The Gist Healthcare Podcast

On today's episode of Gist Healthcare Daily, The COVID-19 vaccine from Novavax finally gets the green light for adults. Rural hospitals are skeptical of a new plan meant to help them keep their doors open. And there's been a flurry of federal action to protect reproductive healthcare access this week, with the latest action targeting pharmacists. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of Gist Healthcare Daily, hospitals push back on a new city of Los Angeles-mandated 25-dollar healthcare worker minimum wage. During covid, superbugs have thrived. And it costs almost $19,000 on average to have a baby in the US. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The White House wants to expand booster shot eligibility to all Americans. Health officials tell hospitals that the federal emergency care law preempts state abortion laws. And this weekend the country’s national mental health hotline, 988, is set to launch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

California plans to make its own insulin. Despite new protections, patients are still getting surprise bills. And Medicare announces changes to the shared savings program. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we bring you a conversation with Dan Mendelson, CEO of Morgan Health. Dan discusses recent investments in Vera Whole Health and Embold Health, an upcoming primary care pilot in Columbus, Ohio, and areas the venture is looking to invest in next.This episode was originally published in April. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vaccine makers are tossing tens of millions of doses in the trash as demand plummets. A new wrinkle in the battle between e-cig maker Juul and the FDA. And how substandard hospital gowns are leaving healthcare workers vulnerable to infection. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Senate Democrats reach a deal on legislation to lower drug prices. Insurers are reportedly considering acquisitions of primary care companies. And pharmacists can now prescribe Paxlovid. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a bid to keep rural hospitals open, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services proposes some can apply for a new status that allows them only to provide outpatient care. Insurers selling coverage on the Affordable Care Act exchanges denied 18 percent of in-network claims in 2020. And a federal judge finds drug distributors aren’t liable for the opioid crisis in West Virginia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s insurers’ and employers’ turn to be transparent about healthcare prices. Democrats are scrambling to extend discounted insurance premiums before midterms. And the federal government launches a targeted vaccine campaign to contain the monkeypox outbreak. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A panel of experts recommends updated COVID vaccine boosters with protection against Omicron variants. Medicare unveils the next iteration of its oncology payment model. And cancer patients say they’re bombarded with ads for unproven treatments on Facebook. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode, we have a wrap-up of the recent healthcare-related Supreme Court decisions. The federal government is reminding insurers that they are required to cover contraceptives, and retail pharmacies are limiting purchases of Plan B pills.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Providers report confusion after Friday’s Supreme Court ruling overturning Americans’ constitutional right to abortion. Colorado gets federal dollars to implement a public insurance option. And younger nurses are leaving the workforce, driving healthcare workforce shortages. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, two groups of hospital-employed physicians in Oregon filed to join a union this month. In this episode, we hear from some of those doctors, as well as Mollie Skov-Ortega, MD, president of a long-standing hospitalist union. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Deloitte analysis highlights the shocking cost of healthcare inequality. Americans are looking to Canada for hope in the fight against ALS. And a new report from North Carolina details how unevenly COVID relief funds were distributed to hospital systems. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the absence of stronger federal consumer protections for medical debt, states consider new measures. The Markup's investigation reveals that dozens of hospitals inadvertently allowed Facebook to obtain patient information through an embedded tracking tool on their websites. And another hospital deal bites the dust. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new study finds Medicare could save $3.6B if it bought generic drugs through Mark Cuban’s new pharmacy. Walgreens launches its new clinical trial business. And home health providers are unhappy with Medicare’s planned rate cut. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Nigel Ohrenstein, president of the digital musculoskeletal startup Kaia Health says he expects that digital physical therapy will become the default form of physical therapy in the future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The FTC is investigating whether Cerebral used deceptive business practices to market its mental health services. Kaiser Health News reports on the quick downfall of two Missouri hospitals purchased by a private equity-backed firm. And hospitals are facing new competition for employees - Amazon. A Gist Healthcare, analysis finds more than a quarter of hospital workers are working jobs that pay a lower median wage than Amazon warehouses. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Supreme Court sided with hospitals in a dispute about Medicare reimbursement for medications acquired through the 340B discount program. The FDA’s panel of vaccine experts recommends the agency greenlight covid shots for the youngest kids. And New Jersey RWJBarnabas Health abandons plans to acquire Saint Peter's Healthcare after the FTC challenged the deal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 The AMA takes its strongest stance on reproductive rights during its annual meeting this week. Democrats are urging federal lawmakers to extend insurance subsidies. And HCA Healthcare expands its nursing school with a new campus in NC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arnold Ventures is funding the latest spate of consumer and employer lawsuits against hospitals for using market power to raise prices. The CDC lifts the covid testing requirement for international travelers. And the FTC asks UnitedHealth Group for more info about its bid to buy LHC Group.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we hear from Vijay Yanamadala, MD, a neurosurgeon at Hartford HealthCare and Chief Medical Officer of virtual physical therapy company SWORD Health who estimates at the majority of patients referred for physical therapy could benefit from receiving support virtually.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first hospitals are fined for not complying with price transparency rules. The White House announces plans to distribute COVID vaccines for kids under 5. And an overview of what policies are at risk when the federal public health emergency ends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Federal Trade Commission launches a probe into Pharmacy Benefit Managers. Oracle completes its $28.4B acquisition of Cerner. And mental health carve-outs can complicate physicians’ ability to provide mental health care. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nearly three-quarters of nursing homes are concerned about closure. Startup digital health companies announce layoffs. And the FTC sues to block two hospital mergers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we’ll hear from Laura Kwako, PhD, a clinical psychologist at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), and Katharine Bradley, MD, a senior investigator at the Kaiser Washington Health Research Institute. The NIAAA just released a Core Resource on Alcohol for healthcare professionals to help providers screen and treat patients for alcohol use disorder, as addiction and alcohol-related deaths have spiked during the pandemic.  Check out the NIAAA's Core Resource at niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two physician groups in Oregon announce plans to unionize. And in a first, a woman receives a 3-D printed ear implant made of her own cells. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a horrific attack, a former patient kills his physician and at least three others at a Tulsa hospital building. Pfizer and BioNTech ask the FDA to approve its COVID vaccine for kids under 5. And UnitedHealth's Optum is reportedly acquiring another Texas medical group. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Miami, Florida-based CareMax, a value-based care company, is acquiring Dallas-based Steward Health Care System’s Medicare value-based care business. In response to the recent mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York, Kaiser Permanente is establishing a Center for Gun Violence Research and Education. And a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine finds pulse oximetry devices, which are less accurate at measuring blood oxygen levels in patients of color, may have led to delayed covid care. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CVS launches a virtual primary care service for Aetna and Caremark members. Medicare Part B premiums will stay flat, despite the agency’s decision to limit coverage of controversial and expensive Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm to beneficiaries in clinical trials. And the American Medical Association opposes a bill that would require training on opioid use disorder treatment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final episode in our series about healthcare platforms, we’ll hear from Seth Joseph, managing director at consulting firm Summit Health. Despite the common perception that platform businesses are overnight success stories, he says actually been a slower road for most to gain traction and realize growth. This episode was originally published in March 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the third episode in our series on the growing popularity of the platform strategy, we hear from Derek Streat, CEO of health tech company DexCare. The Providence spinout is now offering its digital operating system to other health systems to help connect point solutions.This episode was originally published in March 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second episode of our platform series, Gist Healthcare co-founders Chas Roades and Lisa Bielamowicz, MD discuss how health systems are vertically integrating to create care ecosystems to build consumer loyalty and fend off competition from disruptors.This episode was originally published in February 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is the first in a four-part series on the growing popularity of the “platform” business model in healthcare, and what it might mean for the industry. In this episode we hear from consultants Vince Kuraitis and Dr. Randy Williams, who advise healthcare companies on platform strategy, about the current state of the market.This episode was originally published in February 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Experts are stumped about a recent pediatric hepatitis outbreak. The FDA tries to redefine the word “healthy” as it considers adding a new label to food that meets federal dietary guidelines. And long-lasting injectable drugs can help treat addiction and mental illness— but the price tag is steep. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The formula shortage lands two children in the hospital. The insurance industry calls for more transparency on private equity healthcare deals. And states pass laws preventing how hospitals can alter visitor policies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Humana expands its senior-focused primary care clinics through a new joint venture with a private equity firm. Kaiser Health News reports state and local health departments are slow to spend federal COVID relief dollars aimed at reducing health disparities. And the FDA approves the first at-home test for multiple respiratory viruses. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Biden Administration plans to extend the public health emergency this week. The Tennessee nurse convicted of negligent homicide for a fatal medication error is sentenced to three years’ probation. And federal and state scrutiny of non-compete agreements increases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we hear from Elaine Batchlor, MD, CEO of MLK Community Healthcare and the systems flagship hospital MLK Community Hospital in South Los Angeles. She discusses the challenges the safety net hospital is facing as it emerges from the COVID pandemic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Justice Department is investigating mental health startup Cerebral for violations of the controlled substances act. Pandemic delays in cancer screenings are leading to patients with more advanced disease. And drug overdose hit a record high of nearly 108,000 in 2021. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

North Carolina-based Atrium Health announced plans to merge with Midwest behemoth Advocate Aurora Health. There’s a shortage of a key dye used in healthcare imaging, leading some systems to limit scans to emergency patients. And the days of travel nurses making $10,000 a week are dwindling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Healthcare workers strike and join unions across California. Attempts to repeal South Carolina’s certificate of need law stall out. And loss of pandemic aid hurts safety-net hospitals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As labor costs rise, hospitals turn to insurers for rate increases. White House officials are forecasting another large covid surge this winter. And Banner Health doubles down on plans to grow its ambulatory surgery center footprint with an investment in Atlas Healthcare Partners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores the drivers of private equity’s growing interest in cardiology practices in a conversation with consultant Anthony D’Eredita, Founder and CEO of TrustWorks Collective, and Dan Blumenthal, MD, CEO of PE-backed cardiovascular care delivery platform Novocardia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hospitals are taking a bigger financial hit as the number of drugmakers restricting 340b discounts doubles. A record nearly 36 million people have insurance through Affordable Care Act coverage pathways. And more than two years later hospital volumes still haven’t returned to pre-pandemic levels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The FDA says there’s "no evidence" that doubling an individual’s dose of Paxlovid will reduce the return of COVID symptoms. Mental health telemedicine company Cerebral stops prescribing Adderall to new patients as the company faces increasing scrutiny for its marketing and prescribing practices. And a Health Affairs study finds several physicians in insurers’ Medicaid networks aren’t seeing patients. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If the leaked Supreme Court abortion decision is finalized, medical training for the procedure could become limited for nearly half of obstetrics and gynecology residents. In Illinois, a private equity-backed physician group gets state approval to build a hospital in Quincy. And after Medicare’s decision to restrict coverage of Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm, Biogen searches for a new CEO. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Officials are looking into growing reports of the so-called Paxlovid rebound. Medicare Advantage plans are denying care and payment that traditional Medicare covers. And health officials say it’s unlikely COVID or the vaccine is related to the mysterious hepatitis cases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Houston-based Memorial Hermann Health System embarked on a plan to reorganize the system around service lines a little over two years ago. In this episode, the two senior vice presidents of service lines who led the effort, Kyle Price and Heath Rushing, discuss how the system shifted from being organized around hospitals to instead being organized around product lines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Concert Health CEO Spencer Hutchins discusses how the San Diego-based behavioral health medical group works in tandem with primary care providers to treat patients with behavioral health needs. This episode was originally published in May 2021. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.