CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. 2026 Healthcare Trends and Predictions
Dec 19, 2025
The hosts dive into the evolving role of AI, discussing its impact on efficiency and potential pitfalls. Affordability takes center stage as they predict it will stretch across various sectors from hospitals to drug pricing. They explore the complexities of drug negotiation and the influence of GLP-1 medications. Additionally, immigration policies are seen as a looming challenge for healthcare access. They conclude by examining the possibilities for a resurgence in value-based care driven by new digital models.
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Episode notes
AI Brings Efficiency And Risk
- AI will deliver real efficiency gains in coding, documentation, triage, and administrative tasks for health systems.
- But AI also risks denying necessary care and causing workforce disruption without a strong safety regime.
Affordability Becomes A National Crisis
- Affordability will move from an exchange subsidy debate to a nationwide concern affecting hospitals, drugs, and premiums.
- Rising hospital costs and sicker patients will push premiums higher and politicize affordability across parties.
Collaborate To Tackle Affordability
- Work with health plans and providers rather than using insurers as scapegoats to tackle affordability.
- Focus reforms on hospitals, providers, drugs, utilization, and administration, not only exchange subsidies.