181 - AI, Tokenized Markets, and Why Healthcare Is Carrying the U.S. Job Market

Mar 14, 2026

45:01

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Vic and Marcus discuss the latest macro forces shaping healthcare and technology, starting with inflation trends, rising oil prices, and how geopolitical tensions involving Iran could impact global markets and supply chains. They examine how healthcare has become the primary driver of U.S. job growth while questioning whether the industry can sustain the broader labor market long term. The conversation covers venture funding activity including AI healthcare startups, maternal health investments, and the growing debate over massive venture rounds in the AI era. They also analyze major industry developments such as CVS and Aetna resolving Medicare Advantage investigations, the acquisition of Talkspace by UHS to expand behavioral health services, and Novo Nordisk’s ongoing struggles in the GLP-1 market. The episode closes with a wide-ranging discussion on tokenized financial markets, the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure, big tech’s increasing control over healthcare through platforms like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, and how AI may become the new front door to healthcare access.

Story # 1 CPI, War & Healthcare jobs

1:50 - Inflation Holds Steady, but Iran War Threatens to Boost Prices WSJ

4:33 - Escalating Hormuz Crisis Raises Specter of Prolonged Closure WSJ

6:05 - Health Care Has Become the Lifeblood of the Labor Market NYT

Story # 2 VC deals

10:17 - New Medicaid-focused doula provider Malama launches with $9.2M Fierce Healthcare

12:17 - Amigo AI Raises $11M to Close the Gap Between Healthcare Demand and Clinical Capacity AlleyWatch

12:59 - Nitra Rakes In $187M to Simplify the Business of Running a Healthcare Practice MedCity

Story # 3 Changes (again) at FDA

21:07 - Vinay Prasad, controversial FDA leader, to again depart agency Healthcare Dive

Story # 4 Aetna settlement

22:52 - Aetna to pay $117.7M to settle Medicare Advantage upcoding allegations: DOJ Fierce Healthcare