The Gist Healthcare Podcast

Experts say adding your own language to hospital contracts could offer some protection against surprise medical bills. A ban on certain types of e-cigarettes is now in effect. And Cigna boasts the lowest medical cost growth in the industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A group of bipartisan health experts is out with a health care plan. The Supreme Court may again consider taking the case challenging the Affordable Care Act. And lawmakers want more control over the Innovation Center. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Health care providers are struggling to spend effectively on social services. The former CEO of Aetna is off the CVS Health board. And fewer people are visiting their primary care providers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pharmacists at big retail chains say crushing workloads are put patient safety at risk. The number of nurse practitioners has more than doubled in the last decade. And Humana opens more primary care clinics with a large private equity investment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New federal regulations around the way states finance their Medicaid programs could have huge implications. Partner at policy advisory firm Manatt Health Anne Karl explains just how much hospitals and states stand to lose. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The federal government is offering states more flexibility on Medicaid in exchange for limited funding. The coronavirus is now an official public health emergency. And Americans are living longer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Close to 8,000 health care workers go on strike in Seattle disrupting patient care and costing the hospital millions. And some lawmakers are renewing calls for legislation to address surprise billing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Practice Fusion will pay a hefty fine for a kickback scheme to prescribe more opioids. Illinois passes a law to make insulin more affordable. And coronavirus cases continue to increase across the globe.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Self-insured employers aren’t reducing healthcare costs. Secretary of Health Alex Azar says "scare tactics" won’t stop plans to ease medical records access. And the Supreme Court says the public charge rule can be enforced.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More cases of coronavirus are identified in the United States. Congressman Pete Stark, who was involved in pivotal health policies died at age 88. And Dan Gorenstein talks about exploring the tradeoffs of healthcare policy in his new podcast.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cardinal Health recalls 9 million surgical gowns. Blue Cross Blue Shield and Civica are partnering to make affordable generic drugs. And the president says he’s now considering cuts to Medicare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s at least one coronavirus case in the United States. Centene plans to close its acquisition of WellCare this week. And one report paints the federal government is one of the fiercest medical debt collectors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Supreme Court will not hear the case challenging the Affordable Care Act. And a radiologist addresses the fears within the field about being replaced by artificial intelligence which is getting better at reading mammograms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A large physician group throws its support behind Medicare for All. Artificial intelligence models are being developed to identify breast cancer – and Dr. Connie Lehman believes this could help make mammograms more accessible for women worldwide.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wyoming can’t use Medicaid to regulate air ambulance prices. Controversy over dietary guidelines about red meat continues. And the Affordable Care Act narrowed racial health disparities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many young women got unnecessary pelvic exams and Pap tests. UnitedHealth Group had record Medicare Advantage growth. And CVS says it's clinics can treat the majority of what people go to primary care doctors for. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Experts say no need to wear protective aprons during x-rays. Physicians spend 16 minutes on electronic health records after each patient visit. And Democratic candidates say the government needs to take a role in reducing prescription drug prices. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 A new biotech company plans to make lower-cost branded drugs. Two of President Trump's healthcare initiatives are back in court. And retiring CEO of St. Luke's Health System Dr. David Pate says the way to reign in healthcare spending is to get rid of low-value care. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Justice Department says it's premature for the Supreme Court to hear the case challenging the Affordable Care Act. And outgoing CEO of Boise, ID-based St. Luke’s Health System, Dr. David Pate reflects on his tenure which included an aggressive transition to value.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Focused medical and social help for the sickest patients didn’t keep them out of the hospital. California announces a plan to contracting directly with generic drug makers to lower prices. And health insurance sign-ups remain stable for 2020. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Single-year cancer deaths decreased at a record rate. Walgreens Boots Alliance stock dropped after worse than anticipated first-quarter earnings. And research finds bundled payments have some savings limited to a few procedures. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does a tax on vaping products lead people to keep smoking cigarettes? In the last 20 years, hospital charges have skyrocketed. And the government plans to rely more on data from doctor visits to determine much to pay Medicare Advantage insurers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One Medical announced it's going public. Democratic states ask the Supreme Court to take the case challenging the Affordable Care Act. And one medical school fed up with a popular ranking system says it's pulling out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the debate, Democratic presidential candidates spend just a few minutes on healthcare. Fewer Americans have primary care doctors. And one Boston union finds a way to lower premiums and increase wages.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A federal appeals court ruled the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate is unconstitutional. The order sends the case back to the lower court to decide which parts of the law can remain. Duke University Professor of Law and Business Barak Richman explains what the decision means. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.