The Gist Healthcare Podcast

Google, Amazon, and other large companies are offering help with COVID-19 vaccine distribution. As more transmissible coronavirus variants are identified in the US, vaccine makers are working to catch up. And President Biden says he’s willing to negotiate on the $1.9 trillion relief proposal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Price transparency and interoperability rules are continuing to make healthcare more consumer-driven. Kristen Valdes, founder and CEO of healthcare technology company b.well Connected Health and Board Member of the CARIN Alliance, believes the industry is shifting toward consumerism and early adopters of transparency will gain patient loyalty.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exactly a year ago this week, the first case of the novel coronavirus was confirmed in the US. Since then there have been more than 24 million cases and more than 400,000 deaths. One year later, President Biden laid out a new detailed, fortified response guided by science. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During President Biden’s first few hours in office, he took several COVID-19 actions, including a mask mandate on federal property and rejoining the World Health Organization. UnitedHealth Group is continuing to grow its care delivery business. And coronavirus vaccine trials in kids have started but are struggling to recruit participants. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The country has reached another terrible milestone - 400 thousand lives lost to COVID-19. Lawmakers say the last minute attempt to extend Medicaid waivers is invalid. And President-elect Biden fills out his healthcare team and is expected to take immediate action on COVID.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amidst all the health news in 2020, a new defined contribution model started. The Individual Health Coverage Reimbursement Arrangement or ICHRA - is projected to shake up employer insurance and double the size of the individual market. Jack Hooper, CEO of Take Command Health discusses how small and large employers are expressing interest.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President-elect Biden unveils his coronavirus relief proposal which includes injecting billions into the coronavirus vaccination effort. Democrats want to revive legislation to let Medicare negotiate drug prices. And payers and startups are seizing on the popularity of telehealth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Healthcare companies are joining the wave of corporations pausing political donations. Scientists say the coronavirus is likely here to stay. And billionaire Mark Cuban enters the generic drug market. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The federal government announces sweeping changes to speed up vaccinations amid the deadly covid surge. West Virginia is one of the few states with the smoothest vaccine rollout to date. And the pace of provider mergers and acquisitions is likely to pick up in 2021 after health systems and physician groups took big financial last year.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some within the transition are concerned about meeting Biden's 100 million vaccines in Biden’s first 100 days goal. CMS approves the first block grant for Tennesee's Medicaid program. And the doctor leading the health equity task force says we need to address not only access to testing and vaccines, but also social and financial challenges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.