Michael F. Cannon, director of health policy studies at the Cato Institute, shares insightful perspectives on government involvement in healthcare. He explores the origins of medical licensing, arguing it creates monopolies that elevate costs and limit access. Cannon discusses the historical roots of tax breaks for employer-sponsored insurance, emphasizing how these distort markets. The conversation also highlights the impact of FDA regulations on drug safety, and the potential of market innovations like telehealth to improve care accessibility.

Michael Cannon, an expert on health care policy, discusses the growing issue of government overreach in the healthcare sector. He critiques the lack of substantial reform plans from both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, pointing out their failure to address the inefficacy of current government interventions. The conversation dives into the opaque nature of healthcare pricing and the importance of consumer empowerment to foster transparency and lower costs. Cannon emphasizes that without meaningful change, fiscal burdens will only increase.

Brian Blase, chief of Paragon Health Institute, and Michael Cannon from Cato discuss the fiscal challenges of Medicare. They explore funding issues, lobbying dynamics, and propose reforms for cost control and quality care. The podcast highlights the resistance to cutting Medicare spending, misconceptions about the Medicare Trust Fund, and the impact of recent legislation on rising debt levels.