Podcast appearances and mentions of mark masselli

Dr. Leana Wen, a health news commentator for The Washington Post and CNN, is known for trying to have an open view toward untraditional opinions. For instance, she tells “Conversations on Health Care” that the new National Institutes of Health and Food and Drug Administration directors are both “qualified individuals who have credentials from major medical institutions, who have worked in those fields.”She says her hope is that “behind the scenes they will act as tempering force… against the worse excesses around …Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and vaccine policy.”But she also tells hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter that “Of course, this is an extremely worrisome time… many of the changes we're seeing are even more extreme than may have been anticipated.”In addition, Dr. Wen urges nuance in evaluating public health claims. “It's important for us to evaluate each of these claims separately… and not have a knee-jerk reaction to everything [Kennedy] says.”This episode dives into the politics of vaccines, the measles outbreak, food additives, artificial intelligence in medicine, and the evolving role of trust in public health.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Very early this morning the U.S. House passed a bill that would result in more than 7 million people losing Medicaid coverage if it became law; that estimate is from the Congressional Budget Office.As the bill was coming together, the chief Washington correspondent for KFF Health News shared her analysis. Julie Rovner highlighted that to get a bill across the finish line was going to require overcoming the skepticism of some politicians. “There's a growing group of Republicans who are unhappy with how many reductions there are to the Medicaid program… including people who voted for the Republican [Party] and President Trump,” she said. Rovner also reviewed the Trump administration's efforts to ignore congressional appropriations and other laws. “As I say, this administration… is not following the law” and Rovner explained how that threatens the country's public health. From the future of Medicaid and food assistance to questions about accountability and health infrastructure, this conversation offers crucial insights into the latest health policy flashpoints with hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Originally broadcast May 8, 2025 Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and melanoma is its deadliest form. Cases have tripled in the past 30 years, particularly among younger people — even as rates for other common cancers have gone down. Marc Hurlbert, Ph.D., CEO of the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA), joins “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter to talk about the urgent need for more research, the role of philanthropy, and... Read More Read More The post Menacing Melanoma: Marc Hulbert, PhD on How You Can Fight Back appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and melanoma is its deadliest form. Cases have tripled in the past 30 years, particularly among younger people — even as rates for other common cancers have gone down.Marc Hurlbert, Ph.D., CEO of the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA), joins “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter to talk about the urgent need for more research, the role of philanthropy, and why early detection remains critical.“We've invested in research that's led to 17 FDA-approved treatments, dramatically improving patient outcomes — and the dermatologist remains one of our strongest allies,” Hurlbert shares.He also discusses the promise of cutting-edge tools like gene-based blood tests and machine learning, while calling for broader access to clinical trials.“I think we're at a place where philanthropy is doing more to advance research than the government,” he says.From innovative treatment approaches to the push for inclusive prevention efforts across all communities, this conversation offers critical insights during Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A recent survey surprisingly found only 41% of physicians were “very confident” about their ability to provide equal quality care to patients with a disability. Megan Morris, Ph.D., and her allies are trying to figure out why and how to boost that percentage. STAT News' STATUS List recently added Morris to its prestigious collection of influencers because of her role as founder of the Disability Equity Collaborative. In an interview with “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter, Morris discusses how outdated attitudes, inaccessible equipment, and a lack of training continue to limit healthcare access for patients with disabilities. Morris also shares how new federal standards are pushing healthcare systems to better track and respond to disability needs and why simply collecting data isn't enough without systemic change. “We have long argued that collecting disability status information should be part of standard demographics. Just like asking what language you speak, you have to ask: ‘Do you have a disability?' so you can identify accommodation needs early and deliver better care.” From bias in provider attitudes to practical solutions using technology, Morris lays out a clear roadmap for building a healthcare system that truly serves everyone. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A recent survey surprisingly found only 41% of physicians were “very confident” about their ability to provide equal quality care to patients with a disability. Megan Morris, Ph.D., and her allies are trying to figure out why and how to boost that percentage. STAT News' STATUS List recently added Morris to its prestigious collection of influencers because of her role as founder of the Disability Equity Collaborative. In an interview with “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret... Read More Read More The post Healthcare Disability Advocate, Fueled by Personal Experience: Megan Morris appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

Originally broadcast April 22, 2025 Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the U.S. will phase out the remaining eight artificial food dyes from America's food supply within two years. This is a move that leading nutritionist and author Marion Nestle, Ph.D., has long advocated for. “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter spoke to her before today's news conference. She says, “I'm all for getting bad chemicals out of the food supply,... Read More Read More The post Breaking News: Food Dye Ban: Support But More Needed, Says Dr. Marion Nestle appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

The U.S. healthcare system could save up to 500,000 lives and $1.5 trillion a year by embracing the right technology, says Dr. Robert Pearl, a Stanford University professor and a noted healthcare influencer. Pearl, who co-authored his new book “ChatGPT, MD” with the help of generative AI, says the tech's strength lies in its access to the entirety of medical knowledge. “We shouldn't think of [generative AI] as just another AI tool. This is as … different from what's come before as the iPhone was from the telephone that was in most people's kitchens attached to the wall.” For clinicians and patients alike, that access can be transformative. Parents might use it to uncover what's wrong with their child when traditional medicine is still searching for answers. A doctor might identify rare diagnoses in minutes, work that would have taken days in a library. Hospitals already collect massive data — about a terabyte per facility annually — but 97% of it is never reviewed, Pearl says. The key is narrowing it to specific diseases or trends.Pearl tells “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter that Gen AI will gain widespread medical acceptance when studies compare outcomes with and without the technology“We're going to find that the technology is 10% better than the average clinician … or the average nurse in a chronic disease management program…or, for that matter, potentially even the average physician doing inpatient care when there are five or six different doctors taking care of the same patient and they're not effectively communicating.”Click now to hear his take on the technology's other benefits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes founded his eponymous Medical Institute over 70 years ago devoted to “unlocking the fundamentals of biology and building an open, inclusive future for science.”Some say Howard Hughes Medical Institute is bringing its founder's vision into the future with its one-of-a-kind Janelia Research Campus in Ashburn, Virginia. On this 281-acre parcel of land, integrated teams of lab scientists and tool-builders pursue a small number of scientific questions with potential for transformative impact. To drive science forward, they share their methods, results, and tools with the scientific community.Nelson Spruston, Ph.D., the executive director at HHMI's Janelia research campus, also tells hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter about AI@HHMI, its new $500 million initiative to embed AI systems throughout every stage of the scientific process.Spruston says, “Our approach is to identify people who have a very strong track record of making important discoveries in biomedical research and letting them pursue their best ideas without asking for our permission. What we're trying to do at HHMI is to use the deep bench of talent … to come up with ideas for problems [and address] long-standing open questions in the biological sciences.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Originally broadcast April 3, 2025 Roughly 85% of respondents to a survey cited by Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, say they would rather do their taxes than get a colonoscopy. “We need to do a better job of talking to the public about the barriers,” Sapienza tells “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter. Sapienza, whose mother died of the disease at age 58, says people may be less than excited to do the... Read More Read More The post ‘If Ryan Reynolds doesn't get you to do it…': Colorectal Cancer Alliance CEO talks screening appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

Roughly 85% of respondents to a survey cited by Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, say they would rather do their taxes than get a colonoscopy. “We need to do a better job of talking to the public about the barriers,” Sapienza tells "Conversations on Health Care" hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter. Sapienza, whose mother died of the disease at age 58, says people may be less than excited to do the preparation, or colon cleanout, necessary for a screening. Or that they don't want the hassle of taking time off from work. But he emphasized that 45 is the recommended age that people begin getting regular screenings for polyps that, at some point, could develop into cancer. “45 is the new 50," says Sapienza, whose alliance was instrumental in lowering the recommended screening age and, in 2022, recruited actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to have their colon screenings filmed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Roughly 85% of respondents to a survey cited by Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, say they would rather do their taxes than get a colonoscopy.“We need to do a better job of talking to the public about the barriers,” Sapienza tells "Conversations on Health Care" hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter.Sapienza, whose mother died of the disease at age 58, says people may be less than excited to do the preparation, or colon cleanout, necessary for a screening. Or that they don't want the hassle of taking time off from work. But he emphasized that 45 is the recommended age that people begin getting regular screenings for polyps that, at some point, could develop into cancer.“45 is the new 50," says Sapienza, whose alliance was instrumental in lowering the recommended screening age and, in 2022, recruited actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to have their colon screenings filmed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Originally broadcast March 27, 2025 Two young innovators are leading a movement that proves food isn't just fuel—it's medicine. In this episode of “Conversations on Health Care,” Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter talk with Christian Heiden, founder of Levo International, and Alissa Wassung, executive director of the Food is Medicine Coalition, about how their work is shaping the future of healthcare through food. For Heiden, hydroponic farming offers an innovative way to get fresh, nutritious food into the hands of... Read More Read More The post Food is Medicine: How Young Changemakers are Transforming Healthcare appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

Two young innovators are leading a movement that proves food isn't just fuel—it's medicine. In this episode of “Conversations on Health Care,” Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter talk with Christian Heiden, founder of Levo International, and Alissa Wassung, executive director of the Food is Medicine Coalition, about how their work is shaping the future of healthcare through food. For Heiden, hydroponic farming offers an innovative way to get fresh, nutritious food into the hands of people who need it most. “We've seen case studies where diet alone has prevented people from needing multi-million dollar surgeries,” he shares, emphasizing how access to healthier food can directly improve health outcomes. Wassung, whose coalition delivers medically tailored meals to patients with serious illnesses, highlights the broader impact. “Researchers at Tufts found that if every eligible patient received medically tailored meals, we could save $13.6 billion—with a B—in just one year,” she explains. “This is a tremendous opportunity to build a more efficient and effective healthcare system.” But this movement isn't just about numbers—it's about people. Heiden and Wassung embody a generational shift in how we view food and medicine, bringing fresh energy to solutions that could transform healthcare. Their work demonstrates that investing in food-based healthcare solutions isn't just good for patients—it's good for communities and the economy, too. Join us as we explore how hydroponic farming, medically tailored meals, and cutting-edge research are proving that the right food can prevent disease, improve outcomes, and lower healthcare costs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two young innovators are leading a movement that proves food isn't just fuel—it's medicine. In this episode of “Conversations on Health Care,” Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter talk with Christian Heiden, founder of Levo International, and Alissa Wassung, executive director of the Food is Medicine Coalition, about how their work is shaping the future of healthcare through food. For Heiden, hydroponic farming offers an innovative way to get fresh, nutritious food into the hands of people who need it most. “We've seen case studies where diet alone has prevented people from needing multi-million dollar surgeries,” he shares, emphasizing how access to healthier food can directly improve health outcomes. Wassung, whose coalition delivers medically tailored meals to patients with serious illnesses, highlights the broader impact. “Researchers at Tufts found that if every eligible patient received medically tailored meals, we could save $13.6 billion—with a B—in just one year,” she explains. “This is a tremendous opportunity to build a more efficient and effective healthcare system.”But this movement isn't just about numbers—it's about people. Heiden and Wassung embody a generational shift in how we view food and medicine, bringing fresh energy to solutions that could transform healthcare. Their work demonstrates that investing in food-based healthcare solutions isn't just good for patients—it's good for communities and the economy, too.Join us as we explore how hydroponic farming, medically tailored meals, and cutting-edge research are proving that the right food can prevent disease, improve outcomes, and lower healthcare costs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Emmy award-winning actor Michael J. Fox shocked the world when he announced over 25 years ago that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Since then, he's devoted his talents to eliminating Parkinson's in our lifetime. Researchers with The Michael J. Fox Foundation now have impressive progress to report. They've developed a biomarker test to measure the protein alpha synuclein that's helping to diagnose Parkinson's with more than 90% accuracy, even proving effective at identifying people who may later develop the disease. “I think this is going to be a game changer for clinical trials and for patient care in the future,” says Samantha Hutten, Ph.D., a neuroscientist and vice president of translational research at the foundation. “But right now it is really a research tool that can be used to inform research and also how we design clinical trials.” A positive test, for example, may not be able to tell patients which type of alpha synuclein disease they have, whether it's Parkinson's, Lewy body dementia or multiple systems atrophy. “I think there's huge excitement around it, particularly about the impact on clinical trials,” says Rebecca Miller, Ph.D., an associate professor at Yale University's School of Medicine who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2013 at age 38. “We're all looking for a drug that will really be disease-modifying.” Hutten tells hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter that the biomarker test is an “all-comers” study, meaning patients can participate if they've been diagnosed or have family with Parkinson's, or have risk factors like loss of sense of smell or REM sleep behavior disorder. The test comes at a crucial time: the global rate of Parkinson's has doubled since Fox first revealed his condition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Emmy award-winning actor Michael J. Fox shocked the world when he announced over 25 years ago that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Since then, he's devoted his talents to eliminating Parkinson's in our lifetime.Researchers with The Michael J. Fox Foundation now have impressive progress to report. They've developed a biomarker test to measure the protein alpha synuclein that's helping to diagnose Parkinson's with more than 90% accuracy, even proving effective at identifying people who may later develop the disease.“I think this is going to be a game changer for clinical trials and for patient care in the future,” says Samantha Hutten, Ph.D., a neuroscientist and vice president of translational research at the foundation. “But right now it is really a research tool that can be used to inform research and also how we design clinical trials.”A positive test, for example, may not be able to tell patients which type of alpha synuclein disease they have, whether it's Parkinson's, Lewy body dementia or multiple systems atrophy.“I think there's huge excitement around it, particularly about the impact on clinical trials,” says Rebecca Miller, Ph.D., an associate professor at Yale University's School of Medicine who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2013 at age 38. “We're all looking for a drug that will really be disease-modifying.”Hutten tells hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter that the biomarker test is an “all-comers” study, meaning patients can participate if they've been diagnosed or have family with Parkinson's, or have risk factors like loss of sense of smell or REM sleep behavior disorder.The test comes at a crucial time: the global rate of Parkinson's has doubled since Fox first revealed his condition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

About 1 in 5 colorectal patients are now under the age of 55, and colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death for men under age 50 and the second for women under 50.During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we present this encore presentation of our interview with Dr. Alan Venook. Dr. Venook is with the University of California-San Francisco and is one of the nation's leading colorectal cancer researchers. He explained to “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter what it will take to reverse the rise in cases among young people. Dr. Venook also talked about his research that found there's no correlation in colorectal cancer patient survival or the risk of recurrent cancer over time with less radiation—a finding that goes against conventional wisdom. Originally broadcast February 15 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

About 1 in 5 colorectal patients are now under the age of 55, and colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death for men under age 50 and the second for women under 50. During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we present this encore presentation of our interview with Dr. Alan Venook. Dr. Venook is with the University of California-San Francisco and is one of the nation's leading colorectal cancer researchers. He explained to “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter what it will take to reverse the rise in cases among young people. Dr. Venook also talked about his research that found there's no correlation in colorectal cancer patient survival or the risk of recurrent cancer over time with less radiation—a finding that goes against conventional wisdom. Originally broadcast February 15 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Louis Sullivan walked the halls of Congress and testified before committees when he was secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. That experience, working in a bipartisan fashion in the President George H.W. Bush administration, is valuable now. During Black History Month, we revisit our interview with Dr. Sullivan for lessons about leadership and the challenges that still exist in our healthcare system. Dr. Sullivan advocates for more Blacks to train to become doctors and explains the challenges that still exist for them joining the profession. Listen in as hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter ask him to share his insights. Originally broadcast January, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Louis Sullivan walked the halls of Congress and testified before committees when he was secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. That experience, working in a bipartisan fashion in the President George H.W. Bush administration, is valuable now. During Black History Month, we revisit our interview with Dr. Sullivan for lessons about leadership and the challenges that still exist in our healthcare system. Dr. Sullivan advocates for more Blacks to train to become doctors and explains the challenges that still exist for them joining the profession. Listen in as hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter ask him to share his insights.Originally broadcast January, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

$4.95 — that's the record high price of a dozen of Grade A eggs in U.S. cities. Michael Osterholm, Ph.D., the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, says expect them to go even higher.That's because H5N1, a form of bird flu, has affected more than 156 million commercial, backyard and wild birds in the United States in the last three years. Osterholm, with nearly 50 years of experience investigating infectious disease outbreaks, emphasizes the urgent need for improved pandemic preparedness. “It's not a question of if, but when the next major outbreak will happen. Whether it's a more contagious strain of COVID-19, the bird flu or a completely new virus, we need systems in place now to protect public health and save lives.”He joins Apoorva Mandavilli, the science and global health reporter with The New York Times, to explore the critical lessons learned from COVID-19 and what must be done to prepare for future public health threats. “Bird flu may seem like a distant problem, but the global nature of infectious diseases means we're all connected,” Mandavilli says. She also notes that public trust plays a crucial role in mitigating future pandemics. “Without transparency and clear communication, public health measures are far less effective.”Conversations on Health Care hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter also ask them how public health agencies must adapt, improve transparency and build global cooperation to combat future outbreaks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

$4.95 — that's the record high price of a dozen of Grade A eggs in U.S. cities. Michael Osterholm, Ph.D., the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, says expect them to go even higher. That's because H5N1, a form of bird flu, has affected more than 156 million commercial, backyard and wild birds in the United States in the last three years. Osterholm, with nearly 50 years of experience investigating infectious disease outbreaks, emphasizes the urgent need for improved pandemic preparedness. “It's not a question of if, but when the next major outbreak will happen. Whether it's a more contagious strain of COVID-19, the bird flu or a completely new virus, we need systems in place now to protect public health and save lives.” He joins Apoorva Mandavilli, the science and global health reporter with The New York Times, to explore the critical lessons learned from COVID-19 and what must be done to prepare for future public health threats. “Bird flu may seem like a distant problem, but the global nature of infectious diseases means we're all connected,” Mandavilli says. She also notes that public trust plays a crucial role in mitigating future pandemics. “Without transparency and clear communication, public health measures are far less effective.” Conversations on Health Care hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter also ask them how public health agencies must adapt, improve transparency and build global cooperation to combat future outbreaks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Noted healthcare leader Dr. Sachin Jain has been publicly releasing his annual predictions for the sector for five years and is proud of his “pretty accurate” track record. He's out now with his list of top 10 predictions for the healthcare industry for 2025. Dr. Jain states that “Heretofore fringe ideas about wellness and disease causation and medications will continue to go mainstream.”Dr. Jain has held top positions at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT. More recently, he's been a leader in the nonprofit health world, so he has a unique perspective on the entire field. Listen in as he discusses his ideas with “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Noted healthcare leader Dr. Sachin Jain has been publicly releasing his annual predictions for the sector for five years and is proud of his “pretty accurate” track record. He's out now with his list of top 10 predictions for the healthcare industry for 2025. Dr. Jain states that “Heretofore fringe ideas about wellness and disease causation and medications will continue to go mainstream.” Dr. Jain has held top positions at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT. More recently, he's been a leader in the nonprofit health world, so he has a unique perspective on the entire field. Listen in as he discusses his ideas with “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Originally broadcast January 23, 2025 President Trump's first days in office have resulted in a number of important changes in the healthcare landscape. President Trump has withdrawn the United States from the World Health Organization, rolled back drug pricing policies and limited gender-affirming care. In addition, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., awaits his confirmation hearing to serve as secretary of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Conversations on Health Care hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter are bringing together... Read More Read More The post Health Care & President Trump: What's Happened So Far appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

President Trump's first days in office have resulted in a number of important changes in the healthcare landscape. President Trump has withdrawn the United States from the World Health Organization, rolled back drug pricing policies and limited gender-affirming care. In addition, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., awaits his confirmation hearing to serve as secretary of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Conversations on Health Care hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter are bringing together leading healthcare journalists to discuss the new administration's moves and what they mean. Their guests this week are: Shannon Firth with MedPage Today Michael McAuliff with Modern Healthcare; and  Sarah Owermohle with STAT. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump's first days in office have resulted in a number of important changes in the healthcare landscape. President Trump has withdrawn the United States from the World Health Organization, rolled back drug pricing policies and limited gender-affirming care. In addition, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., awaits his confirmation hearing to serve as secretary of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Conversations on Health Care hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter are bringing together leading healthcare journalists to discuss the new administration's moves and what they mean. Their guests this week are: Shannon Firth with MedPage Today Michael McAuliff with Modern Healthcare; and  Sarah Owermohle with STAT. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As the year begins, some patients remain concerned about how far artificial intelligence (AI) is creeping into the exam room. But AI has been part of health care longer than most realize, according to Dr. Isaac Kohane, a Harvard University professor. Kohane is the editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine's first publication devoted to AI; it's a groundbreaking role and we're proud to share an encore presentation of the interview. He told hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter that “In the 1980s, automated interpretation of an [echocardiogram] would have been considered AI. Now it's the ability to look through a patient's record and come up with a differential diagnosis, a second opinion, a therapeutic plan.” Kohane shared a success story of a mother whose child had difficulty walking and chewing, suffered from headaches and had seen more than a dozen doctors over many years, with no diagnosis. After one doctor recommended a psychiatric course of action, the mother fed the reports from various past medical visits into a generative AI program, which provided an accurate diagnosis: tethered cord syndrome. Cases like this can represent AI's potential, said Kohane. But the nascent technology raises issues of bias. “You can run tests on these AI programs and say, ‘Would you propose that diagnosis more often if this was an African-American or an Indian-American?' … And you can adjust these programs,” Kohane says. The exciting part is that the adjustment would be easier than undoing even unconscious bias among hundreds of thousands of health care professionals, he explained. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As the year begins, some patients remain concerned about how far artificial intelligence (AI) is creeping into the exam room. But AI has been part of health care longer than most realize, according to Dr. Isaac Kohane, a Harvard University professor. Kohane is the editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine's first publication devoted to AI; it's a groundbreaking role and we're proud to share an encore presentation of the interview. He told hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter that “In the 1980s, automated interpretation of an [echocardiogram] would have been considered AI. Now it's the ability to look through a patient's record and come up with a differential diagnosis, a second opinion, a therapeutic plan.” Kohane shared a success story of a mother whose child had difficulty walking and chewing, suffered from headaches and had seen more than a dozen doctors over many years, with no diagnosis. After one doctor recommended a psychiatric course of action, the mother fed the reports from various past medical visits into a generative AI program, which provided an accurate diagnosis: tethered cord syndrome. Cases like this can represent AI's potential, said Kohane. But the nascent technology raises issues of bias. “You can run tests on these AI programs and say, ‘Would you propose that diagnosis more often if this was an African-American or an Indian-American?' … And you can adjust these programs,” Kohane says. The exciting part is that the adjustment would be easier than undoing even unconscious bias among hundreds of thousands of health care professionals, he explained. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Conversations on Health Care hopes the new year is off to a great start for you! But before we completely turn the page on 2024, we want to look back on our top issues and interviews from the past year. We spoke to leading experts about the health care policies that were part of the presidential race; the promise and peril of artificial intelligence; the research into happiness; and many other issues. As President Trump, a new Congress and other new leaders in the states prepare for office, hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter present this recap and look ahead to the ideas, innovations and insights driving health care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The World Health Organization has issued a statement expressing concern about artificial intelligence in health care. In 2023, Mayo Clinic's then-Chief Information Officer Cris Ross joined us to discuss it. He led innovation projects at Mayo Clinic for over 30 years and told us “perhaps” we should be worried about ChatGPT. “These technologies are value-neutral but their usage is not necessarily value-neutral. Bad people can use good technology for bad purposes. So I think there's a very robust debate about whether these technologies should be regulated, whether they can be regulated, and if they are regulated, how we should do that,” Ross told us at the time. Listen in on this encore presentation as Ross takes hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter through this brave new world that promises to affect every part of health care. Originally broadcast June 8, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Conversations on Health Care hopes the new year is off to a great start for you! But before we completely turn the page on 2024, we want to look back on our top issues and interviews from the past year. We spoke to leading experts about the health care policies that were part of the presidential race; the promise and peril of artificial intelligence; the research into happiness; and many other issues.As President Trump, a new Congress and other new leaders in the states prepare for office, hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter present this recap and look ahead to the ideas, innovations and insights driving health care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The World Health Organization has issued a statement expressing concern about artificial intelligence in health care. In 2023, Mayo Clinic's then-Chief Information Officer Cris Ross joined us to discuss it. He led innovation projects at Mayo Clinic for over 30 years and told us “perhaps” we should be worried about ChatGPT. “These technologies are value-neutral but their usage is not necessarily value-neutral. Bad people can use good technology for bad purposes. So I think there's a very robust debate about whether these technologies should be regulated, whether they can be regulated, and if they are regulated, how we should do that,” Ross told us at the time. Listen in on this encore presentation as Ross takes hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter through this brave new world that promises to affect every part of health care. Originally broadcast June 8, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Originally broadcast October 17, 2024 For nearly the first decade of the National Institutes of Health's “All of Us” Research Program — aimed at increasing diversity in genetic research — a major component was missing: kids. “Children are approximately 24% of our population in the U.S. and 100% of our future,” Dr. Sara Van Driest, director of pediatrics for NIH's All of Us Program, told hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter. “In order to provide them with the very best... Read More Read More The post How Groundbreaking NIH Research is Expanding to Birth-to-Four-Year-Olds appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

Originally broadcast August 22, 2024 Some patients are concerned about how far artificial intelligence (AI) is creeping into the exam room. But AI has been part of health care longer than most realize, according to Dr. Isaac Kohane, a groundbreaking Harvard University professor. Kohane is the editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine's first publication devoted to AI. He tells hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter that “In the 1980s, automated interpretation of an [echocardiogram] would have been considered... Read More Read More The post NEJM's First AI Editor: Yes, AI is Here to Stay appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

Originally broadcast August 8, 2024 The director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) knows the eyes of the nation are on her. Renee Wegrzyn, Ph.D., leads the billion-dollar effort charged with leveraging research advances for real-world impact. Wegrzyn talked with hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter at Aspen Ideas: Health about the agency's initiatives, including a $100 million sprint for women's health and creating tissue-specific delivery of therapies. “How can we pursue some of these breakthroughs —... Read More Read More The post Self-healing joints? Perfect surgeries? Your tax $$ could make it happen appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

The recent death of former college football player Craig Roh from colon cancer at age 33 has brought attention to the “alarming” increase of colorectal cancer in young people. The American Cancer Society reports colon cancer is now the most common cause of cancer deaths in men under 50 and second for women under 50. Dr. Alan Venook at the University of California-San Francisco is one of the nation's leading colorectal cancer researchers. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and Dr. Venook explains to hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter how to stem the rise in cases among young people. Dr. Venook also talks about his research that found there's no compromise in colorectal cancer patient survival or the risk of recurrent cancer over time with less radiation—a finding that goes against conventional wisdom. To stream our Station live 24/7 visit www.HealthcareNOWRadio.com or ask your Smart Device to “….Play Healthcare NOW Radio”. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen

Originally broadcast on May 2, 2024 In the wake of recent bipartisan policy wins in Washington, can health care policy follow suit? Dr. Anand Parekh, chief medical advisor at the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), spoke with hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter about how the best solutions emerge from a solid understanding of the issues and the eventual give-and-take of political opponents. For example, The Milbank Memorial Fund's 2024 Scorecard Report of The Health of U.S. Primary Care declared that... Read More Read More The post Can Health Care Policy Take a Page from Recent Bipartisan Efforts? appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

Join us for a story tracing the origins and evolution of Community Health Center, Inc. Mark Masselli and president, CEO, of Community Health Center, Inc. in Middletown, CT, alongside Charles Barber, Writer-in-Residence at Wesleyan University, guide listeners through the enthralling narrative depicted in  Barber's book, "Peace & Health." Explore the beginnings of the Health Center amidst the backdrop of social upheaval, legislative reforms, and grassroots advocacy, illuminating the transformative power of community-driven health care initiatives. Uncover the pivotal moments and visionary leadership that propelled the center from modest beginnings to a beacon of excellence in health care provision. And learn about the recent partnership with Aledade, exemplifying a shared commitment to innovation, collaboration, and equitable care delivery. To learn more about the story behind Community Health Center, Inc. and Barber's book "Peace & Health," visit peaceandhealth.com.

Originally broadcast on February 22, 2024. U.S. spending on primary care fell again, to a mere 4.6% of total health care dollars spent. Primary Care Collaborative is the only national multi-stakeholder organization focused on whole-person primary care. Primary Care Collaborative President & CEO Ann Greiner joins hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter to discuss better compensation and reimbursement for primary care clinicians and efforts to increase training, expanding access to community health centers, and opportunities for primary care to help... Read More Read More The post Better Primary Care: What Will It Take to Get the U.S. to Wake Up to the Need? appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

Experts praise community health workers as the keys to building a more equitable and fair health care system in America. Is there a way to unlock more success for hiring and retaining them? Dr. Shreya Kangovi thinks so; she developed the IMPaCT Care program, which is saving money and quickly growing. “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter talked to her about how it's a standardized, scalable program that transforms the effectiveness of the community health workforce by reimagining each step. To stream our Station live 24/7 visit www.HealthcareNOWRadio.com or ask your Smart Device to “….Play Healthcare NOW Radio”. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen

The diagnosis and treatment of Long COVID made many advancements in the past 12 months and “Conversations on Health Care” covered all of them. We've collected the most important insights from leading researchers and clinicians as this medical mystery continues. Join hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter as they highlight the perspectives of guests ranging from NIH researchers and patients, to the leader of the Mayo Clinic's COVID Activity Rehabilitation Program. To stream our Station live 24/7 visit www.HealthcareNOWRadio.com or ask your Smart Device to “….Play Healthcare NOW Radio”. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen

Originally broadcast on January 18, 2024 Experts praise community health workers as the keys to building a more equitable and fair health care system in America. Is there a way to unlock more success for hiring and retaining them? Dr. Shreya Kangovi thinks so; she developed the IMPaCT Care program, which is saving money and quickly growing. “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter talked to her about how it's a standardized, scalable program that transforms the... Read More Read More The post Helping Community Health Workers Succeed: Ideas From an Innovative Program appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

Our guests were looking for a book that told real-life stories about Latinas in nursing, but they couldn't find one. So they took the job upon themselves and wrote their own book, titled “Latinas in Nursing: Stories of Determination, Inspiration, and Trust.” The book is a compilation of the beautiful stories of the challenges, growth and discovery influential Latina nurses share about their journeys, including during the COVID pandemic. Right now, Hispanics make up 19% of the total U.S. population but only about 8% of registered nurses are Latina. Join us as Tina Loarte-Rodríguez and Zacnité Vargas-Avalos bring their book to life in conversation with hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter. To stream our Station live 24/7 visit www.HealthcareNOWRadio.com or ask your Smart Device to “….Play Healthcare NOW Radio”. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen

Originally broadcast on January 4, 2024 A new year brings hope for breakthroughs for our most complex health care issues. The leading thinkers have been sharing their perspectives with us. We've captured the highlights from our recent interviews covering vaccinations, abortion, mental health and all the top stories with hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter. Plus, we have important updates for 2024. Conversations on Health Care features in-depth discussions on health policy and innovation with industry newsmakers from around the... Read More Read More The post Are You Up to Date on Health Care Policy & Innovation as 2024 Kicks Off? We Can Help. appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (known as COP28) is underway and on Dec. 3 it will feature a “Day of Health.” This is the first time the world leaders on climate change will devote an entire day to how climate change is affecting our physical, mental and emotional health. Dr. Vanessa Kerry, the World Health Organization Director-General Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health, joined us with an overview of what to expect from the discussions, including ongoing efforts to reduce fossil fuels. In fact, new research shows using fossil fuels accounts for 5 million extra deaths a year worldwide. Dr. Kerry also shared with hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter how she helps her dad, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, understand the urgent need to protect human health as temperatures continue to rise. To stream our Station live 24/7 visit www.HealthcareNOWRadio.com or ask your Smart Device to “….Play Healthcare NOW Radio”. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen

Experienced health care executive Dr. Kyu Rhee, recently named as the president and CEO of the National Association of Community Health Centers, says member organizations are working on three big goals: Being the provider of choice, the employer of choice and the partner of choice. As he and NACHC members focus on these items, they're also nervously awaiting congressional action. In late September, Congress passed a short-term extension of funding for community health centers, National Health Services Corps and the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program. Without Congressional action, that money will expire on Nov. 17. Dr. Rhee says he sees bipartisan support for community health centers on Capitol Hill but the coming days will be critical as the funding hurdles become clearer. “Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter also discuss with Dr. Rhee workforce needs, value-based care and how centers are ready for the next pandemic, if and when it could occur. To stream our Station live 24/7 visit www.HealthcareNOWRadio.com or ask your Smart Device to “….Play Healthcare NOW Radio”. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen

Dr. Shereef Elnahal, the Under Secretary for Health in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, says their most important clinical care and public health issue right now is preventing veteran suicides. The data show that 17 vets a day die by suicide. Their work includes making sure vets know that the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline is available for them. He also explained that the VA has communicated to the U.S. Attorney General and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that his department is ready to conduct clinical trials using marijuana when and if the substance is reclassified as a less dangerous drug. Other topics discussed include why vets should sign up now for new benefits available through the PACT Act, how the VA performs on various metrics and the latest details about innovations they're bringing to the entire health care sector. Join hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter for this conversation as we prepare for National Veterans and Military Families Month, starting on November 1. To stream our Station live 24/7 visit www.HealthcareNOWRadio.com or ask your Smart Device to “….Play Healthcare NOW Radio”. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen

Lola Adedokun is executive director of the Aspen Global Innovators Group, which advances a portfolio of programs focused on health and prosperity in the U.S. and around the world. This work includes a focus on what she calls powerful women who are redesigning health systems to better meet the needs of families. Join hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter as Adedokun explains how local leaders are at the forefront of designing solutions that work for local populations. To stream our Station live 24/7 visit www.HealthcareNOWRadio.com or ask your Smart Device to “….Play Healthcare NOW Radio”. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen