The Gist Healthcare Podcast

It’s been almost a decade since the biggest reform of the American healthcare system in recent times - the Affordable Care Act. The law started to change how we pay for healthcare with the goal of increasing the value of patient outcomes. On this special episode of Gist Healthcare Daily, we talk to Dr. Farzad Mostashari about how the transition is going. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You can now buy a bundle of groceries and health services at Sam’s Club. CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina resigned after details of a drunk driving incident surfaced. The Senate votes to delay cuts to hospitals that treat a lot of Medicaid patients. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Memphis hospital wipes out medical debt for thousands of patients. Kaiser Permanente employees call off a strike after reaching a tentative deal. Employers are spending as much on healthcare as an economy car. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amazon launches a virtual clinic for employees. A merger between two Blue Cross insurers is on hold after a DUI arrest. Indiana residents are suing to block Medicaid work requirements. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The new formula for disproportionate share payments was finalized Monday. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders revealed his plan to forgive billions of dollars in medical debt. An antitrust expert breaks down some of the arguments in the Sutter Health antitrust case. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jury selection begins in an antitrust lawsuit against California-based Sutter Health. North Carolina’s Medicaid contracting process is being challenged. And for our special Weekly Gist feature, we have something on the nonhealthcare beat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi revealed her plan to lower prescription drug prices. Another Democratic presidential candidate has another version on Medicare for all who want it. A plea for beer money leads to tens of thousands in donations to a children’s hospital. All that and more coming up on Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a win for hospitals, it appears Congress will use a temporary funding measure to again delay cuts to a program that helps facilities who treat the sickest and poorest patients. Insurers and providers are pointing fingers about who’s to blame for rising healthcare costs. Bankers to go Walmart to check out the new health clinics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tennessee is the first state seeking federal permission to change how it runs its Medicaid program. A federal judge says Medicare overreached when it reduced payment for off-campus clinics. Short-term health insurance plans are becoming more popular under the Trump Administration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Congress is investigating the private equity firms behind the anti-surprise billing ads. Purdue Pharma is trying to get all of the state attorneys general who sued to accept the settlement. A medication for peanut allergies gets FDA support. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Purdue Pharma has filed for bankruptcy. And for the third time in almost two years, doctors are leaving a local hospital to join an independent practice in Charlotte, North Carolina. But to do this the physicians need to get out of their non competes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thursday night’s Democratic primary debate showed divisions within the Medicare-for-all discussion. The government is challenging a court decision allowing a hospital to sell residency slots. Amazon’s online pharmacy company gets dealt a blow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Walmart is making a big move into healthcare, saying new clinics are the ‘crown jewel’ of the plans. Along with its new watch, Apple announced three new health research studies. The government has a warning for hospitals that still operate on fee-for-service. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More people went to emergency departments in states that expanded Medicaid. About 20 percent more according to a new study. This is antithetical to the idea that with coverage you can do to the doctor instead of the hospital. But it isn’t quite that simple. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One study finds administering certain medicines outside of the hospital could save insurance plans $4 billion a year. The Trump administration is considering a proposal that includes monitoring behavior of people with mental illness to predict violence. A Senate bill includes more funding for the National Institutes of Health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Optum is combining its data and care delivery businesses. The government is trying to a new approach to catch Medicare and Medicaid fraud before it happens. The infamous graphic showing the astronomical growth of administrators in healthcare is wrong. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A federal judge approved a hospital sale of hundreds of residency spots. A contract dispute between an insurer and physician staffing company over reimbursement rates could impact 18 states. And people are turning to Groupon to afford CT scans and mammograms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone agrees, hospital mergers have been happening more frequently. Whether it’s good for patients and reduces prices garners less consensus. The American Hospital Association is out with a study saying mergers reduce costs, but academics are critical of those findings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders wants to make billions of dollars of medical debt disappear for Americans. Walmart is bringing everyday low prices to medical care. Insurers aren’t happy about a new type of Medicare Advantage audit estimated to save as much as $1 billion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the number of independent medical practices is shrinking, two companies in California are teaming up to try and help. Consolidation in the insurance industry continues with two Michigan insurers merging. With open enrollment six weeks away, Louisiana still hasn’t finalized Medicaid contracts because of an ongoing dispute. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A favorite Bernie Sanders statistic about Americans going bankrupt because medical bills is not accurate. California lawmakers are targeting one hospital system with transparency legislation. And Medicare has been paying twice for some of the same drugs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a new ad tied to his healthcare plan, Vice President Joe Biden, talks about his family's medical struggles. NBC reports the family who owns Purdue Pharma is offering a settlement to several opioid lawsuits. Medicare unveils a new online shopping tool ahead of open enrollment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An Oklahoma judge ruled Johnson & Johnson has to pay $572 million dollars for its part in fueling the opioid crisis. Doctors’ groups, including some backed by private equity firms, are pouring money into ads opposing surprise billing legislation. In addition to its public charge rule, the Trump administration sent states guidance about including a sponsor when considering an immigrant’s Medicaid eligibility. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing Gist Healthcare Daily - the weekday health policy and business news podcast from Gist Healthcare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.