A new federal law is reshaping how healthcare is paid for and delivered in America.

In this episode, Steve sits down with health policy expert Joe Mercer to unpack the details of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It’s the most significant healthcare legislation since the ACA, with ripple effects across Medicaid, rural hospitals, and the ACA exchange.

We cover:

🧾 What Medicaid work requirements could mean for coverage and churn

🏥 Why safety-net and rural hospitals are bracing for impact

💸 How changes to provider taxes and state-directed payments shift funding dynamics

📉 What happens when ACA subsidies start to expire

🧰 Where there may be operational opportunities for coverage tech and patient engagement solutions

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About our guest:

Joseph Mercer - Managing Director, Marwood Group is a senior healthcare policy subject matter expert with Marwood and is the firm leader for healthcare services coverage out of Marwood's Washington DC Office. Additionally, Mr. Mercer operates as a firm leader across Marwood's DC-focused research coverage, policy diligence support and retainer practice offerings. Prior to joining Marwood in 2015, Mr. Mercer worked at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) serving as a Program Analyst at the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO). From his tenure at CMS, Mr. Mercer brings with him substantial expertise covering government health insurance programs with a focus on ACA exchange, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid policy issues and catalysts. Mr. Mercer holds a JD from Washington & Lee University School of Law and a BA in Economics from the College of William and Mary.

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