The Gist Healthcare Podcast

The Supreme Court hears arguments in a case challenging a core part of the Affordable Care Act. Arkansas implements a first-in-the-nation law banning pharmacy benefit managers from owning pharmacies. And, Eli Lilly announces a new oral GLP-1 drug that was successful in lowering blood sugar and weight loss. Those stories and more coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A leaked document shows the extent of proposed cuts coming to the Department of Health and Human Services. UnitedHealth Group had its worst day on the market in decade after it announced disappointing first quarter results. And, Cone Health has purchased Novant Health's ownership interest in their joint Medicare Advantage business. We get those stories and more coming up on today's episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Medicare proposes a 2.4% pay increase for inpatient hospitals next year. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will end some federal Medicaid spending for state programs. And, the ongoing merger between UnitedHealth Group and home health company Amedisys heads to mediation with the Department of Justice. Those stories and more coming up on today's episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A federal watchdog advises the Department of Health and Human Services to create a plan to deal with drug shortages. A new survey finds broad political support for Medicaid among voters. And a federal judge permanently bars the National Institutes of Health from imposing caps on indirect research costs. Those stories coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Congress has passed a budget blueprint that could mean big federal spending cuts for healthcare. President Trump says big tariffs are coming for foreign made pharmaceuticals. And, Idaho becomes the first state in the country to ban vaccine mandates in businesses and schools. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A second child has died of a measles-related medical complication in Texas, as the number of cases continues to grow nationwide. The Trump Administration reverses a Biden-era proposal that would have allowed Medicare to cover blockbuster GLP-1 drugs for weight loss.  And, a federal judge temporarily blocks $11 billion in public health funding cuts to states. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cybersecurity remains a top concern for many healthcare organizations as attacks continue to increase. On today’s Monday episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast, we hear the second part of host J. Carlisle Larsen’s conversation with Christian Dameff, MD, emergency physician and Co-Director of the University of California-San Diego’s Center for Healthcare Cybersecurity, about takeaways from last year’s cyberattack on the Change Healthcare clearinghouse and how proposed federal legislation regarding healthcare cybersecurity could impact hospitals, especially in rural areas.   You can listen to the first half of the conversation here.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Federal Trade Commission has paused its suit against the nation’s biggest pharmacy benefit managers. States sue the Trump Administration after it abruptly cuts $11 billion in funding for public health initiatives.  And, Eli Lilly says it is not affiliated with Hims & Hers after the telehealth company announces it will sell the drugmaker’s popular weight loss drug Zepbound. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services begin. The Food and Drug Administration’s top vaccine official resigns, causing share prices of biotech companies to falter. And, Utah becomes the first state to ban fluoride in drinking water. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The healthcare industry remains the most targeted sector for cyberattacks in the United States. Last year had the dubious distinction of having the most patient records exposed in a year at more than 276 million. It also had the largest healthcare cyberattack on record, when UnitedHealth Group’s Change Healthcare was hacked in February. Though we know that hospitals, vendors, and related organizations are particularly vulnerable to attacks, it’s been difficult to fully secure them.   Christian Dameff, MD, emergency physician and Co-Director of the University of California-San Diego’s Center for Healthcare Cybersecurity, joins host J. Carlisle Larsen to talk more about challenges facing the industry and some common misconceptions about the motivations behind these attacks.   This is a two-part episode. The second half of their conversation will air on Monday, April 7.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Department of Health and Human Services will lay off more than 10-thousand employees in the Trump Administration’s latest push to streamline federal agencies. The Senate confirms President Trump’s nominees to lead the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration. And, the FBI says it has not found a credible terrorist threat against the nation’s hospitals. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Trump nominates acting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Susan Monarez for the permanent role. Cigna finalizes the sale of its Medicare Advantage business in a multibillion dollar deal. And, a new survey finds that a sizeable number of healthcare leaders plan to leave their organizations within the year. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The White House has pulled its pick to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hours before he was to appear for his confirmation hearing in front of the Senate HELP committee. UnitedHealth Group is the first major insurer to add a new non-opioid painkiller to its formulary. And, a new study finds that women paid nearly $9 billion more for prescription drugs than men last year. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Trump Administration proposes a new rule that would roll back certain Biden-era flexibilities that allowed more people to enroll in Affordable Care Act plans on the exchanges. Nearly 750 rural hospitals face closure nationwide due to financial problems, according to new data. And, Americans borrowed an estimated $74 billion for medical bills last year. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Walgreens officially will go private in a $10 billion deal with private equity firm Sycamore Partners after months of speculation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is on the ground in Texas as the measles outbreak continues to grow.  And, Novo Nordisk drops the price of its popular weight loss drug after a similar move from rival drugmaker Eli Lilly. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Trump’s pick to lead the National Institutes of Health faced his first Senate Committee hearing this week. UnitedHealthcare announces it will cut its prior authorizations by 10 percent for certain services.  And, the nonprofit Coalition for Health AI has released details of its long-awaited AI model card registry. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US Department of Health and Human Services scales back a decades-old policy that allows for public comment on healthcare regulations. President Trump issues an executive order on hospital price transparency. And, a new study finds that Black and Hispanic mothers bear the brunt of high maternity care costs. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

House Republicans passed a budget blueprint last Tuesday that includes around $2 trillion in federal spending cuts. That plan includes $880 billion in spending cuts from programs that are overseen by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, a majority of which are anticipated to come from the Medicaid program. Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH, President and CEO of America’s Essential Hospitals, joins host J. Carlisle Larsen to talk about how those expected cuts could impact safety net hospitals nationwide. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawmakers call on the Department of Veterans Affairs to clarify the expected budget for its large-scale electronic health record modernization project.  A Texas child dies from a measles infection – the first death from the virus in the United States in a decade.  And, Eli Lilly announces plans to invest billions in new United States-based manufacturing plants. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Department of Justice is reportedly investigating UnitedHealth Group over its Medicare Advantage billing practices. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cancels—indefinitely—a meeting of vaccine advisors . And, fatal drug overdoses are down nationwide. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Budget Committee Republicans have tasked the Energy and Commerce Committee with finding $880 billion in cuts to federal healthcare spending. Though the committee has jurisdiction over many programs, it notably oversees Medicare Part B and Medicaid spending. Matthew Fiedler, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, joins host J. Carlisle Larsen to talk about the news and why most of those potential spending cuts could come from Medicaid.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Biden-era merger guidelines jointly established by the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice remain in place for now.  A new study finds that the United States could face a critical hospital bed shortage within the decade. And, the number of measles cases in Texas continues to grow. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Trump Administration to lays off thousands of the Department of Health and Human Services employees, including more than 1,000 at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The administration cuts around 90 percent of the budget meant for Affordable Care Act marketplace navigators. And, flu deaths surpass those related to COVID-19 for 1st time since the beginning of the pandemic. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, UMass Memorial Health in Worcester, Massachusetts began to pilot a new hospital-at-home program: one for postpartum patients. Benjamin Hamar, MD, Director of the Maternity Center at UMass Memorial and a member of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division, joins the podcast to tell host J. Carlisle Larsen more about the first-in-the-nation model. This episode originally aired on November 4, 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Is confirmed as the next Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.  House Republicans outline $880 billion in healthcare cuts. And, the American Hospital Association calls on the Trump Administration to exempt medical devices from tariffs. That's coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A federal judge has issued a temporary stay on funding cuts to research institutions from the National Institutes of Health. The Department of Health and Human Services has been ordered to restore health information webpages following a lawsuit. And, a new study finds that using a popular weight loss drug can help patients lower their need for blood pressure medications. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A recent $10 million endowment to Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management will establish a new Healthcare Leadership Center in partnership with Northwestern Medicine. The goal of the center is to train the next generation of healthcare leaders in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape. Craig Garthwaite, Professor of Strategy and the Director of Healthcare at Kellogg, joins host J. Carlisle Larsen to talk more about the goals of the center. He also shares his thoughts on the challenges facing the industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elon Musk’s aides at the Department of Government Efficiency are reportedly probing Medicare payment systems for fraud. Physicians sue the Trump Administration over the scrubbing of health information from federal websites. And, maternal mortality is declining except among Black women. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Members of the Senate Finance Committee have advanced Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services to the full Senate. New legislation introduced in Congress would raise Medicare physician pay if it’s passed.  And, the Food and Drug Administration has approved the first non-opioid prescription painkiller in more than 20 years. We'll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast, we hear the second half of host J. Carlisle Larsen’s conversation with Modern Healthcare’s Michael McAuliff about a document making the rounds on Capitol hill that outlines potential federal healthcare spending cuts.   You can find the first part of their conversation here.  And, you can read Michael’s recent article about the proposed federal healthcare cuts here.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Trump Administration reverses course on a federal funding freeze memo that threw healthcare programs into chaos nationwide. Cigna announces plan to lower out-of-pocket prescription costs for members. And, the FDA approves Ozempic to treat diabetic kidney disease. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UnitedHealth Group reveals that the number of Americans impacted by last year’s Change Healthcare breach has nearly doubled. The University of Minnesota and Essentia Health announce a plan to form a new nonprofit healthcare entity.  And, Walgreens rumored sale of itself to a private equity firm is reportedly called off. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A document making the rounds in Congress outlines trillions of dollars in potential federal spending cuts to pay for an extension of tax cuts put into place during President Trump’s first term. And Healthcare makes up a sizable part of the proposed cuts. Michael McAuliff, politics and policy reporter for Modern Healthcare, joins host J. Carlisle Larsen to talk more about what healthcare programs could face spending cuts and reactions from lawmakers on Capitol Hill.  You can find Michael’s recent article about the proposed healthcare cuts here.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Trump Administration has paused federal health agencies’ external communications, pending a review.  The Affordable Care Act saw record enrollment for the 2025 plan year on the exchanges, but that growth could be stymied if enhanced tax subsidies expire at the end of the year.  And, RSV antibody shots given to mothers during pregnancy have been found to significant cut infection risk in infants. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Newly inaugurated President Trump has issued sweeping initial healthcare orders for his second term. The Department of Health and Human Services releases the next 15 Medicare Part D drugs chosen for negotiations with a blockbuster GLP-1 weight loss drug at the top of the list.  And, a new report from a federal watchdog raises red flags over the Food and Drug Administration’s accelerated approval process for experimental drugs.  We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Biden Administration finalizes rule allowing practitioners to prescribe certain drugs for opioid use disorder via telehealth appointments. Fewer new Black and Hispanic students are enrolling in medical school following Supreme Court ruling that effectively stuck down Affirmative Action. And, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services retracts recently released Medicare Advantage enrollment data. That's coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Supreme Court says it will consider a broad lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act’s preventive care mandate. The Biden Administration will crack down on health insurance exchange brokers in a final rule issued this week.  And, Walgreens’ CEO confirms plans to sell VillageMD. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare’s CEO has been extradited to New York on murder charges. National healthcare spending hit $4.9 trillion in 2023, likely due to increased utilization and intensity. And, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports first severe human case of bird flu in the United States tied to a backyard flock. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Congress is another step closer to finalizing a year-end spending package to keep the government operating, and the plan includes some significant healthcare related spending. The Health Resources and Services Administration demands the French drugmaker Sanofi abandon its controversial 340B credit model.  And, fewer children are being vaccinated against the flu. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President-elect Donald Trump has named a number of high-profile individuals to lead federal healthcare agencies. These include Robert F. Kennedy Jr. To lead the Department of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. On today’s episode, host J. Carlisle Larsen speaks with POLITICO’s Ben Leonard to talk more about his healthcare choices, their chances of getting confirmed by the Senate, and what his picks could signal about his second administration’s priorities.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

United States Senators introduce legislation that would break up healthcare giants’ pharmacy benefit managers. Walgreens is reportedly looking into a sale to a private equity firm and going private. And, a new poll finds fewer than one in five Americans are satisfied with the cost of healthcare. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Police arrest suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield backtracks on a controversial planned cap on anesthesia payments. And, dozens of Nobel laureates write to the US Senate urging lawmakers to oppose Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. We’ll get those stories coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since January 2021, hospitals and health systems have been required to post the prices of standard charges publicly. The goal of the Hospital Price Transparency Rule has been to increase competition and bring down the cost of healthcare for consumers. Since the regulation went into effect three years ago, researchers at Turquoise Health wanted to see if the market had responded.   Carol Skenes, Interim Vice President of Product at Turquoise, joins host J. Carlisle Larsen to talk about what their researchers found after reviewing industry-wide data.   You can find the white paper discussed on today’s episode here.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's killing in Manhattan this week sends shockwaves through the industry. Cone becomes the latest health system to join Kaiser Permanente’s Risant Health system. And, CMS proposes new guidelines regulating Medicare Advantage prior authorizations and advertisements. We’ll get that story—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sanofi becomes the latest pharmaceutical company to introduce a rebate model for 340B-eligible healthcare organizations. A new rule proposed by the Biden Administration would allow Medicare and Medicaid to cover drugs like Ozempic for weight loss. And, patients with HIV can now donate and receive organ transplants from other individuals with the disease. We’ll get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s Monday interview, host J. Carlisle Larsen speaks with Kaufman Hall’s Scott Christensen about trends within the retail healthcare delivery space and what hospitals can learn from these organizations’ stumbles and successes.  You can find the first part of our conversation here. And you can read Scott’s recent blog post about the topic here.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President-elect Trump taps former-TV personality Dr. Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The parent companies of major U.S. pharmacy benefit managers sue the Biden Administration over a recent suit brought by the FTC alleging that PBMS engage in anticompetitive rebate practices for insulin. And, CMS will lower importance of the call center metric in Medicare Advantage star ratings. We’ll get that story—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Incoming President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing significant changes to Medicaid, and some states are rushing to get their waiver requests in before President Biden leaves office. UnitedHealth Group announces Change Healthcare’s clearinghouse services are fully operational following a massive cyberattack on the company earlier this year. And, nearly 10,000 Corewell nurses in southeast Michigan will unionize. We’ll get that story—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Retailers have made a big splash in the healthcare delivery space over the last decade, but many have seen mixed success with their healthcare business. Some companies, including CVS and Amazon, are still making progress. While others, like Walmart and Walgreens, have taken a tumble. On today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast, host J. Carlisle Larsen discusses what we’ve seen in the retail space with Scott Christensen, Senior Vice President for Kaufman Hall’s Strategy and Business Transformation team.   Scott recently wrote a blog post analyzing the retail healthcare business, read it here.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President-elect Donald Trump nominates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the next Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. And the Biden Administration sues to halt Optum’s multibillion dollar acquisition of home health provider Amedisys on antitrust grounds. We get those stories—and more—coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.