The Gist Healthcare Podcast

The HHS Office for Civil Rights updates a disability rights rule. UnitedHealthcare and Walmart are ending their shared Medicare Advantage plan. And a federal judge rules against drugmakers in their Medicare drug price negotiation challenge. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UnitedHealth Group’s CEO testifies before Congress about the Change Healthcare cyberattack. An expert panel issues new recommendations for breast cancer screenings. And a federal judge rules that state health plans must cover gender-affirming care. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Walmart is closing all of its health centers... as well as its virtual care platform. The Food and Drug Administration moves to regulate laboratory developed tests. And hospitals no longer have to report COVID-19 data to the federal government. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The White House puts a menthol cigarette ban on the back burner. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issues a final rule strengthening the Affordable Care Act’s sex discrimination protections. And the Federal Trade Commission restricts digital health apps’ sharing of personal data. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Senate committee is investigating the cost of popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs. Kaiser Permanente reports a data breach that impacts more than 13 million people. And a new study examines why nurses are calling it quits on healthcare jobs. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The U.S. Supreme Court seemed split after oral arguments in a case involving the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. The FTC said it will consider cybersecurity when evaluating potential mergers. And Walgreens announced a new $24-billion specialty pharmacy business. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Federal Trade Commission announced a final rule banning noncompetes nationwide. CMS issued a rule finalizing staffing minimums for nursing homes. And a recent Congressional Budget Office report digs into Medicare ACO cost savings. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

United-Health Group confirms it paid a ransom following the Change Healthcare cyberattack. CMS finalizes a Medicaid rule to improve access to home-based care and increase transparency. And a CDC report examines barriers patients face in getting mammograms. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CMS proposes a first-of-its-kind initiative addressing greenhouse gas emissions from hospitals. A new study analyzes telehealth’s impact on quality of care and spending. And cancer-detecting blood tests are gaining momentum. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Biden Administration released a final rule on the 340B Drug Pricing Program administrative dispute resolution process. The federal government has created a healthcare anti-trust reporting portal for the public. And a major cancer institute has retracted several research studies. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trials show promising results that weight-loss drug Zepbound also helps with sleep apnea. Physician assistants get an initial win in a job title rebrand. And racial health disparities continue to be an issue in every state. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Insurer Elevance Health partners with a private equity firm to launch a new primary care company. Telehealth startup Cerebral is under a federal order to limit its use of sharing sensitive customer health data. And Indiana joins a growing list of states with laws requiring advance notice of healthcare transactions. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hackers begin leaking Change Healthcare data as Congress prepares for hearings on the cyberattack. More prior authorization changes could be on the way. And CVS plans to open Oak Street Health clinics at its retail pharmacy stores. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A quarter of adults dropped from Medicaid report now being uninsured. Drug shortages in the U.S. hit an all-time high. And a study questions fast-tracking federal approval of cancer drugs. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Medicare anticipates spending billions on a new Alzheimer drug. A new study examines the effects of medical debt relief. And gender and race disparities continue to impact heart transplant acceptance rates. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CMS proposes a modest increase to inpatient payments for fiscal year 2025. Walgreens-backed VillageMD has a new president. And cancer cases are on the rise among young people. But why? That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Physicians report significant financial impacts from the Change Healthcare cyberattack. A new trail challenges whether beta blockers help all heart attack patients. And the FDA comes under scrutiny for its clinical research oversight protocols. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Biden Administration has issued a final rule further regulating Medicare Advantage marketers. The U.S. Senate is escalating its probe into the effects of private equity investments in healthcare. And Change Healthcare is looking to consolidate the lawsuits it's facing over its handling of February’s cyberattack. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In March 2023, employee healthcare navigation company Transcarent announced it would acquire AI-powered primary care startup 98point6’s virtual care platform and care business. On today’s encore episode of Gist Healthcare Daily, we hear the second part of host J. Carlisle Larsen’s conversation with Transcarent CEO Glen Tullman about that acquisition and how it fits into his company’s long-term goals. They also discuss Tullman’s thoughts on the future of employer-sponsored healthcare.  This conversation originally aired on December 4, 2023  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Employee healthcare navigation company Transcarent announced in September 2023 that it had partnered with an inaugural group of 10 large health systems to create what it calls a national, independent “provider ecosystem” in order to provide higher-quality care to the covered beneficiaries of its more than 300 employer clients. On today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily, we revisit host J. Carlisle Larsen’s conversation with Transcarent CEO Glen Tullman where they discussed the health system partnerships and the company’s direct contracting model. This conversation first aired on November 27, 2023 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Biden Administration establishes ACA adequacy standards and aligns annual open enrollment periods for state-based exchanges. Walmart Health is reportedly slowing down its 2024 health center expansion plan. And, telehealth providers call on the Drug Enforcement Administration to release a final rule on the virtual prescribing of controlled substances.  That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kaiser Permanente’s Risant Health finalizes its acquisition of Pennsylvania-based health system Geisinger. Intermountain-owned Saltzer Health shuts down operations and sells clinics. And, the Biden Administration finalizes its Medicare Advantage pay rate for 2025. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government implemented a rule that prevented states from removing people from Medicaid. But following the end of the public health emergency at the end of March 2023, states began the eligibility redetermination process. Since then, more than 19 million people have lost their Medicaid or CHIP coverage.  Jennifer Wagner, Director of Medicaid Eligibility and Enrollment at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, joins the podcast to talk more about what we’ve seen over the last year and what it could mean for future Medicaid policies.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Biden Administration streamlines the renewal and enrollment process for Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries. Walgreens will close more VillageMD clinics in the coming weeks, as it reports a nearly 6-billion dollar net loss in its second fiscal quarter. And, capping the cost of insulin lowered consumers’ out of pocket expenses but didn’t result in greater access to the drug, according to a new study. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Optum will acquire the financially troubled Steward Health’s national physician group. The Supreme Court signals skepticism over arguments made challenging the FDA’s approval of a key drug used in medication abortions. And, Change Healthcare says its largest clearing house is operational after a February cyber attack. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Congress unveils its $1.2 trillion spending bill with funding for the Department of Health and Human Services. New reports highlight errors with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Oracle’s deployment of its electronic health record system. And, a new study finds that a majority of new physicians have faced sexual harassment. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Early last October, Providence Health unveiled Praia Health, its fourth, incubated technology. Praia utilizes what the Digital Innovation Group calls a digital flywheel to keep patients engaged with their care by personalizing individuals' health journeys and seamlessly connecting them t  o the right services, products and resources. On today’s episode, we hear the second half of JC’s conversation with Sara Vaezy, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Digital Officer for Providence, where they talk more about Praia’s value proposition to hospitals and the future of the health system’s digital strategy. This conversation originally aired on October 16, 2023 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In October, Renton, Washington-based health system Providence unveiled Praia Health, its latest incubated technology. Praia is a platform-as-a-service developed for health systems to increase patient engagement by personalizing individuals' health journeys and seamlessly connecting them to the right services, products and resources. On today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily, we revisit host J. Carlisle Larsen’s conversation with Sara Vaezy, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Digital Officer for Providence. She joined the podcast to talk more about Praia Health, including its goals and the issues it aims to address. This conversation originally aired on October 9, 2023 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawmakers press the Department of Health and Human Services over its response to the Change Healthcare cyberattack. Medicare Part D plans can cover the popular–and expensive–weight loss drug Wegovy for beneficiaries with heart conditions. And, VillageMD sells 11 clinics in Rhode Island to Arches Medical Partners.  That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CMS launches a new model that aims to increase primary care participation in Medicare ACOs. The U.S. Senate releases a military report flagging risks in the nation’s drug supply chain. And, the CDC releases new guidance for hospital CEOs to mitigate burnout in the healthcare workforce. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

National supermarket chain Kroger plans to sell its specialty pharmacy business to Elevance Health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues a new health alert as measles cases continue to climb. And, the number of abortions nationwide increased in the first year following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, according to a new report. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services extends Medicaid payment flexibilities amid the ongoing Change Healthcare outage. President Biden signs an executive order to expand research on women’s health. And, another drugmaker caps prescription asthma inhaler prices at $35 per month amid lawmaker scrutiny. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ongoing healthcare workforce shortages have prompted hospitals and health systems to expand educational and internship programs to better engage young people in pursuing careers in healthcare. For the past two weeks, Gist Healthcare Daily has highlighted initiatives underway at University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio to attract high school students to the healthcare industry. Today, host J. Carlisle Larsen speaks with Zach Fleitman, founder and CEO of Workup Health, to learn more about how the talent pipeline management platform works with health systems– including University Hospitals– to help them track and evaluate the impact of their youth outreach programs. You can find JC’s two-part conversation with Celina Cunanan of University Hospitals at the links below:How University Hospitals in Cleveland Engages with Youth in its Communities to Build its Talent Pipeline (March 4, 2024)Continuing the Conversation: Celina Cunanan of University Hospital about the importance of talent pipeline development, diversifying the provider workforce (March 12, 2024) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The federal government will investigate UnitedHealth Group following the Change Healthcare cyber attack. Diabetes and weight loss drug Ozempic was found to delay the progression of chronic kidney disease in diabetic patients, according to a large-scale clinical trial. And, drugmaker Eli Lilly partners with Amazon to deliver its weight loss drug Zepbound, directly to consumers’ homes. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A U.S. Circuit Court rules against a pharmaceutical lobbying group in the ongoing fight over 340B drug discounts. Corvallis Clinic asks Oregon for an exemption from the state’s oversight process to merge with Optum. And, the healthcare industry remains the top target for cyber criminals. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Federal officials offer emergency funding to providers as the Change Healthcare outage stretches into its fourth week. President Biden releases his proposed 2025 budget, which includes some big ticket healthcare items. And, the Food and Drug Administration says that the weight loss drug Wegovy can be prescribed for heart problems. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For three years in a row, workforce and personnel issues remain the top concern for healthcare leaders across the country, according to a recent survey published by the American College of Healthcare Executives.On today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily, we listen to the second half of host J. Carlisle Larsen’s conversation with Celina Cunanan, Chief Diversity, Equity & Belonging Officer at Cleveland, Ohio-based University Hospitals, about how diversifying University Hospitals’ talent pipeline–and by extension, its workforce–benefits both the system and the community as a whole. You can listen to the first half of their conversation here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Biden calls for expanding the number of drugs Medicare can negotiate prices on. Cigna strikes a deal with drugmakers to cap the cost of popular obesity medications for employer-sponsored health plans. And, Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs inks its first health system partnership. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announces provider flexibilities in the wake of the ongoing challenges associated with the recent Change Healthcare cyber attack. The White House announces a new federal task force to investigate healthcare costs. And, Opill–the first over-the-counter birth control pill–will hit shelves later this month. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The nation’s two largest retail pharmacy chains will begin dispensing the drug mifepristone, which can be used in a medication abortion. A growing number of physicians are employed by private equity groups, according to a new study. And, a CMS report outlines a drop in quality measure performance at hospitals during the first two years of the pandemic. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Change Healthcare opens a backup pharmacy system as outages continue following a cyberattack late last month. Hospitals and physicians may see some relief in a newly proposed federal spending deal. And, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention drops its five-day isolation guidance for COVID-19 infections. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bloomberg Philanthropies recently announced it would partner with major health systems and invest $250 million dollars to launch healthcare-oriented high schools to address an expected shortage of workers within the industry. But many hospitals and health systems have educational programs today that aim to get young people interested in healthcare careers. Celina Cunanan, Chief Diversity, Equity & Belonging Officer at University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio, joins the podcast to talk more about how her health system engages with young people in its communities as part of its workforce development efforts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Northwell Health and Nuvance Health announce plans to merge. VillageMD plans to close all of its clinics in Illinois. And, antidepressant prescribing for young people increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Department of Justice launches an antitrust investigation into UnitedHealth Group. Colorado regulators force U.S. Anesthesia Partners to end exclusive contracts at some hospitals in the state. And, hackers are reportedly looking to sell data from a recent breach at a children’s hospital. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Measles cases are on the rise in several states across the country. Healthcare settlements tied to the False Claims Act reached $1.8 billion in fiscal year 2023. And, a New York City medical school receives a $1 billion donation to make tuition free for students. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Optums says it expects outages related to a cyber attack against Change Healthcare to continue for at least another day. Colorado becomes the first state in the nation to set a drug price ceiling. And, nearly 40 state Attorneys General are asking Congressional lawmakers for federal legislation to regulate pharmacy benefit managers. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Data sharing platform Health Gorilla surveyed more than 1,200 consumers to gauge their opinion about the privacy of their health data and which companies should be allowed to access it. It found a vast majority of respondents expressed concerns about data breaches affecting their medical records. Steven Lane, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Health Gorilla, joins the podcast to talk more about the survey, patient privacy, and the role of interoperability. You can find Health Gorilla’s State of Patient Privacy report here. This episode originally aired on September 5, 2023 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Walgreens plans to shutter all of its VillageMD locations in Florida amid ongoing cost-cutting measures. Mississippi considers a Medicaid expansion…but with job requirements. And, a cyber security attack disrupts UnitedHealth’s Change Healthcare operations. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Medicare Advantage enrollment is up as payers worry about higher MA costs. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalizes a rule for Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments. And, nearly half of newborns in the United States received protection against respiratory syncytial virus.That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Biden Administration launches a probe into how the business practices of hospital purchasing groups and drug distributors may impact shortages of drugs. The number of surprise billing disputes heading to arbitration remains well beyond original federal estimates, according to new data. And, a popular vitamin may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.