The Gist Healthcare Podcast

Rural America has lost more than 10% of its family physicians since 2017, according to a report published late last year. What does that mean for patients and communities? On today's episode, host J. Carlisle Larsen speaks with Colleen Fogarty, M.D., the William Rocktaschel Professor and Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and lead author of the national study, about what the data reveals — and what happens when even one doctor leaves town.   Next week, we listen to the second part of their conversation where they look at the forces driving this decline.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Healthcare accounted for more than half of all new jobs added in January. Nurses at four New York City hospitals have ratified new contracts. A new report also finds that investing in Poison Control can reduce costs for health systems. 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.

Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, anesthesiology professor and former AMA president now serving as Global Chief Medical Officer at AIDOC, discusses why physicians avoid mental health care. He explores licensing and credentialing questions that deter help. He outlines confidentiality concerns and practical fixes like opt-out check‑ins and third‑party telehealth. He frames clinician mental health as a system-level public health issue.

Senate talks to restore enhanced ACA premium tax credits stall, raising questions about coverage costs. The FTC’s settlement with Express Scripts reshapes PBM practices on formularies and transparency. Epic debuts an ambient AI scribe that drafts notes and queues orders during visits. A report finds healthcare bankruptcies fell last year despite ongoing financial strain. Lilly plans a major plant for weight-loss drugs.

A deep dive into a surge of prior authorization requests in Medicare Advantage and the patient delays caused by denials and low appeal rates. Coverage of a new six-year prior authorization pilot in traditional Medicare. Examination of declines in ACA marketplace enrollment, state-by-state shifts, and changes to tax credits. Brief coverage of two major hospital deal reshufflings and an upcoming big pharma investment tease.

Physicians face higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide risk than the general population, yet most never seek mental health care. In this episode, Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, professor of anesthesiology at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Global Chief Medical Officer for AIDOC, discusses new JAMA research examining why. The conversation looks at how medical culture, stigma, time constraints and concerns about confidentiality or professional consequences can keep physicians from getting help, even when effective treatment exists.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Healthcare costs top Americans’ financial worries, Medicare drug price negotiations expand, and a measles outbreak grows in South Carolina. Those stories and more on today’s episode of The Gist Healthcare Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Trump administration proposes a modest pay increase for Medicare Advantage plans. The American Academy of Pediatrics releases its updated childhood vaccine schedule. And a platform billed as “ChatGPT for doctors” becomes the most valuable healthcare AI startup. Those stories and more, on today’s episode of The Gist Healthcare Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Advanced practice providers are a growing part of the healthcare workforce, but many organizations aren’t necessarily seeing the productivity gains they expected. On today’s episode, we examine new Kaufman Hall insights on why traditional physician-APP models often underperform, and how redesigning team roles, incentives, and compensation could yield better outcomes for clinicians and patients alike. Bonnie Proulx, DNP, APRN, PNP-BC, FAAN, Senior Vice President with Kaufman Hall and a member of the firm’s Physician Enterprise practice, joins the podcast to explain more.   You can read Bonnie’s blog post here.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some of the nation’s largest health insurers testify on Capitol Hill over healthcare affordability. Missouri becomes the latest state to sue pharmacy benefit managers and drug manufacturers over insulin pricing. The American Red Cross declares a severe blood shortage nationwide. These stories and more on today’s episode of The Gist Healthcare Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.