The Gist Healthcare Podcast

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.

Although the center of excellence model has been around for years, it has been mainly used by mega-employers. San Francisco-based Carrum Health is making this more accessible to smaller companies through its digital marketplace that connects self-insured employers with a network of providers. This episode was originally published in September 2021. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the country struggles with a shortage of inpatient behavioral health beds and mental healthcare providers, health systems are increasingly turning to telepsychiatry to meet the need. Geoffrey Boyce, CEO of Array Behavioral Care, a 23-year-old telepsychiatry group, says that health systems are seeking more comprehensive behavioral health solutions across inpatient, virtual and home-based settings, but regulatory barriers are standing in the way of more widespread adoption.This episode was originally published in January 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Virginia-based Privia Health, one of a growing number of high-profile “physician enablement” firms that helps practices improve operations and transition to value-based care delivery, held its initial public offering last May. CEO Shawn Morris discusses how the company plans to grow. This episode was originally published in May 2021. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Janelle Lee, VP of Talent Services at St. Joseph, MO-based Mosaic Life Care, discusses strategies to bolster nurse retention during the COVID crisis. In addition to financial incentives, Mosaic is allowing shift flexibility and increasing training and support for first-year nurses. This episode was originally published in January 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Almost three-quarters of the nation's physicians are employed by health systems, insurers, or other corporate entities. A new study finds some cancer hospitals drastically mark up drug prices. And the CDC announces a new team to forecast outbreaks of the coronavirus and other diseases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most hospitals say keep your masks on. Health insurers in California oppose the state’s plan to give Kaiser a no-bid Medicaid contract. And hospitals call the proposed Medicare inpatient pay increase inadequate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Optum Health raises projections for growth in value-based care arrangements. Digital health funding slows after several consecutive quarters of record-breaking investment. And the Supreme Court decides not to hear a case challenging Medicaid work requirements. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A federal judge in Florida strikes down the federal mask mandate for planes, trains, and other public transit. Bright Health is fined by the Colorado Department of Insurance after it fails to complete basic health plan tasks. And a jury acquitted a former DaVita CEO of criminal charges related to no-poach agreements with competitors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CVS Health has moved quickly to build out its new clinical trial services unit since its launch, announcing a partnership with decentralized clinical trial software platform Medable and opening up research sites around the country. General Manager of CVS Clinical Trial Services Tony Clapsis discusses the unit's growth and plans to build a nationwide research network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new analysis finds that most nonprofit health systems spend less on community benefits than the value of their tax breaks. Nurse Practitioners will be able to practice independently in New York. And in Illinois, there's a fight between a private equity-backed physician group seeking to build a new hospital and a local health system.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The White House announces plans to tackle medical debt by probing providers' billing and collection practices. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services advances plans to establish staffing requirements at nursing homes. And healthcare workers at several health systems in California authorize strikes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hospital deal activity slowed in the first quarter of this year. Refurbished medical equipment helps fill gaps in supply. And the City of Philadelphia and several universities reinstate mask requirements as COVID cases rise in half of states. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Walgreens provides opens dozens of Health Corners to provide more in-store care. Medicare limits coverage of the new Alzheimer’s drug to participants in clinical trials. And a National Academy of Sciences report calls for action on reforming the country’s broken nursing home care system. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UnitedHealth Group's Optum makes a play to buy a large Houston area multispecialty group. Millions have left their jobs to care for aging family members. And an FDA advisory panel discusses the agency's COVID booster strategy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Walmart opens five health clinics in Florida. President Biden announces plans to fix the family glitch. And Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Healthcare and Broomfield, Colorado-based SCL Health officially complete their merger. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Senators reach a $10B COVID funding compromise. Medicare is now covering over-the-counter covid tests. And funding for virtual behavioral health tools geared towards kids takes off.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the last few years, momentum has been growing to repeal Certificate of Need (CON) laws, currently in effect in 35 states. In this episode Matthew Mitchell, Senior Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University discusses the catalysts and effects of CON reform.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An alarming number of primary care doctors say they are planning to leave practice. States are expanding pharmacists' role in patient care. And despite new surprise billing protections, patients are still concerned about the bills according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation survey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Biden presses Congress to authorize more COVID relief funding after receiving his second booster on live television. Physicians continue to leave HCA Healthcare-owned Mission Health in Western North Carolina. And amid medical supply shortages, people with chronic illnesses struggle to get equipment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UnitedHealth Group’s health services unit, Optum, announced plans to buy the home health, hospice, and long-term acute care hospital company LHC Group for $5.4B. The Food and Drug Administration expands authorization of fourth shots of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccines for adults 50 and older. And rising supply and labor costs combined with people returning for delayed care are expected to increase healthcare spending this year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Tennessee nurse is convicted of negligent homicide after a fatal medication error. Cleveland Clinic’s new 184-bed London hospital will start seeing new patients as early as this week. And 16 drugmakers are now limiting discounts to safety-net hospitals in the 340B program. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Six large health systems recently announced the launch of Evolve Health Alliance, a new collaboration to address workforce challenges and share insights from their respective systems. In this episode, Matt Kurth, Deputy Chief People Officer at Northwell Health, one of the alliance’s founding members, will discuss how the partner systems plan to work together.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new study builds on evidence of a link between covid infection and diabetes. States raise penalties for threats of violence against healthcare workers. And healthcare data breaches reached an all-time high in 2021. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Moderna plans to ask regulators to greenlight its COVID vaccine for kids six months to under six years old. Contributing to hospitals filling nursing vacancies, state nursing boards are slow to approve new licenses. And new sickle-cell gene therapies are showing promising results, the next struggle will be getting patients to accept them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The criminal trial of a Tennessee nurse who committed a fatal medication error begins. Starting next month hospitals will no longer be reimbursed for caring for uninsured COVID-19 patients. And hospitals and states renew scrutiny on rising hospital prices. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The three largest credit companies are changing how they report medical debt. Fresenius, InterWell Health, and Cricket Health create a new kidney care company. And health officials expect COVID cases of the omicron sub-variant to start rising. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.