The Long Run with Luke Timmerman Ep66: Mike Pellini
Apr 5, 2020
In this conversation, Mike Pellini, managing partner at Section 32 and former CEO of Foundation Medicine, dives deep into the world of diagnostic testing, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. He critiques the federal testing failures and discusses the need for a cohesive national framework. Pellini emphasizes the critical yet overlooked role of diagnostic testing in healthcare decision-making and advocates for better recognition and funding. He also highlights logistical challenges and the importance of data aggregation in enhancing public health management.
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Undervalued Diagnostics
- The US historically undervalues diagnostic testing, evidenced by its minimal healthcare spending allocation.
- Despite guiding 70-80% of medical decisions, diagnostics only receive 2-3% of healthcare costs.
Testing Bottlenecks
- COVID-19 testing involves PCR analysis of nasal swab samples, a process familiar to many labs.
- However, logistical and supply chain issues hinder widespread testing despite this simplicity.
Swab Shortage
- A shortage of nasal swabs, a simple component, is significantly affecting COVID-19 testing capacity.
- This highlights the vulnerability of the supply chain's weakest links.