MTT #88: Abortion restrictions, PBMs and the rising cost of care

In the latest episode of Medicine: The Truth, Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr return with timely insights on some of the most pressing issues in healthcare today.

From the chilling implications of abortion restrictions on women’s health to the opaque and controversial role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in driving up drug prices, the episode covers a lot of ground.

The conversation kicks off with an update on COVID-19 and the flu season, emphasizing that while hospitalizations remain stable, low vaccination rates may raise concerns in the months ahead. Dr. Pearl also delves into the new abortion laws sweeping the nation, shedding light on tragic cases where legal fears prevent doctors from acting swiftly, endangering women’s lives.

The hosts then dive into the murky world of PBMs, where just three companies control nearly 80% of drug sales in the United States. Pearl explains how PBMs manipulate prices to favor expensive drugs while profiting off hidden rebates, all at the expense of patients and insurers. As legal battles between PBMs and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) unfold, the episode highlights the growing outrage over pharmaceutical price gouging.

Here’s a snapshot of just some topics covered in this episode of Medicine: The Truth:

• COVID-19 and flu season updates
• The dangers posed to women’s health by restrictive abortion laws
• A deep dive into the role of PBMs in the U.S. healthcare system
• Why healthcare costs are projected to rise by 8% next year
• The troubling future of drug pricing in America
• Why more parents aren’t vaccinating their kids
• A surge in at-home diagnostic testing
• The Nobel Prize in chemistry goes to …
• Why 98.6 isn’t the average body temperature
• Superbugs are coming

Join Dr. Pearl and Jeremy Corr as they unravel these complex healthcare challenges and offer insight into the future of medical care in America.

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Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of the new book “ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine“  about the impact of AI on the future of medicine. All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.

Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post MTT #88: Abortion restrictions, PBMs and the rising cost of care appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.