DC EKG

In a special DC EKG flashback episode, we're revisiting one of our favorite conversations with Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, the director of Stanford's Center for Demography and Economics of Health and Aging. Jay tells the sad and painful story of how the government, big tech, and academia conspired to suppress voices. Blacklisting at Twitter, ruined careers, and zero tolerance for questioning use of mask...

In this episode of DC EKG, Dr. Marty Makary uncovers the alarming truth behind some of modern medicine's most significant blunders, revealing how medical groupthink has caused widespread harm. From the surge in peanut allergies due to misguided recommendations to the dire consequences of opioid misinformation, he exposes the hubris of the medical establishment and its failings. Additionally, he de...

Join hosts Joe Grogan and Eric Ueland on DC EKG as they delve into the complexities of health economics in America with special guest Ben Ippolito. In this episode, they explore the skyrocketing prices of GLP-1 weight loss drugs and discuss the potential for Medicare coverage. Ben Ippolito sheds light on the current prohibition against Medicare covering weight loss drugs, the shift from viewing ob...

In this episode of DC EKG, hosts Joe Grogan and Eric Ueland sit down with John C. Goodman, renowned as the "father of the health savings account" by The Wall Street Journal. As the President of the Goodman Institute for Public Policy Research and a Senior Fellow at the Independent Institute, Goodman sheds light on the transformative power of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) in the realm of healthcar...

In this episode of DC EKG, former United States Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tevy Troy, delves into the troubling rise of anti-Semitic and anti-American protests on college campuses. With a keen eye on historical context, Troy offers invaluable insights into the roots of these movements and their implications for the future. Additionally, he sheds light on the unexpected conseque...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Brian Miller, a Family Medicine Physician and Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins University, to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in addressing burnout within the healthcare industry and streamlining administrative processes. Dr. Miller highlights the regulatory burdens across various healthcare services and their impact on...

In this episode of DC EKG, Eric Ueland addresses questions crafted by AI regarding the integration of AI in healthcare, sparked by Nvidia and Hippocratic AI's partnership in developing empathetic health agents. Delving into ethical and regulatory considerations, Eric examines the implications of AI's role in healthcare staffing, patient care, and the balance between cost-efficiency and quality of...

In this episode of DC EKG, former HHS policy staffer now activist Judy Stecker shares her deeply personal journey advocating for her son Wheeler, who suffers from a rare genetic disease. Peeling back the layers of FDA bureaucracy, Judy exposes the rigid, bureaucratic structure that obstructs access to life-changing medications. We discuss the stringent regulations that hinder innovation, ethi...

Economist and author Jeremy Weber explains to Joe and Eric how numbers and policy aides can avoid mistakes of their academic training. Former lead economist for White House's Council of Economic Advisors writes the must-read book all econ and policy aides to policymakers: Statistics for Public Policy: A Practical Guide to Being Mostly Right (or at Least Respectably Wrong)  https://a.co/d/bkVx...

2020 memoir, honorary Emmy and a scrubbing of deadly nursing home death data all added up to an epic undoing of the New York governor. Scarce Covid tests for his family, public resources used for his book, and mounting sexual harassment allegations all tip the scales against the bullying and ambitious Andrew Cuomo. Joe and Eric divine the facts around this complex scandal which ultimately too...

Bill shares his deep, first hand knowledge of America’s second largest Medicaid program. The current governor has departed from the historic efforts to rein in the always bloating health system to runaway growth in the program. This episode sets up the second part of this interview, the rise and fall of then governor Andrew Cuomo. Nursing home deaths, suppressed public data, and possible impe...

Joe and Eric geek out over budget and reconciliation details with their guest, Greg D’Angelo; this trifecta of budget experts talk over the $1.8 trillion HHS proposal. If you caught the administration’s Federal Budget news last week, you don’t want to miss these “deep tracks:” HHS delivers their “QFRs” more than a year late (imagine what “single payer” waiting rooms would be like?); rebate ru...

Eric and Joe invited Art Kleinschmidt back to the program for his expert viewpoint. Art, who after his own recovery, was awarded several advanced degrees, established a clinical practice, and served as the deputy United States “drug czar”, assessed the current opioid crisis. He shares how overdoses under the previous administration were reduced, why the Covid lockdowns shattered that ten...

Joe and Eric offer their unique insight into what does into the address, a breakdown of the issues you can expect to hear about, and even a few takes on what the White House’s staff may work into the remarks to help their own job searches. Thoughts about how gallery guests are used to illustrate points, ideas about how they will pull off the “breathing room” trope, and the tough job of giving...

Chris Jones talks with Joe and Eric about the team Gov. Doug Burgum built, the stories of overcoming bureaucracy, and achieving better outcomes for beneficiaries and taxpayers alike. Currently with the think tank Cicero Institute, Chris is sharing how one state was able to deflate cost AND improve health.

Ge Bai, born and raised in China but a US resident for two decades, applies her Michigan State phD in accounting and time at Johns Hopkins to the American health care landscape in a riveting discussion with Joe and Eric. Ge exposes the exploitation of taxpayers by the so-called non-profit hospital system, explores market and policy failures promising spiraling shortages, while shining a light on g...

In the third episode of this three-part discussion, Art shares details on his latest effort to help improve substance abuse treatment in the US. He began a nonprofit called the “Recovery Now” foundation. They also review current public policies branded as “harm reduction.” During this administration these measures are normalizing dependency and drug use, which in his view is the most eff...

In the second part of their three-part discussion, the discussion begins with what Art saw on his trip (August of 2022) to the southern border. Art shares how drug cartels monitor and control the border, use migrants who can’t afford the $6000 fee coyotes charge to smuggle them across the US, and the sophisticated tactics the cartels use to evade US border patrol. Art also unmasks the fa...

This episode tackles one of the most important public policy issues facing the US today. Joe and Eric hold a three-part discussion with their guest Art Kleinschmidt, where they review the current opioid crisis, discuss what public policy and recovery look like, and explore Art’s story of how he lived as a recovering user himself.   The following three episodes take place in Sep...

Take a listen to the federal takeover efforts of state Medicaid policy from Minnesota-based policy expert Peter Nelson. Peter is a senior policy fellow at the Center for the American Experiment, based in the Twin Cities, Federalization, attacks on "too much" choice, and state golden handcuffs of continuous coverage requirements leading too many people with double coverage. 'Precautionary Principle...

Joe and Eric continue their discussion with Charley. The conversation explores how drugmakers approach the market and fund new research. They highlight the explicit ways the IRA will undermine the delicate development process for life prolonging and life saving drugs. *This episode aired October 2022*

Joe and Eric continue their discussion with Charley. The conversation explores how drugmakers approach the market and fund new research. They highlight the explicit ways the IRA will undermine the delicate development process for life prolonging and life saving drugs. *This episode aired October 2022*

Joe and Eric drop invaluable deep takes on how the world will shape up in 2024. From healthcare, to to the elections, to policy, problems, and politics of ‘24 … are all right here. Healthcare fights; possible “curve ball” disruptions; Republican todos January 21, 2025; Biden second term; congressional election prediction. Plus more on our final program of 2023.

Hosts Joe Grogan and Eric Ueland explore the paths forward for policymakers grappling with the limitless possibilities of AI. They are joined by prolific author and 30+ year veteran of Washington’s approach to technology, innovation, and public policy, Adam Thierer . They discuss how global regulators have helped—or harmed—human progress and American innovation. This episode is a master class in t...

Designed to give seniors more options, the Congress designed MA is ways that be working too well. Highly informative discussion about the wonky details of Medicare, its trust fund, and why MA is in so many cross hairs.