuesday, a special election was held in New York's 3rd District to fill former U.S. Representative George Santos' vacant Congressional seat. Democrat Tom Suozzi defeated Republican candidate Mazi Pilip 54% to 46%. Nate Cohn of The New York Times writes: “Millions were spent on campaign advertisements, with Democrats outspending Republicans by a wide margin. And unlike with most special elections, Democrats nominated a fairly well-known candidate. Mr. Suozzi, who retired ahead of the 2022 election, had a strong electoral track record, having beaten Mr. Santos here by more than 12 points in 2020… There was even a big snowstorm on Tuesday that may have dampened Republican Election Day turnout (Democrats voted more by mail).” Could this special election be indicative of what will happen during the 2024 presidential election? Cohn continues: “Last week, a Siena College poll…found Mr. Biden running a full nine percentage points behind Mr. Suozzi and trailing Donald J. Trump in the district.” Last year, Santos became the sixth congressman in U.S. history to be expelled from the House of Representatives. The House voted 311 to 114 in favor of removing him following numerous allegations of lying about his background and a 23-count indictment that includes allegations he “repeatedly, without authorization” charged donor credit cards—depositing funds into his own bank account. Though, he has not yet been found guilty of any crimes. The Republican majority in the House will shrink—219 to 213 with 3 vacancies. You can read Cohn's article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/14/upshot/special-election-democrats-new-york.html 3:20pm- Tracey Tully and Benjamin Weiser of The New York Times write: “A luxury Mercedes-Benz, gold bars, exercise equipment and stacks of cash featured prominently in a federal indictment that charged Senator Robert Menendez with accepting a sordid array of bribes. Now, prosecutors say a diamond engagement ring for the senator's future wife, Nadine Menendez, was also part of the elaborate bribery scheme — and a source of infighting between co-defendants who are expected to stand trial together in May. Wael Hana, a longtime friend of Ms. Menendez's who is also charged in the alleged conspiracy, attempted to cheat her out of the full value of the ring, according to court documents filed late Monday by prosecutors in Manhattan.” You can read the full article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/13/nyregion/menendez-bribes-ring.html 3:35pm- Karoun Demirjian of The New York Times writes: “The Senate passed a long-awaited foreign aid package for Ukraine and Israel early Tuesday morning, delivering a bipartisan endorsement of the legislation after months of negotiations, dire battlefield warnings and political mudslinging. But the measure faced a buzz saw of opposition in the House, where Republican resistance threatened to kill it. The 70-to-29 vote reflected a critical mass of support in Congress for the $95 billion emergency aid legislation and for continuing to arm Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. The measure would provide an additional $60.1 billion for Kyiv—which would bring the total U.S. investment in the war effort to more than $170 billion—as well as $14.1 billion for Israel's war against Hamas and almost $10 billion for humanitarian aid for civilians in conflict zones, including Palestinians in Gaza.” But will Speaker of the House Mike Johnson hold a vote on the bill in the Republican-controlled House? Demirkian explains: “Mr. Johnson controls the floor and right-wing lawmakers have shown a willingness to block legislation they oppose from even coming up for a vote. Still, if proponents can muster enough support from Democrats and mainstream and national security-minded Republicans willing to buck [Donald] Trump and the far right, they could steer around the opposition through a maneuver known as a discharge petition. That allows lawmakers to force legislation to the floor if they can gather the signatures of a majority of the House—218 members—calling for the action.” You can read the full article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/12/us/politics/senate-ukraine-aid.html 3:40pm- Lee Habeeb— Newsweek Columnist & Vice President of Content at Salem Media Group—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss his latest article, “The Forgotten Man: A 1883 Speech Might Explain the Rise of Trump.” You can read the full article here: https://www.newsweek.com/forgotten-man-1883-speech-might-explain-rise-trump-1867929 4:05pm- During a White House press briefing on Wednesday, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan answered questions about Congressional renewal of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). When asked if a warrant should be necessary for all collected data, Sullivan explained, “we do not believe that that serves the national security interests of the U.S.” 4:10pm- Mairead Elordi of The Daily Wire writes: “A trans-identifying firefighter is suing the city of Philadelphia for allegedly refusing insurance coverage for his facial feminization surgery. The firefighter, a 55-year-old man who has been with the Philadelphia fire department for 28 years, claims that the city, as well as his union, Firefighters & Paramedics Local 22, and Independence Blue Cross insurance all discriminated against him on the basis of his gender identity.” You can read the full article here: https://www.dailywire.com/news/trans-identifying-firefighter-suing-philadelphia-over-facial-feminization-surgery-coverage 4:20pm- Former NCAA leader Rachel Dolezal, who was fired from the organization after it was revealed she received the position after pretending to be black, now has an OnlyFans account. 4:30pm- Casey Mattox—Vice President of Legal & Judicial Strategy at Americans for Prosperity—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss his latest article for The New York Post, “Why Our Politicians Can't Stop Passing Absurd Laws.” Some of the nation's most bizarre laws include an Arizona law which makes it illegal for donkeys to sleep in bathtubs, a ban on silly-string in Alabama, and a Connecticut regulation on the bounciness of pickles. You can read the full article here: https://nypost.com/2024/02/03/opinion/politicians-cant-stop-passing-absurd-laws/ 4:50pm- During the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl parade on Wednesday, an estimated ten to fifteen people were wounded in a shooting—at least one person has been killed. According to reports, two armed people have been detained by police. 5:05pm- According to a new report from Michael Shellenberger, Matt Taibbi, and Alex Gutentag, “the United States Intelligence Community (IC), including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), illegally mobilized foreign intelligence agencies to target [then-Republican presidential candidate Donald] Trump advisors long before the summer of 2016.” You can read more here: https://public.substack.com/p/cia-had-foreign-allies-spy-on-trump 5:20pm- On Tuesday, Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, David Sacks, and Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), J.D. Vance (R-OH), and Ron Johnson (R-WI) participated in a Twitter Spaces conversation on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the Senate-passed foreign aid bill that would provide Ukraine with an additional $60.1 billion in financial assistance. During the conversation, Musk argued: "This spending does not help Ukraine. Prolonging the war and sacrificing the…youth, having these boys die for nothing is wrong and needs to stop." Senator Johnson echoed a similar sentiment noting, “we all have to understand that Vladimir Putin will not lose this war” as losing would result in him being removed as Russian President. 5:40pm- While appearing on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher, sports commentator Bob Costas addressed the growing trend of biological males competing against female athletes—explaining, “we can't throw common sense out the window.”

This is a segment on improving men's health that I'm featured on for the "Better Off Podcast" by For29 Philly. It is hosted by Drew Anderson and sponsored by Independence Blue Cross. Please listen to their podcast, they are doing great work providing practical tools to help improve your health. I'm joined with Dr. Rodrigo Cerdá, Senior Vice President of Health Services and Chief Medical Officer at Independence Blue Cross.This is a great, down-to-earth discussion about all things involving men's health, from men's mental health, what men should do as far as exercising as they age, my men's yoga class in Philly, building community, the misconceptions around men's health and the little quirks that make men different while approaching their health. I am thrilled with how this conversation went. 

Chris Molaro is the CEO of NeuroFlow, a digital behavioral health platform that delivers mental health support while tracking and assessing progress through the app. Chris is a graduate of West Point and the University of Pennsylvania, and served in the army for five years, including a tour in Iraq as a platoon leader. In this episode, we discuss: The importance of behavioral health tools for front-line workers, both military and healthcare The ways technology and data can help with access to care How ‘access to care' is not binary, and recovery is not linear Removing the barriers to the access of information The importance of all behavioral health resources creating a united front and working together. Why they call NeuroFlow “The Netflix for Mental Health.” Today, NeuroFlow is helping 15 million Americans across the country, providing the tools to those who need it, where they are at, in pursuit to create the most engaging digital mental health experience.   Hosted by Heather Major, Executive Director, Independence Blue Cross Foundation. Recovery is possible, and help is available. Please visit our website to learn how we are collaborating to address this crisis: www.ibxfoundation.org. TM 2023 Someone You Know®. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimers This podcast contains opinionated content and may not reflect the opinions of any organizations this podcast is affiliated with. Nothing discussed in this podcast shall constitute or should be construed as an endorsement by the Independence Blue Cross Foundation or Independence Blue Cross, LLC of any product or service discussed herein. This podcast discusses opioid use, opioid treatment, and physical and psychological trauma, which may be triggering for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. This podcast is solely for informational purposes. Listeners are advised to do their own diligence when it comes to making decisions that may affect their health. Patients in need of medical advice should consult their personal health care provider. The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. It is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Drs. John Sweetenham and Lawrence Shulman discuss the challenges that oncologists will be confronting in 2024 and share insights on how to build clinician resilience and optimize the oncology workforce to provide better, safer care for patients with cancer. TRANSCRIPT Dr. John Sweetenham: Hello, I'm Dr. John Sweetenham from the UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center and host of the ASCO Daily News Podcast. I'm thrilled to welcome my friend and colleague, Dr. Larry Shulman, to the podcast today. Dr. Shulman is a professor of medicine, associate director of special projects, and the director of the Center for Global Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center. Dr. Shulman is also the immediate past chair of the Commission on Cancer, and also serves on the National Cancer Policy Forum of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. His acclaimed research has led to the development of models of clinical care to improve the patient experience and quality of care in the United States and internationally. His activities have also included innovations in health information technology, cancer survivorship care, and some other related areas. Today, Dr. Shulman will be sharing his valuable insights on some of the growing complexities and challenges that we'll be grappling with in oncology in 2024 and beyond, and potential solutions to address these issues. You'll find our four disclosures in the transcript of this episode, and disclosures of all guests on the podcasts are available at asco.org/DNpod. Larry, it's great to have you on the podcast today. Dr. Lawrence Shulman: Thank you so much, John. Dr. John Sweetenham: To start with Larry, as you know, the growth in the number of patients with cancer and cancer survivors in the U.S. is greatly outpacing the number of clinicians available to care for them. The American Association for Cancer Research, for example, estimates that there will be nearly 2 million new cancer cases in the U.S. alone this year and that the number will increase significantly in the years to come. The number of cancer survivors in total in the U.S. is predicted to grow to around 20.3 million by 2026. So, the question our community has been grappling with for some time now is: “How do we confront these realities and provide optimal care for patients, while at the same time building the resilience of the clinicians who need to care for them?” This is an area I know that you've focused on for a long time and you've published several papers in recent years as well as the great work that you've done as co-chair of the National Cancer Policy Forum workshop on the oncology workforce. Can you share your insights into some of these challenges? Dr. Lawrence Shulman: Sure, John. Thank you very much. As you mentioned, the number of oncologists in this country is pretty stable. There's consistent but relatively low number entering the workforce and those of us who were really in the first wave of oncologists in the 1970s are beginning to retire. A number of years ago we thought, well, we need to figure out ways to recruit more medical students and trainees into the field of oncology, but that's clearly not going to happen. And as you also mentioned, the number of cancer patients is rapidly increasing in this country, partly because of the aging population and partly because frankly we're better at treating them. The cure rates are better, and the number of survivors is going up. So, the math is pretty straightforward. We have a relatively stable number of oncology providers trying to care for a rapidly increasing number of patients and that's just not going to change. So, we need to have plan B; we need to figure out how we can better meet the needs in this country. And I think all of us who practice are feeling the strain of trying to take care of these increasing number of patients. I think there are a few things that are contributing to this as well. One—the good news is we have lots of new therapies, we have lots of genomics, which are leading us to better tailor therapies for our patients. But this is all complicated and it's a lot for us all to learn and keep abreast of and to manage on a day-to-day basis in the middle of a busy clinic. But the other thing is that I believe our care has become progressively more inefficient, making it harder every day that we go to clinic to care for the number of patients we need to. And that really has to change. For those of us who've been doing this for a long time, and I know you have as well, this has been a trend really over decades. It's gone in the wrong direction. It was a lot easier to practice a number of decades ago. Now, the requirements for documentation and pre-authorization and many other administrative tasks has just grown progressively over these years. And we need to figure out how to change that. And in addition, our electronic health records, which is where we live in clinic, have been remarkable and wonderful in many ways, but are also inefficient to use and we need to do a better job in optimizing their functionality. Dr. John Sweetenham: Great, thanks Larry. I do agree with you there and I think that in addition to the challenges of running the electronic health record and using that at the point of care, of course the other thing that many of our clinicians face now is an increasingly complex treatment landscape and a greater need for clinical decision support tools, which of course are not always at the moment quite as facile as we would like them to be. And I think partly because of that, many oncologists are feeling overburdened partly with these various administrative tasks they have, partly with frankly keeping up with their own specialty areas or if they're community-based general oncologists, just keeping up in general with the new information that's coming at them. And then add on top of all of that the emotional toll of caring for patients with cancer. And not surprisingly, perhaps I think we have started to see, certainly we have experienced an exodus of some oncologists in recent years who've decided to pursue careers outside of direct patient care and oncology. And those included some moving into other areas of academia, some going into industry, some going into various tech companies and so on. Are you concerned that we all struggle in the effort of building and support a resilient oncology workforce to meet the needs of this growing population that you mentioned? Dr. Lawrence Shulman: Yeah, I'm very concerned about that, John. And I think one way to think about this is that as you say, the practice of oncology inherently is a stressful and difficult, though quite rewarding way to spend your professional career. But we layer on top of that a lot of frustration and difficulties that really don't need to exist. And when I think about this, I think about really two buckets. There's a bucket of factors that are within our control in an individual institution or an individual practice, and I'll come back to that in a minute. The other bucket are external forces, things that are required by the government regulators, by the payers that need to be done in routine practice. We have less direct influence over those, though I think it's a profession, we need to think hard about how to influence the external factors as well. At the practice level, there are a lot of things that we can do. One has to do with optimizing our electronic health record, which does have, in most cases, the ability to have it customized by institution in a way that would make it optimal. And some of that again, is external because we're dealing with a vendor product that has some limited ability to be customized, but we need to do a better job of the technology that underlies our practice every day when we go to clinic. The other major factor in support, whether it's advanced practice providers, nurses, medical assistants, navigators, and other personnel who can in fact help to support the patients, help to support their families, and help to support the clinicians who are on the front line trying to care for these patients. And we all use the term, practicing at the top of your license and aspire to that. But I think frankly we don't do a great job in that regard, and we need to really think harder about how we do have the appropriate team around us. In addition, I would say that there are a lot of other things at the practice level that we need to think about, including the facility of ordering radiologic studies and consultations and so on, all of which are often more cumbersome than they should be. We really need to not put these obstacles in the way of our clinicians. Externally, I think we need to get the payers and to get the government CMS to understand that the current state, it's just not going to be viable going forward and they need to make some big changes. And I think one of the ways to think about this is that rather than doing something differently, you want to do a different thing. I mean, they really need to make some paradigm changes and what's required day in and day out from our clinicians. Dr. John Sweetenham: Absolutely. So, I want to pick up on something that you mentioned there, which is the role of navigators and the benefits that navigation, patient navigation, can have in several domains, but certainly it can help to reduce the burden on oncologists and strain in the system in general. But to take that a little bit further, I wonder if we could talk a little bit about how navigation can help in reducing care disparities. You were saying before we came on the podcast today, the concept of using patient navigators to reduce disparities in care is not new. It's been around for many, many years, but it seems like we almost have to keep relearning that they really help in terms of reducing various disparities which may be rural disparities, racial and ethnic and so on. There are plenty of data out there, as you've mentioned, just to quote a couple of studies, there was the ACCURE trial published a couple of years ago now, which was really a multi-pronged intervention to help Black patients overcome obstacles to completion of treatment. And it included navigation along with a number of other interventions, electronic health record flags to alert caregivers to missed appointments, providers to missed appointments, I should say. It also included physician champions to help engage the health care teams and some educational interventions as well with a significant impact on the access to care from Black patients. The Levine Cancer Institute in the Carolinas conducted a study in my own world, in aggressive large B-cell lymphoma a number of years ago, where they showed that they were able to navigate all of their patients into guideline-concordant care, which essentially eliminated the disparity in outcome between Black and White patients in their population. And then more recently, a study from the University of Maryland looked at Black men with prostate cancer and demonstrated that with the intervention from a navigator, the number of those patients who had their appropriate genetic testing was increased enormously to levels which were comparable with the White patients in their community. No clear evidence yet that that's impacted outcome, although intuitively, I think it would, but nevertheless, as you've already pointed out, there is a ton of evidence that navigation can help us to eliminate disparities. Could you talk a little bit about your own insights into that area and the work that you've done? Dr. Lawrence Shulman: Sure. A few years ago, the National Cancer Policy Forum held a workshop on navigation in cancer and we spent a couple of days in Washington going over many of the studies you've mentioned. And one of our speakers was Harold Freeman, who was a surgeon in Harlem. About 60 years ago, he showed that patient navigation could reduce disparities in cancer care in his setting. And I think the surprising and somewhat disappointing aspect of this is, well, we have a new therapy, whether it's immunotherapy or whatever that is shown to improve overall survival and outcomes. We adopt that, and we start using it. And yet here something that's relatively straightforward, patient navigation, which has been shown as you say, to improve access to care, to improve guideline-concordant diagnostics, guideline-concordant treatment, patient satisfaction, and ultimately improve outcomes and reduce disparities, but has not been embraced in the same way that new therapies have been embraced. And from my point of view, these factors are equally important. They translate in the patient outcomes ultimately just like the therapies that we choose to. And we need to really buy into that. We need to understand that this really affects our patient outcomes as much as our therapies do. So, a couple of things. One is that you've already mentioned the different ways that navigation might improve outcomes, and that's clearly the case. But there are other aspects which are really critical to a lot of conversations we've been having, and that is that navigators fill vital roles that when they're not present are often filled by the treating physician, trying to make sure that the diagnostic tests, the genomics are all done, trying to make sure that the patient is getting their radiologic studies on time, trying to make sure that the appropriate appointments are being set up. Navigators are very, very good at doing this. They're very good at bonding to the patients and helping the patients feel secure through this cancer journey. But if they're not there, either those things don't get done or the clinician, the treating physician or the advanced practice provider is doing that. And so, it has the dual effect of both burdening clinicians who really have another role in the care of the patients doing these other scheduling and navigation functions as well as improving the overall care. I will say that in my own experience, it's important to have navigators who are skilled in their areas, that understand the diseases that we're treating, that understand the patient's needs in relation to those diseases and the treatments and diagnostics that we have to offer. So, there is a real skill to navigation, but a skilled navigator really makes a huge difference to the patient. And again, not only in the very tangible ways that you mentioned, but also frankly in the psychological security of the patient. And patients will tell you this and there are surveys out there that show this, that patients who are undergoing a new diagnosis of cancer are terrified, do much better psychologically when they have a navigator at their side through this journey. But it has tremendous benefit to the clinicians as well. And why haven't we embraced navigators? I can only speculate, but one of the comments that I get from health system administrators is, “Well, they cost a lot of money, and their work is not reimbursed as part of health care reimbursement.” But there is, again, overwhelming evidence to show that the return on investment for navigators is substantial. And it's substantial because it keeps patients in your practice, it provides more efficient care at all levels. And we published out of the National Cancer Policy Forum work, an article that basically shows from a variety of different centers, including mine at Penn, that there is a tremendous ROI for having navigators. So yeah, it's a little bit of money upfront to hire them, but ultimately, it's a good thing financially as well as clinically. Dr. John Sweetenham: Yeah. So often with these kind of wraparound services that are so important to our patients showing and being able to clearly demonstrate the kind of downstream revenue from those services is difficult, but is I think probably evident to those of us who are in the clinic and see what happens. So, maybe we need some more sophisticated financial models to be able to highlight that to our leaders in the health systems, I think that the evidence is really quite clear. So, Larry, one of the disparities that you've mentioned, and perhaps we haven't focused on quite so much in this discussion, has been the issue of cancer care for rural versus urban communities. And I think it's important that we highlight the challenges that oncologists are facing in rural communities across the country in caring for patients who live many miles away from a hospital or clinical practice and where the oncologists do not have the kind of support system that you'd find in an academic center in a major city. Can you comment a little on that? Lawrence Shulman: Sure, John. This is a real problem. I and others have published on cancer survival statistics in rural settings and in small community hospitals and they are in fact inferior to larger academic cancer centers, probably for a multitude of reasons. And one of our colleagues, Dr. Otis Brawley, made the comment a number of years ago and still repeats it, that your likelihood of surviving cancer in the U.S. is more tightly linked to your ZIP code than your genetic code. And there is some truth to that. Now, there are tremendous challenges for providing cancer care in a small, rural hospital. We practice in academic medical centers; I'm a breast cancer doctor and I spend all of my time trying to stay current in breast cancer. And it's a field that's changing rapidly. It's hard for me to imagine how my colleagues who are generalists in the community are keeping up with the advances in so many different diseases. And I think frankly, it's really, really hard to do that. In addition, all of us at academic centers have weekly tumor boards. We get to ask our colleagues what their thoughts are about our difficult cases. We get a lot of input from pathologists, radiologists, and other colleagues. And frequently clinicians, physicians, oncologists, practicing in rural hospitals don't have that constituency around them for them to bounce difficult patients off of to try to figure out what the best approach might be for a patient. So, the differences are terrific, and the support is just not there. This is something that our country has not really confronted. We have a very big country geographically. Some of the areas of the country are quite rural. A patient can't be expected to travel four hours in each direction to an academic cancer center. We need to figure out how to better partner between our academic cancer centers and our community colleagues to support their care in ways that we've not done routinely up to this point. I know that the National Cancer Institute is very interested in this and trying to figure it out. But again, I think we have to feel a collective responsibility to support our colleagues in the community. They try really hard, they're working really hard, they're doing the best they can, but they just don't have the support that we have in academic cancer centers. Dr. John Sweetenham: Yeah, sure. Before we wrap up the podcast today, I'd like to circle back a little to something that you said earlier and a topic that I know that you've published about quite extensively in the past and that's the issue of health care technology. And I think we probably all agree that health care's been a little bit slow to capitalize on technology to improve our care processes and outcomes. And your research has highlighted that technology can facilitate patient-clinician interactions in a number of ways through augmented intelligence, texting, chatbots, among other things. Can you tell us a little bit about this, how you think that AI might be able to help us in the future to streamline the management of some of these medical and administrative issues that we've been talking about today? Dr. Lawrence Shulman: Sure, John. It's hard to turn the TV on or read a newspaper without an article on artificial intelligence. But the word you used is the word that I use, which is augmented intelligence. I don't think we're looking to replace clinicians with technology, but we're looking to in fact make their jobs easier, to remove some of the tasks that they don't need to do themselves as really an assistant, if you will, another assistant. We have used technology extremely poorly in the medical profession overall. I'm not quite sure why that is. But if you look at the banking industry or other industries, they've used technology tremendously well with great benefit, benefit not only for the people who are using the services, in our case, the patients, but also those who are providing the services, in our case, the clinicians. So, I think we need to do a better job. We need to have electronic health records that are in fact helping rather than sometimes hindering or making frustrating the care of the patients. We need to use artificial intelligence or augmented intelligence to interact with patients and help to manage them. We're using augmented intelligence chatbots to manage patients who are on oral chemotherapy able to do a lot of the tasks that normally the clinicians would be doing without in any way jeopardizing the safety or the well-being of the patients. The patients actually tell us that they like this, that it's just another way to feel connected to their practice in a way that's efficient and easy for them through texting rather than sometimes trying to call the practice, which can be frustrating. But there are lots of other things as well in analyzing data, bringing data forward that will help us to make the appropriate decisions. And one of the things that I often use as an example is the airline industry. And they have a remarkable safety record as we all know, thank goodness. But if you sit in the cockpit of an airplane and you look at the instruments, all the critical data is right in front of them, unencumbered and very clearly presented because they need those data to fly the plane, and they need those data to be rapidly and easily accessible. They can get all the data they need; you look at the cockpit ceiling, it's got a thousand switches on, everything they need is there, but the critical data is never hidden and always presented. I don't think that that in fact is the way our electronic health records are set up. In fact, quite the contrary. And all of us spend a fair amount of time looking for data and so on because the records are complicated, and they're used by a lot of different specialists. But we can use augmented intelligence to bring all the critical data up, just like the cockpit in an airplane, to make sure that we have what we need rapidly accessible, and we don't miss anything. We don't go looking for the genomic test and can't find them and then assume they weren't done and make a decision without critical data when in fact they were done, but the data is hidden. So, I think we have a lot of options to use technology to improve our daily lives. I think it will take away some of the frustrations that lead to burnout, and we'll also make practice not only more efficient, but frankly also much safer. I think we have to work hard on this. We could partner with that technology colleagues. We at Penn are trying to do that. I know others are trying to do it as well. And I think the patients will benefit, will all benefit. Practice will be better, safer, less frustrating, and the outcomes of the patients will be better. Dr. John Sweetenham: Yeah, thanks Larry. I think your analogy with an aircraft cockpit is so perceptive and I think that that's something if we could unclutter our electronic health records and what we're seeing in front of us in at the points of care in the clinic, I agree 100% that will be such a step forward. So, thanks for sharing that. Thanks also, Larry, for discussing some of these challenges that we're going to be confronting in the next year and beyond, as well as the potential solutions. I think one thing that is really important to remember despite these challenges is something that I mentioned in the introduction to the podcast today. So, when we are all feeling a little bit disheartened because of the challenges ahead of us, it's important to remember that in 2026 there will be an estimated 20.3 million cancer survivors in the United States, which really does underline how far we've come, certainly in the time that you and I have been practicing oncology, and really important not to lose sight of that. We had a lot of challenges, but really the achievements of the last 50 years or so are pretty remarkable. It's been a real pleasure to have you on the podcast today, so thank you again for joining us and for sharing your thoughts with us. Dr. Lawrence Shulman: Thanks so much for having me, John. Dr. John Sweetenham: And thank you to our listeners for your time today. If you value the insights that you hear on the ASCO Daily News Podcast, please take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. For more information on Dr. Shulman's research discussed in this episode, please see the articles below: The Future of Cancer Care in the United States—Overcoming Workforce Capacity Limitations | Health Care Workforce | JAMA Oncology | JAMA Network Developing and Sustaining an Effective and Resilient Oncology Careforce: Opportunities for Action - PubMed (nih.gov) Re-envisioning the Paradigm for Oncology Electronic Health Record Documentation by Paying for What Matters for Patients, Quality, and Research | Health Care Reform | JAMA Oncology | JAMA Network Survival As a Quality Metric of Cancer Care: Use of the National Cancer Data Base to Assess Hospital Performance - PubMed (nih.gov) Establishing effective patient navigation programs in oncology - PubMed (nih.gov) Patient Navigation in Cancer: The Business Case to Support Clinical Needs Cancer Care and Cancer Survivorship Care in the United States: Will We Be Able to Care for These Patients in the Future? - PMC (nih.gov) Disclaimer: The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. This is not a substitute for professional medical care and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions. Guests on this podcast express their own opinions, experience, and conclusions. Guest statements on the podcast do not express the opinions of ASCO. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity or therapy should not be construed as an ASCO endorsement. Find out more about today's speakers:      Dr. John Sweetenham  Dr. Lawrence Shulman     Follow ASCO on social media:       @ASCO on Twitter    ASCO on Facebook    ASCO on LinkedIn       Disclosures:      Dr. John Sweetenham:   Consulting or Advisory Role: EMA Wellness     Dr. Lawrence Shulman: Consulting or Advisory Role: Genetech Research Funding (Inst.): Celgene, Independence Blue Cross

Bethany Franklin is a Lead Family Therapist, M.Ed., LCSW, CAADC, RAE and Tom McDermitt the Sr. Regional Resource Director, BA, AAC, RAE for Caron Treatment Centers. In this episode, we discuss: How addiction as a family disease The roles family and support systems play in recovery How Caron is supporting inclusive recovery environments Equitable access to recovery treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond What it looks like to enter a recovery journey with Caron Hosted by Heather Major, Executive Director, Independence Blue Cross Foundation. Recovery is possible, and help is available. Please visit our website to learn how we are collaborating to address this crisis: www.ibxfoundation.org . TM 2023 Someone You Know®. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimers This podcast contains opinionated content and may not reflect the opinions of any organizations this podcast is affiliated with. Nothing discussed in this podcast shall constitute or should be construed as an endorsement by the Independence Blue Cross Foundation or Independence Blue Cross, LLC of any product or service discussed herein. This podcast discusses opioid use, opioid treatment, and physical and psychological trauma, which may be triggering for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. This podcast is solely for informational purposes. Listeners are advised to do their own diligence when it comes to making decisions that may affect their health. Patients in need of medical advice should consult their personal health care provider. The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. It is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional.

In the latest episode of the Alloutcoach Podcast I spoke with Dr. Pierantonio Russo, (Corporate Chief Medical Officer @Eversana), a cardiac and heart transplant surgeon, former Chief of Cardiac Surgery and Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at a various top academic hospitals across the U.S. with expertise in machine learning, data analytics, health economics and population medicine with leadership roles at large national health plans such as Independence Blue Cross and Harvard Pilgrim Health. In this conversation he shares his enthusiasm for the potential of computation and technology to advance medicine and addresses critical topics of health equity, electronic medical records, and quality of care. Dr. Russo discusses numerous specific case studies from state of the art examples and publications from other innovators in medicine as well as from his career to explain how he has applied his experience as a clinical, administrative, and academic leader in medicine to impact large populations of patients using advanced data analytics, Machine Learning, AI and medical informatics. 3:42 What are some of the most memorable moments in your career as a cardiac transplant surgeon? 5:21 How did his experience as a cardiac surgeon spark his interest in studying the impact of computation and machine learning on advancing medicine? 6:59 How do you think health payers can partner with providers to help make better clinical decisions? 13:52 How are health providers who work at health plans responding to unprecedented growth in the volume of data to better identify and analyze patients? 16:31 Examples of predictive ML models in healthcare directly affecting and improving quality of care 22:06 Are there differences in access to genetic testing in the US vs other countries? 22:57 How can advanced ML models help identify genetic mutations earlier at the RNA level? 26:20 What is the focus of your current work at EVERSANA? 29:03 What type of data is required to ensure access to trials or treatments, adherence and maintenance of care? 33:03 How can patients hold on to their own patient records so they can expect to receive the same high quality of care as they move from one provider or health system to the next? 35:25 Dr Russo: Take caution when you interpret medical information across various social and other media outlets. 36:53 How do you hope to improve the explainability of ML/AI applications in medicine through your education and enthusiasm for their potential?

On Wednesday, May 10th, The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia will be honoring individuals at the Celebrate Hope Annual Luncheon for their work in improving the lives of others through health care, the arts, and more.   The ‘Others' Award will be presented to Stephen Fera, Executive Vice President and Head of Public Affairs for Independence Blue Cross. Through federal and state government relations, Fera has worked to provide better access to care for millions of Americans.   Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph and her husband Senator Vincent Hughes will receive the Doing The Most Good Award. Through their DIVA foundation, they host an annual benefit concert to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and other diseases.   The Eliza Shirley Women in Leadership Award will be given to Romona Riscoe Benson. She has produced the PECO Energy Jazz Festival and a career fair for urban youth looking for careers in hospitality.   For more information about the Celebrate Hope Annual Luncheon and its honorees, visit SACONNECTS.org

A pandemic is not on anybody's wish list. But the one that COVID-19 has wrought has ushered in some constructive changes to U.S. healthcare that previously has been more talked about than done, according to Rodrigo Cerdá, senior vice president of health services and chief medical officer at Independence Blue Cross in Philadelphia. Cerda is this month's guest on the “What's on Your Mind?” podcast, and in this episode, he talks with Managing Editor Peter Wehrwein, about another pandemic silver lining: the recognition of the significance of behavioral health. Cerdá refers to it as “whole-person health” and how it helps spur Independence to integrate coverage and management of behavioral health services into its other offerings.

Well, this episode is suddenly incredibly relevant again just with all the stuff going on with co-pay maximizers. If you're gonna understand maximizers, though, you really have to start here. In a nutshell, this whole thing is a battle royale between co-pay cards and patient assistance programs offered by pharma companies versus co-pay accumulators and co-pay maximizers deployed by health plans and PBMs (pharmacy benefit managers). I just want to start by getting everyone grounded on a few really key points. #1: Drug abandonment is a thing. Patient goes into the pharmacy to pick up their Rx and the out of pocket is too expensive, so they leave without their drug. This can happen on the first fill, like, “Oh, wow, I guess I don't really need that new drug my doctor just told me I should pick up.” Or it can happen downstream, like in January when, all of a sudden, a deductible kicks in. But in all cases, we have a patient getting sticker shock on the out of pocket for a med and then going without the drug … or pill splitting or rationing or doing other things to save money. #2: How PBMs shake rebates out of pharma manufacturers is to use what I just said (that whole abandonment possibility) as a leverage point. Pharma goes into a PBM that controls access for drugs for, I don't know, 100 million lives. The PBM says, “Hey, you, Pharma! If you want to be on our formulary, you gotta kick out this much in rebates.” Pharma says, “No, that is too much rebate. I cannot pay it.” PBM says, “Well, then … OK, you're not on formulary or you are poorly positioned on formulary. And let me translate what that means. Now the out of pocket for your drug will be so expensive that patients are gonna walk out of the pharmacy without your drug because I, the PBM, have control over patient out of pocket and I will make it very expensive.” From a pharma's standpoint, all those patients that aren't picking up the drug … that means a loss of market share. And that market share can translate into a lot of lost revenue for the pharma company. And thus begins the whole war of the co-pays/out of pockets. So now, let's fast-forward through the past, say, 10-plus years. It'll be like one of those movie montages with the action sped up so fast you don't need words to see what's going on … except this is an audio podcast, so I guess you do need words. Alright, so this is what happens next: Pharma starts raising its prices combined with there's more super expensive specialty pharmacy drugs. Reaction by the PBMs to this was to try to get more aggressive with Pharma demanding increasingly high rebates and other concessions, keeping in mind the prize and leverage point that the PBMs offered Pharma to secure those PBM rebates was lower co-pays or out of pockets for patients. Again, it's a well-known fact that the higher the patient out of pocket, the lower the market share of the drug because the higher the patient cost, the more patients abandon at the pharmacy counter. It's the old supply and demand curve at work. At a certain point here in all of this, the pharma companies start to get really pissed about their dwindling net prices as rebates start going up and up and their market share kind of doesn't because the PBMs are keeping the money and maybe not passing it along to plan sponsors or patients. It's a zero-sum game fight over the money, and Pharma feels like the PBMs are getting more than their share. And they're pretty smart, these pharma manufacturers. So, Pharma comes up with a Houdini move to escape PBMs holding Pharma hostage for rebates by using their control over how much patients pay or don't pay at the pharmacy counter. Fasten your seatbelts and let the games begin. Pharma decided to hand out co-pay discount cards. Then Pharma doesn't have to pay PBM rebates to get lower patient out-of-pocket costs. They can finesse lower patient out-of-pocket costs all by themselves. Take that, PBMs! Except now, the PBMs see this—and they raise. Enter co-pay accumulators and also co-pay maximizers. For this part of the extravaganza of game theory at its finest, I'm gonna let Dea Belazi, PharmD, MPH, my guest in this episode, explain further. However, one more thing to point out before we begin. In the olden days, this whole war of who has leverage over who transpired in the context of small molecule drugs in competitive markets a lot of times. So, like Lipitor versus Crestor and the brands all cost, like, $100 a month and, maybe, there was a generic equivalent. If the health plan made it too expensive for a patient to get one of those drugs, they usually made another one in the same class attractive financially. So, the patient had (theoretically, at least) options; and the stakes were also a lot lower. The dollar volumes that we're talking about here were a lot lower. Now this same war is being fought on the specialty side of the house, where drugs cost thousands or tens of thousands a month and the patient may have but one option. So, if it's made to be financially toxic for a patient to get that one drug, the patient has to choose between their family's health and dipping into their 401k in order to afford their out-of-pocket costs. Or going bankrupt. Or dying. And when I say “or dying,” that is not hyperbole. There are studies that clearly show the mortality rates for patients who have trouble affording their meds are worse. In these cases, Pharma can be, sort of authentically, a hero who steps in and helps patients who are functionally uninsured because they can't afford the co-pays and deductibles that their plan sponsors have put in place to actually use the insurance that they are paying handsome premiums to have. Pharma can step in and help via these co-pay discount cards or coinsurance programs or through patient assistance programs helping those with lower incomes. So, there's no question in the short term that when a patient desperately needs a drug and their insurance is insufficient, a pharma manufacturer can be a knight in shining armor financially. But only if this were so simple, like this is some kind of spaghetti western with the good guys and the bad guys. Now let's think about this co-pay/out-of-pocket assistance offered by Pharma with a longer timeframe or a more systemic timeframe in mind. How is it that Pharma can have prices that are as high as we all know they are? Right?! It's because enough patients don't abandon the med at the pharmacy counter or, these days, in the infusion clinic. So, the lower Pharma can drive the patient out of pocket for a really expensive drug, the more they have a certain amount of impunity to raise the drug prices. This is a lot of the argument against price caps on out of pockets just in general, by the way. They matter for patients. They save lives. But they also have the consequence of kind of getting rid of what is often seen as a big control point checking pharma prices from zinging even higher than they already are. Bottom line, we have a catch-22 on our hands—and the patient is stuck in the middle. If you're a patient and you need your miracle drug (and a lot of patients call these drugs their miracle drugs), Pharma is your hero … at least right now. However, Pharma is also now able to raise their prices even more next year; and now you really need their out-of-pocket support because the price of the drug is so high your employer/taxpayers can't afford the rising drug spend and even more cost gets shifted onto patients. It becomes like Stockholm syndrome. But again, no white hats and black hats here. This whole thing is one of those incomprehensible art house films with lots of plot twists and in every other scene, you start to feel for the character you just hated 10 minutes ago … because while Pharma is getting busy raising prices, you have PBMs and nothing-for-nothing plan sponsors also up to their own machinations. Like, hey, here's one that's quite a marvel: PBM double-dipping. If the PBM can get Pharma to pay the patient deductible and then also get the patient to pay the patient deductible … Hmmm … By the way, that was a backdoor introduction to accumulators. And then later on, maximizers showed up on the scene. I just want to say that with maximizers, not all are created equal. I can certainly see their value for patients when they are deployed by companies and plan sponsors as part of their benefit designs with an explicit goal of helping members and the plan itself (nothing for nothing) afford expensive drugs it's clear that the patients need. But … I have to say, and I'm not well versed enough yet in how this maximizer business has evolved to comment on whether some of what is going on is still a net positive for some members and patients. Some of these PBMs have opened up entirely separate maximizer companies, which, for sure, they are upcharging employer plan sponsors to use. And the whole point of these separate entities is to get as much cash out of Pharma as possible while they, I don't know, may or may not pass that cash on as savings to patients and members. I need to do a show on this coming up. There's a new bill in the House, by the way. It's called the HELP Copays Act, which I don't think is just aimed at accumulators. If you didn't understand what I just said, you will after you listen to this episode. With that, here's Dea Belazi. Dea is president and CEO over at AscellaHealth. He is a pharmacist by training who has worked for Pharma, and then he worked at a health plan, spending a lot of time in the PBM space. In other words, he's seen this tangled web from pretty much every angle. We kick right into the conversation talking about accumulators.   You can learn more at ascellahealth.com.   Dea Belazi, PharmD, MPH, has led the development and management of AscellaHealth's global specialty pharmacy benefit and healthcare services for nearly a decade. As a visionary and architect of change, leading the AscellaHealth shift from pharmacy benefit management to specialty pharmacy solutions, he has played a key role in the company, achieving a staggering four-year growth of more than 1556%. Previously, he served as a senior executive and played a key role in the growth and expansion of PerformRx, a PBM owned by Keystone First Health Plan. Additionally, Dea held a leadership position at FutureScripts, an Independence Blue Cross company that was sold to Catamaran. A respected industry professional and thought leader, Dea is often invited as a reviewer for multiple medical journals and holds a seat on the board of directors for numerous healthcare-related companies. Based on his impressive career and growing reputation, he was chosen to serve on FierceHealthcare's Editorial Advisory Council. Dea was most recently recognized as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2022 Greater Philadelphia Award Finalist; he is also a 2022 Philadelphia Titan and a 2021 Philadelphia Business Journal Most Admired CEO honoree. Dea holds a PharmD from the University of Rhode Island. He completed his dissertation at Brown University, earned a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University, and served as a post-doc health outcomes research Fellow at Thomas Jefferson University.   11:06 “The concept of co-pay accumulators wasn't just a … PBM thought, but it also came from their customers, whether it was health plans or employer groups.” 15:50 “[This is] literally a math problem based on, ‘Do I spend it now? Do I spend it later?'” 17:20 What reason do employers and payers have for doing this? 21:13 “This is another mechanism for payers to push down additional cost to both the patient and now the pharma company.” 22:24 EP241 with Vinay Patel. 22:59 “I don't think accumulators are really forcing Pharma to be more competitive.” 25:06 How co-pay maximizers are different from co-pay accumulators. 28:09 Who doesn't like co-pay accumulators and maximizers? 30:01 How patient advocacy groups are a different model. 32:10 What is the biggest challenge facing employers right now?   You can learn more at ascellahealth.com.   Dea Belazi of @AscellaHealth discusses #copayaccumulators and #copaymaximizers on our #healthcarepodcast. #healthcare #podcast #digitalhealth #healthtech #copay   Recent past interviews: Click a guest's name for their latest RHV episode! Brennan Bilberry, Dr Vikas Saini and Judith Garber, David Muhlestein, Nikhil Krishnan (Encore! EP355), Emily Kagan Trenchard, Dr Scott Conard, Gloria Sachdev and Chris Skisak, Mike Thompson, Dr Rishi Wadhera (Encore! EP326), Ge Bai (Encore! EP356)

In this final panel episode, we round out the night with an in-depth Q&A session about our new normal in the workplace. Panelists include Kimberly Smith of JLL, Crystal Ashby of Independence Blue Cross, and Angela Val of Visit Philadelphia.

In this panel episode, we continue on to our real estate section, examining how Center City thrives in our new norm, and the ways companies can balance the needs of their business and the needs of their workers. Panelists include Kimberly Smith of JLL, Crystal Ashby of Independence Blue Cross, and Angela Val of Visit Philadelphia.

Tune in for the latest industry news.

In this panel episode, we continue our exploration of Center City thriving in our new norm, and the ways companies can balance the needs of their business and the needs of their workers. Panelists include Kimberly Smith of JLL, Crystal Ashby of Independence Blue Cross, and Angela Val of Visit Philadelphia.  

In this panel episode, we explore how Center City can thrive in our new norm, and the ways companies balance the needs of their business and the needs of their workers. Panelists include Kimberly Smith of JLL, Crystal Ashby of Independence Blue Cross, and Angela Val of Visit Philadelphia.

In the second part of our Alzheimer's episode, host Peter Panageas discusses Alzheimer's from the perspective of personal experiences, clinical care, and facility management. His guests are Dr. Heidi J. Syropoulos, Medical Director for Government Markets at Independence Blue Cross, Jim Biggs, Chief Executive Officer of West Bay Senior Living LLC, and Michael Burnham, whose father battled Alzheimer's.

Laura Dyrda delivers the latest Payer industry news.

In episode 12, host Peter Panageas invites guests to discuss Alzheimer's from the perspective of personal experiences, clinical care, and facility management. His guests are Dr. Heidi J. Syropoulos, Medical Director for Government Markets at Independence Blue Cross, Jim Biggs, Chief Executive Officer of West Bay Senior Living LLC, and Michael Burnham, whose father is battling Alzheimer's.

Dr. Rodrigo Cerda, Vice President of Clinical Care Transformation at Independence Blue Cross in Pennsylvania, joined the podcast to discuss organizational growth, access to care and digital transformation.

In episode 11, host Peter Panageas invites two special guests to discuss how the BlueCross BlueShield Association, Independence Blue Cross, and Blue plans across the country are changing the trajectory of racial health disparities. His guests are Dr. Adam Myers, senior vice president and chief clinical transformation officer for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and Dr. Seun Ross, Director of Health Equity at Independence Blue Cross.

In this episode, Peter Wehrwein, managing editor of Managed Healthcare Executive, speaks with Dr. Rodrigo Cerda. Dr. Cerda has been recently promoted to the position of senior vice president of health services and chief medical officer of Independence Blue Cross in Philadelphia. He is also a member of Managed Healthcare Executive's editorial advisory board. Peter and Dr. Cerda discuss his new role at the Independence Blue Cross, what it means to be a chief medical officer at an insurer these days, valued-based care, social determinants of health, and, of course, the pandemic.

Patrick Flynn is a Government Affairs Specialist for Independence Blue Cross. In this role, he is part of a team that communicates the company's public policy positions to elected officials and regulators at the federal, state and local levels. This includes Independence's key priorities to address the ongoing opioid epidemic.Since 2014, Patrick has been in recovery from opioid addiction. He strives to help others looking to live a new way of life and do his part to break the stigma of addiction, especially in the workplace.A native of Scranton, Patrick is the son of Catherine and the late Matthew Flynn. He has a sister Maura and a brother Matthew. Patrick has two nieces, Cate and Annie, who he completely adores.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/allbetter)

In episode seven of IBX: The Cover Story, I sit down with Amy Gallo, director of sales at Independence Blue Cross, and Sue Weldon, founder and CEO of Unite for HER, as they share their journeys with having breast cancer. We also discuss how her own cancer treatment inspired Sue to help thousands of women battling breast cancer every year through Unite for HER.

Dr. Seun Ross and Bonnie discuss the changing healthcare workforce, the growing use of LPN's/LVN's and the changing dynamics of where care is provided, including the increasing shift to telehealth and homecare. Dr. Seun Ross has now taken on a new role as Executive Director, Health Equity at Independence Blue Cross. You can check out her LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seun-ross-dnp-ms-crnp-f-np-c-60a34b184/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Peter Panageas reflects on Pride month and discusses how businesses can better support LGBTQ+ employees and their families. His guests are James Startare, VP of Benefits at Aramark; Vince Poplaski, VP of Executive Compensation at Aramark and the Co-Chair of Aramark's PRIDE employee resource group; Miyumi Fair, Associate Knowledge Management Analyst at Independence Blue Cross and a member of the Independence PRIDE associate resource group; and Janine Brandolo, Manager of Benefits Administration & Wellness at Independence Blue Cross.  

Every year National Nurses Month invites us to focus on the value of nursing, nurses, and their essential role in our community. This year, as a result of the pandemic, our celebration comes with a new level of perspective. Host Peter Panageas speaks with nurse guests about their roles and experiences. Peter's guests are Michelle Jackson-Ware an Asthma Care Coordinator at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and a winner of the Independence Blue Cross Celebrate Caring award, Bernadette Salopek a nurse at Journey Hospice, and Diana Lehman the director of our care management department at Independence Blue Cross.   

What will the post-pandemic workplace look like? Host Peter Panageas asks the experts about their plans and predictions. Peter's guests are Jeanie Heffernan, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Independence Blue Cross and Caryn Noble, Vice President, Benefits at Tokio Marine Group, TMNA.

Essential workers have a 55% greater chance of contracting COVID-19 compared with nonessential workers according to a recent study by Independence Blue Cross and Penn. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.