The Gist Healthcare Podcast

Democrats propose bigger tax credits to make individual health coverage more affordable as part of the COVID relief package. Since COVID-19 vaccines have been so effective, some scientists are pushing for a pancoronavirus vaccine. And providers raise concerns about virtual care post-pandemic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

South Africa halts the distribution of the AstraZeneca COVID vaccine because of concerns it doesn't offer good protection against a variant, first identified in the country. Health insurance startup Oscar Health files to go public. And there have been almost no flu cases this year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Co-founder and CEO of DispatchHealth Dr. Mark Prather discusses how the Denver-based company is expanding from its roots in on-demand urgent care home visits to provide home-based services across the full continuum of care, including hospital-level care through a new partnership with Humana. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Johnson and Johnson is seeking emergency approval for its single-dose covid vaccine. There’s new reporting about who’s the top choice to run CMS. And Kansas wants to use revenue from medical marijuana to expand Medicaid. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some insurers are paying pediatricians so little for rapid covid tests, some stopped offering them. British health officials are going door-to-door testing thousands to stamp out a coronavirus variant. And Manaus, Brazil is struggling with a COVID surge and a shortage of oxygen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Senate Democrats take the first step to move President Biden’s coronavirus relief bill forward. Independent scientists confirm Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine is more than 90 percent effective. And despite treating fewer patients, HCA Healthcare reports big profits in 2020. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hospital programs to treat COVID long haulers grow as scientists try to figure out what’s causing prolonged illness. States are dumping a vaccine software the government spent millions on. And Uber is expanding its prescription delivery service. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are airing an episode from the health policy podcast Tradeoffs titled “We Need You”. Nursing home workers and residents have been prioritized for COVID-19 vaccinations because of how deadly the pandemic for both staff and residents. But in the first several weeks of the rollout, many workers have passed on getting the injection. The Tradeoffs team dug into vaccine hesitancy among nursing home staff—and found deep, longstanding challenges that extend well beyond the decision to take the COVID-19 shot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Biden takes more action to roll back Trump’s healthcare moves. People trying to get COVID-19 vaccines in many states struggle to get an appointment. And more non-smokers are getting lung cancer, we highlight a report from one of the disease victims. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Walgreens Boots Alliance has chosen Starbucks Chief Operating Officer Rosalind Brewer to take over as CEO. President Joe Biden is expected to take more healthcare executive actions to expand insurance coverage. And Anthem reports continued Medicare Advantage growth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Biden is giving states more vaccines and more time to plan. Israel is leading the world in COVID-19 vaccinations. And healthcare workers report the pandemic is taking a toll on their mental health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Google, Amazon, and other large companies are offering help with COVID-19 vaccine distribution. As more transmissible coronavirus variants are identified in the US, vaccine makers are working to catch up. And President Biden says he’s willing to negotiate on the $1.9 trillion relief proposal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Price transparency and interoperability rules are continuing to make healthcare more consumer-driven. Kristen Valdes, founder and CEO of healthcare technology company b.well Connected Health and Board Member of the CARIN Alliance, believes the industry is shifting toward consumerism and early adopters of transparency will gain patient loyalty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exactly a year ago this week, the first case of the novel coronavirus was confirmed in the US. Since then there have been more than 24 million cases and more than 400,000 deaths. One year later, President Biden laid out a new detailed, fortified response guided by science. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During President Biden’s first few hours in office, he took several COVID-19 actions, including a mask mandate on federal property and rejoining the World Health Organization. UnitedHealth Group is continuing to grow its care delivery business. And coronavirus vaccine trials in kids have started but are struggling to recruit participants. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The country has reached another terrible milestone - 400 thousand lives lost to COVID-19. Lawmakers say the last minute attempt to extend Medicaid waivers is invalid. And President-elect Biden fills out his healthcare team and is expected to take immediate action on COVID. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amidst all the health news in 2020, a new defined contribution model started. The Individual Health Coverage Reimbursement Arrangement or ICHRA - is projected to shake up employer insurance and double the size of the individual market. Jack Hooper, CEO of Take Command Health discusses how small and large employers are expressing interest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President-elect Biden unveils his coronavirus relief proposal which includes injecting billions into the coronavirus vaccination effort. Democrats want to revive legislation to let Medicare negotiate drug prices. And payers and startups are seizing on the popularity of telehealth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Healthcare companies are joining the wave of corporations pausing political donations. Scientists say the coronavirus is likely here to stay. And billionaire Mark Cuban enters the generic drug market. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The federal government announces sweeping changes to speed up vaccinations amid the deadly covid surge. West Virginia is one of the few states with the smoothest vaccine rollout to date. And the pace of provider mergers and acquisitions is likely to pick up in 2021 after health systems and physician groups took big financial last year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some within the transition are concerned about meeting Biden's 100 million vaccines in Biden’s first 100 days goal. CMS approves the first block grant for Tennesee's Medicaid program. And the doctor leading the health equity task force says we need to address not only access to testing and vaccines, but also social and financial challenges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first conversation of the year Gist Healthcare co-founders Chas Roades and Lisa Bielamowicz discuss the healthcare trends they're watching in 2021, including the coronavirus vaccine rollout, the healthcare policy agenda, and whether patient volumes will return to pre-pandemic levels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Fauci says the already bad COVID situation is going to get worse this month. A contract dispute leaves thousands of doctors out of network and surprise billing protections don’t start till next year. And healthcare jobs are returning slower for women than men. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hospitals now have to publish previously secret prices negotiated with insurers. A study finds COVID cases and deaths are much higher than reported. Emergency departments have seen big drops in patients since the start of the pandemic, some of which may be due to positive lifestyle changes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The COVID vaccine rollout is slow, plagued with confusion, and way behind schedule. After three years the Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JP Morgan Chase joint venture, Haven, shutters. And control of the Senate and Biden’s healthcare agenda rests with Georgia’s runoff races. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The pandemic is causing women to leave the workforce at higher rates than men, leading some to call this economic downturn the 'shecession'. Dr. Neelum Aggarwal, a cognitive neurologist at Rush University Medical Center and the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at the American Medical Women's Association discusses how this pullback is impacting female physicians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Walmart Health Centers are springing up outside of Atlanta, GA, and providing "everyday low prices" for comprehensive primary care. In Georgia, some local providers are surprisingly welcoming of the new offering. This episode is a rerun and was initially published in October. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Founder and CEO of Remedy Dr. Jeremy Gabrysch said the immediate care and telemedicine startup was well-positioned to deliver care in the wake of COVID-19, providing care digitally or in patients’ homes. This episode is a rerun and was initially published in May. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Travis Messina, CEO of hospital-at-home company Contessa, talks about the growing popularity of the model, the challenges of building a program, and the culture shift it requires. He compares the hospital-at-home model’s potential to that of early ambulatory surgery centers, which performed only a handful of procedures until Medicare expanded coverage and reimbursement. This episode is a rerun and was initially published in August. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Medically Home co-founder and CEO Raphael Rakowski and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pippa Shulman discuss hospital-at-home care, which has become increasingly popular during the coronavirus pandemic. This episode is a rerun and was initially published in June. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Rushika Fernandopulle, co-founder and CEO of the value-based primary care organization Iora Health discusses how COVID led practices to reorganize around the patient, instead of the physical office. This episode is a rerun and was initially published in September. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hands-on clinical experience is a key part of training for nurses. But the pandemic has led many facilities to halt in-person clinical rotations to preserve medical supplies and ensure student and patient safety. Howard University nursing students say the lack of in-person training is leaving them feeling unprepared to enter the workforce. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Jeffrey Stalnaker, Chief Clinical Officer of Rockledge, FL-based Health First, discusses monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID patients, and why uptake has been disappointingly low. Stalnaker also shares his thoughts on vaccine rollout and adoption by health system employees. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An FDA panel recommends the agency approve Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use. And despite pandemic uncertainty, private equity and venture capital deals in healthcare were strong in the third quarter. Dr. Charles Kennedy, CEO of private equity firm Blue Ox Healthcare Partners, expects strong investment in the digital health space to continue into next year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Newly released emails from a scientific advisor to the Department of Health and Human Services, show he was pushing a herd immunity strategy for the coronavirus. Pfizer is negotiating a deal with the US government to provide more vaccine doses. And gene-editing technology known as CRISPR is showing promise as a potential cure for sickle-cell anemia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Food and Drug Administration says Moderna’s vaccine candidate is 94 percent effective. Lawmakers revive a surprise billing fix as part of the year-end spending bill. And newly authorized at-home COVID testing kits could make testing much more convenient. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first COVID-19 vaccine doses are being given across the US. Today’s the last day for people to buy a plan on healthcare.gov. And a Wall Street Journal editorial about Jill Biden’s doctorate drew swift criticism as a sexist attack on her credentials. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As COVID patients flood hospitals in several parts of the country, hospitals turn to healthcare staffing firms to find critical care nurses. Buffy White, Group President of healthcare staffing firm Cross Country Healthcare discusses how volatile demand for healthcare workers, especially nurses has only exacerbated shortages. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An FDA advisory panel recommends the agency give emergency authorization to the Pfizer and BioNTech COVID vaccine. After a Series C funding round, Cityblock Health is now valued at more than $1 billion. And the Supreme Court upholds an Arkansas law regulating pharmacy middlemen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the country reaches a record of more than 106,000 COVID hospitalizations, some hospital leaders say they're close to reaching crisis standards of care. And one pharmaceutical company is working to bring back a drug for hemophilia patients. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first covid shots are given in the United Kingdom. Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccine offers some immunity after the first dose. And Sweden ends its COVID experiment and imposes restrictions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first COVID-19 vaccinations are starting in the United Kingdom. President-elect Biden picked California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and infectious disease specialist Dr. Rochelle Walensky to lead two of the nation's top health agencies. Sanford Health halts merger discussions with Intermountain Healthcare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Christopher Crow, CEO of Plano, TX-based Catalyst Health Network, an independent clinically integrated network, discusses how the pandemic-induced recession is accelerating employer and insurer interest in changing the way they pay for care. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To boost COVID vaccine participation three former presidents say they’ll get the immunization on camera. States and hospitals are pulling nursing students forward to help with COVID-19 care. And President-elect Biden asks Dr. Anthony Fauci to join his administration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The United Kingdom approves Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine. 2020 Healthcare spending dropped by about 2 percent from last year. And Medicare is out with final rules that expand telehealth, adjust physician pay, and allow more procedures to be done in outpatient settings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A CDC vaccine panel recommends healthcare workers and residents in long term care facilities get the first COVID-19 vaccines. States are taking a more nuanced approach to halting elective care amid the COVID surge. And despite COVID headwinds UnitedHealth Goup still expects growth next year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Moderna becomes the second company to ask the FDA for emergency approval of a COVID-19 vaccine. And the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services expands its 'Hospital Without Walls' program to pay for hospital-level care in the home. As Travis Messina, CEO of hospital-at-home company Contessa, says staff will still be the limiting factor for how much hospitals can increase bed capacity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Privia Health's Senior Vice President of Business Development, Mike Flammini, discusses how the company is now working with health systems to create a new model for physician alignment. And Drew Rector, Chief Strategy Officer of Rockledge, Florida-based Health First, one of the health systems Privia is working with, discusses how the partnership is helping the system grow its physician network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The CDC is recommending American's stay home for Thanksgiving to prevent the spread of COVID-19. President-elect Biden says delaying the transition during a pandemic is going to cost lives. And the WHO recommends against using an FDA approved COVID treatment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pfizer reports its vaccine is 95 percent effective and plans to apply for emergency FDA approval within days. With high rates of infection across several states, more than a fifth of hospitals are reporting staffing shortages. And in today's COVID Audio Postcard, a contact tracer tells us she’s finding more cases of entire families being infected. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.