#caretalk Podcast

In this month's episode of #CareTalk, David Williams (Health Business Group) and John Driscoll (CareCentrix) discuss the impact of healthcare on the Democratic presidential race. Overview: (0:36) What impact are the TV debates on healthcare having on the Democratic presidential race? (2:30) Arkansas has been testing out a Medicaid work requirement. What do the results tell us? (4:30) What should be made of the OpenNotes initiative in Massachusetts, which allows patients to access their doctors' clinical notes about them? (7:12) New doctors continue to avoid primary care. Does that matter? (9:20) Did David avoid getting bit by a shark during his Cape Cod vacation? (10:16) A judge struck down Trump’s rule to make drug makers disclose prices in TV ads. Does it matter? (11:01) Is Alexa bad for healthcare? (11:30) Co-design is a new healthcare buzzword - but how important is it? Subscribe to the #CareTalk Podcast iTunes: https://apple.co/2DIDTcr Google Play: https://bit.ly/2RobqMB Watch this episode on YouTub

In this month's episode of #CareTalk, David Williams (Health Business Group) and John Driscoll (CareCentrix) debate whether or not drones are the "next big thing" in healthcare and much more. Overview: (0:26) Are drones the next big thing in healthcare? (2:15) People talk about disparities in healthcare. What does it actually mean? (5:43) Teladoc announced strong earning and is talking about a virtual approach first for healthcare. Has the time come? (7:26) What should be made of the CBO's Medicare for All report? (10:19) Is David changing the way he takes sleeping pills? (11:00) Is weed killer causing cancer? (11:51) Do you believe in arbitration for drug pricing? (12:16) Can technology make healthcare more human? Subscribe to the #CareTalk Podcast iTunes: apple.co/2DIDTcr Google Play: bit.ly/2RobqMB Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dIgCu61ErHI

In this month's episode of #CareTalk, David Williams (Health Business Group) and John Driscoll (CareCentrix) discuss Amazon Alexa's healthcare skills, the Measles outbreak and much more. Overview: (0:30) Amazon finally added Alexa "healthcare skills" and made them HIPAA-compliant. What's the big deal? (3:32) Measles is coming back. How did this happen? (5:24) Are suicides among older people in institutions a major phenomenon or is something else going on? (8:54) Is there any new evidence about the benefits of healing at home? (10:55) Medicare's insulin costs rose 840 percent in the last decade. What gives? (11:25) Last month we said Lyft was touting improving social determinants of health as a value proposition for its IPO. How's that working out? (12:01) What does the Mueller report tell us about healthcare? (12:22) Will the Red Sox repeat as World Series champs? Subscribe to the #CareTalk Podcast iTunes: https://apple.co/2DIDTcr Google Play: https://bit.ly/2RobqMB Watch this episode on YouTube: https:

In this month's episode of #CareTalk, David Williams (Health Business Group) and John Driscoll (CareCentrix) discuss Scott Gottlieb's departure from the FDA, home healthcare spending, Lyft's interest in social determinants of health and much more. Overview: (0:28) Scott Gottlieb is out at FDA. Are you sad to see him go? (2:00) Home health spending is projected to grow faster than any other category of healthcare over the coming years. Is that good or bad? (4:00) Insulin prices are spiking and both Democrats and Republicans are up in arms. What's happening? (5:53) Lyft is talking about the social determinants of health. What?! (8:47) What do you think about FDA approving ketamine nasal spray as a treatment for depression? (9:10) What did we learn about healthcare from Michael Cohen's Congressional testimony? (9:33) Medicare has a new app. Have you tried it? (9:59) Did you hear about the $48,500 bill for a cat bite? Subscribe to the #CareTalk Podcast iTunes: https://apple.co/2DIDTcr Google Play: https:

In this month's episode of #CareTalk, David Williams (Health Business Group) and John Driscoll (CareCentrix) discuss the “Medicare for All” movement, pharma rebates and much more. Overview: (0:35) Is "Medicare for All" quickly becoming a litmus test for Democratic presidential candidates? (2:45) What should be made of the recent moves of home health agencies around primary care? (5:00) Are pharma rebates to blame for increased drug pricing? (8:00) President Trump promised a whopping $50 million a year for childhood cancer. What would you do with all that money? (8:32) Will adding the full list price of drugs in ads make a difference? (9:03) Will Donald Trump actually end HIV transmission by 2030? (9:32) We predicted that the Patriots would win the championship this year. What about the other Boston sports teams? Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5blMu9xm14c

In this month's episode of #CareTalk, David Williams (Health Business Group) and John Driscoll (CareCentrix) discuss California Governor, Gavin Newsom's aggressive healthcare proposals, the impact of the government shutdown on healthcare and much more. Overview: (0:30) What should be made of California Governor, Gavin Newsom's aggressive healthcare proposals? (3:15) What was the buzz at JP Morgan's Healthcare Conference this year? (6:24) What will be the biggest healthcare topics of 2019? (8:56) The book, When, by Daniel Pink, talks about the importance of time-of-day for peoples' quality and performance. What are the implications for healthcare? (11:09) How does the government shutdown impact healthcare? (11:42) States are struggling to come up with ways to test for marijuana intoxication in drivers. What should they do? (12:19) What New Year's resolution did you break already? (12:39) Who will prevail in Super Bowl 53? Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fcoIW_gT1oM

In this month's episode of #CareTalk, David Williams (Health Business Group) and John Driscoll (CareCentrix) discuss the best and worst healthcare moments of 2018. Overview: (0:40) What did Amazon do that was noteworthy in healthcare this year? (3:04) Was there any success in combating increasing drug prices in 2018? (5:01) What were the healthcare implications of the 2018 mid-term elections? (7:06) Were there significant advancements made in home healthcare this year? (10:40) With today's immigration climate, who is going to take care of mom? (12:35) What was the Texas judge who overturned the whole ACA thinking? (12:55) The Russians have been meddling in US politics. Do you think they're also in US healthcare? (13:17) What was the best healthcare moment of 2018? (14:14) Where will you be when the NYE ball drops this year? Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Az5S-2P_SEU

In this month's episode of #CareTalk, David Williams (Health Business Group) and John Driscoll (CareCentrix) discuss how the outcome of the 2018 mid-term elections will impact healthcare moving forward. Overview: (0:32) What are your keys takeaways for healthcare coming out of the 2018 mid-term elections? (3:09) Medicare Advantage plans can offer supplemental benefits in 2019. Is this a big deal? (6:22) The Trump Administration wants to tie some US drug prices to foreign benchmarks. Is this a serious proposal? (8:17) Are you surprised to see the FDA clamp down so strongly on vaping? (10:29) Did you talk about healthcare at the Thanksgiving table? (10:57) Will the Supreme Court overturn Roe v Wade? (11:30) How is David liking his new Apple Watch? (12:01) How about them Red Sox? Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/V36oGyMfyk8

In this month's episode of #CareTalk, David Williams (Health Business Group) and John Driscoll (CareCentrix) discuss how important healthcare will be in the 2018 mid-term elections. Overview: (0:36) How important will healthcare be in the 2018 mid-term elections? (3:52) What are the key healthcare ballot questions this year? (8:44) What should be made of the plan to make drug companies publish their list prices in DTC ads? (11:47) What's new with the opioid crisis? (13:45) What are you going to be for Halloween? (13:55) Will the Democrats take the house? How about the Senate? (14:10) What will be the impact of Elizabeth Warren's ancestry test? Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/q8PfCvDP7f0

In this month's episode of #CareTalk, David Williams (Health Business Group) and John Driscoll (CareCentrix) discuss Google's investment in Oscar Health, younger physicians favoring single payer health insurance, and much more. Overview: (0:45) A recent survey shows that younger physicians are in favor of a single payer healthcare system. What does this mean? (3:21) Google recently made a $375 million investment in Oscar Health. Will it pay off? (7:02) CVS is giving customers the option of excluding high cost/low value drugs from their formularies. Will it have an impact? (10:17) What’s new in solutions to address the opioid crisis? (13:17) Has Chris Collins given John any stock tips lately? (14:34) What’s up with IBM Watson? (15:25) Why is CMS trying to stop home health aides from unionizing ? (16:21) John and David chat about their favorite movies from summer 2018. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vhIOkiESVMc

In this month's episode of #CareTalk, David Williams (Health Business Group) and John Driscoll (CareCentrix) discuss Trump's fight with Pfizer over drug pricing, and more. Overview: (0:37) What did you think of Trump's fight with Pfizer about drug pricing? (3:50) Atul Gawande is now running the Amazon/Berkshire/JP Morgan healthcare company. Is he a good choice? (6:33) Will the new Supreme Court justice have an impact on healthcare? (8:43) What do you make of the Amazon/Xealth pilot? (10:36) What did Trump learn about healthcare from his autocratic friends? (11:06) What is the biggest racket in healthcare? (11:48) Will the latest attempts to undermine the ACA make much of a difference? (12:12) What is your biggest health tip for this summer? Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/olNoyNBmCPg

In this month's episode of #CareTalk, David Williams (Health Business Group) and John Driscoll (CareCentrix) discuss the "Right to Try" law. Overview: (0:23) Is the "Right to Try" law a good idea? (2:39) What should be made of Virginia expanding Medicaid? Will others follow? (4:05) Can value-based payment deals bring drug prices under control? (6:16) Could the Amazon Echo Look have a role in healthcare? (7:16) What should Novartis have done with the $1.2 million it paid Michael Cohen? (7:46) What is the least appreciated job in healthcare? (8:24) What is your summer reading recommendation? Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AW6q6ezXTas

In this month's episode of #CareTalk, David Williams (Health Business Group) and John Driscoll (CareCentrix) discuss the drug pricing problem in the United States. Overview: (0:25) Why does the U.S. have a drug pricing problem? (2:06) With Ronny Jackson out as Veterans Affairs Secretary, who is best suited to fill the vacant position? (3:30) Is big data all hype or can it actually make a difference in healthcare? (5:25) Why are we seeing merger talk among payers and providers? (7:09) What should be made of Congress potentially reducing Food Stamps? (9:49) The Obamacare rule that makes chain restaurants post calorie information has just gone into effect. How do you feel about that? (10:14) Should states be allowed to impose lifetime caps on Medicaid? (10:49) What's your personal health goal for the summer? Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LurIMvQ8eJc

In this month's episode of #CareTalk, David Williams (Health Business Group) and John Driscoll (CareCentrix) discuss how the healthcare industry can learn from Facebook's recent data security woes. Overview: (0:17) Did we learn more from Mark Zuckerberg's testimony than Congress did? (2:27) Is it a good idea for Wal-Mart to acquire Humana? (3:50) Thoughts on Trump appointing his own physician, Ronny Jackson, as the new Veterans Affairs Secretary. (5:43) The Administration has been stripping away regulations and enforcement throughout the economy. Is that good or bad for healthcare? (7:15) Will Obamacare be a winning issue for the democrats in the midterm elections? (7:32) Two-thirds of Americans over 65 take vitamin supplements (despite little evidence that they work)? Is that good or bad? (8:06) As immigrants are pushed out, what area of healthcare will be hit hardest? (8:32) Major League Baseball is underway. Who’s going to win the World Series? Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OZuk

In this month's episode of #CareTalk, David Williams (Health Business Group) and John Driscoll (CareCentrix) discuss what the partnership between Amazon, JPMorgan Chase and Berkshire Hathaway will mean for healthcare. Overview: (0:20) How will the partnership between Amazon, JPMorgan Chase and Berkshire Hathaway impact healthcare? (3:45) Are JPMorgan Chase and Berkshire Hathaway just "along for the ride" with Amazon? (5:06) Who is looking out for the Medicare beneficiaries? (8:01) The Economist published a statement that data will drive a revolution healthcare. Is The Economist right? (10:42) Can we take any solace in the innovations happening on the state level? (13:06) Was it the right move to force out CDC Director, Brenda Fitzgerald? (14:20) What should be made of Trump's description of the opioid crisis as an "emergency"? (14:51) Will we be downloading Apple's new Health app? (15:37) Our thoughts on Indiana's Medicaid program. Listen to #CareTalk on iTunes: https://apple.co/2FxbeoX Listen to #

In this month's episode of #CareTalk, David Williams (Health Business Group) and John Driscoll (CareCentrix) discuss the newly appointed Secretary of HHS, Alex Azar, and how he will impact the healthcare industry. Overview: (0:20) With Alex Azar confirmed as the new Secretary of HHS, what are we in for? (1:25) Will Alex Azar help get drug prices under control? (3:11) How much of an impact can value-based payment make on healthcare? (5:41) What needs to be done about the convoluted way money flows through the pharmaceutical industry? (7:32) Is 2018 the year that we turn the corner on the opioid crisis? (8:06) Congress reauthorized children's health for another six years. Can we expect more bipartisan support in the near future? (8:47) When are we going to see the payoff from health information technology? Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/L-ZU6JWEpJQ

In this month's episode of #CareTalk, David Williams (Health Business Group) and John Driscoll (CareCentrix) look back at why 2017 wasn't the best year for healthcare policy. Overview: (0:21) What were the best and worst things to happen in healthcare policy this year? (3:05) Who should be afraid of Amazon's entrance into healthcare? (5:15) Are the hospital mergers a good or bad thing? Do they matter? (6:41) Is there hope for healthcare policy in 2018? (9:01) Does the election of Doug Jones for the US senate have any broader implications in the US? (9:43) Will the Apple watch impact healthcare or is it all hype? (10:25) David and John discuss their healthcare hopes for 2018. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/b5uctX7Zm-c