CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered.

Send us a textConcerns are growing in Terre Haute, Indiana, following the recent merger of two major hospitals. In Q1 2024 alone, hospital mergers and acquisitions hit their highest level since 2020, with 20 deals totaling $12 billion, according to Kaufman Hall. But what does this wave of consolidation mean for patients and the healthcare industry at large?In this episode of CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered., hosts David E. Williams and John Driscoll explore the far-reaching implications of this merger and similar trends shaping healthcare across the nation.TOPICS:0:54 Why What's Going on in Terre Haute Matters"2:05 The Rising Number of Medical Consolidations"3:35 Why Medical Monopolies Are Concerning"4:59 What Is COPA?"6:04 How Hospitals Are Adapting and Changing"8:50 Are There Any Benefits to Consolidation?"14:45 Explaining the Terre Haute Merger"16:10 Are Mergers Worse for Patients?"🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy. GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsletterShop official CareTalk merchFOLLOW CARETALKSpotifyApple Podcasts#healthcarepodcast #healthcare #hospitals #medicalgroups #mergers #accesstocare #patientcareSupport the show⚙️CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

Send us a textAre stem-cell treatments the future of self-therapy and regenerative medicine?Or is there something better?In the latest episode of HealthBiz Briefs, host, David Williams, is joined by Pete O’Heeron, CEO of Fibrobiologics, explores the untapped potential of fibroblasts and their promise as a potentially superior and more affordable alternative to traditional stem-cell treatments.🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy. 🎙️⚕️ABOUT PETE O'HEERONPete O'Heeron, an esteemed biopharma inventor, boasts over 300 patents in biologics, cell therapy, and medical devices. With 25+ years of expertise, he leads FibroBiologics as CEO, driving its emergence as a global leader in fibroblast-based cell therapies for chronic diseases. Previously, he founded Advanced Medical Technologies, identifying early-stage medical opportunities, and NeoSurg Technologies, known for the T2000 Minimally Invasive Access System sold to Cooper Surgical in 2006. With executive roles at Christus Health Care Corporation, strategic advisory, and academic background, including degrees from Texas State University, University of Houston Clear Lake, and University of Chicago,GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsletterShop official CareTalk merchFOLLOW CARETALKSpotifyApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsFollow us on LinkedIn#healthcarepodcast #healthcare #fibroblasts #fibroblastresearch #stemcells #stemcelltreatments #medicalbreakthroughsSupport the show⚙️CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

Send us a textJust a few short years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc across the globe, leaving economies in tatters, claiming millions of lives, and fundamentally altering the world as we knew it. Yet, scarcely after the dust settled from that crisis, virologists are now raising urgent concerns.The specter of the bird flu looms large as it breaches the species barrier, with an alarming number of cows falling victim, and a recent human transmission case being confirmed.With a nearly 50% mortality rate according to Yale Medicine, the bird flu is making global headlines.In the face of these developments, the question begs: how concerned should we be?In this episode of CareTalk, guest, Rick Bright (Former Head of BARDA) delves into the escalating fears surrounding a potential new pandemic and the tangible threats posed by the bird flu.TOPICS(2:14) The last pandemic and sounding the alarm on Covid (5:41) What is the bird flu?(10:12) Why should Americans care about the bird flu?(13:16) Who's most at risk for contracting the bird flu?(15:48) How viruses and the bird flu evolve(17:55) Can we prevent the next pandemic?(20:44) The dangers of a slow response to bird flu(23:13) Screening and testing for the bird flu(25:06) How worried should we be about the bird flu?🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy. 🎙️⚕️ABOUT RICK BRIGHTRick A. Bright, PhD, serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Pandemic Prevention Institute at The Rockefeller Foundation. With a background in immunology and virology, he has spearheaded the development of numerous drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics. Prior to his current role, Bright held prominent positions such as Director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He has also contributed his expertise as a member of the Biden-Harris Transition COVID-19 Advisory Board. In addition, Bright is recognized as a Senior Fellow of the Foreign Policy Association and serves on the Executive Board of the International Science Reserve.GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsletterShop official CareTalk merchFOLLOW CARETALKSpotifyApple Podcasts#healthcarepodcast #pandemic #publichealth #birdflu #covid #covid19 #pandemicpreparedness Support the show⚙️CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

Send us a textThe healthcare system is in freefall with rising costs, worse care, and frayed patient-provider relationships.Is value-based care the cure?In the latest episode of HealthBiz Briefs, guest Emily Young, President of Tufts Medicine, and Courtney Fortner, President and CEO of Navvis, detail how their partnership is expanding value-based care with an eye on improving quality, affordability, and experience.🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy. 🎙️⚕️ABOUT EMILY YOUNGEmily Young, President of Tufts Medicine Integrated Network, boasts over two decades of healthcare management experience. She's a results-driven executive with a knack for strategic thinking and fostering innovation through physician collaboration. Prior to her current role, Emily served as Vice President of Population Health and Transformation at Circle Health/Lowell General Hospital. There, she spearheaded the organization's transition to value-based care, optimized provider performance, and crafted a robust population health strategy, setting the stage for comprehensive care delivery.🎙️⚕️ABOUT COURTNEY FORTNERCourtney Fortner, a forward-thinking healthcare innovator, drives transformative solutions for health systems, physician enterprises, and health plans. As Navvis’ President and CEO, she's committed to revolutionizing healthcare nationwide, prioritizing physician-led, patient-centric care.Before Navvis, Courtney excelled at Northeast Georgia Health System and Evolent Health. Her roles spanned patient care, where she implemented a Patient-Centered Medical Home model, achieving Level 3 NCQA accreditation, and served as a patient advocate in the emergency department. At Evolent Health, she further honed her leadership in driving healthcare transformation and operational excellence.GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsletterShop official CareTalk merchFOLLOW CARETALKSpotifyApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsFollow us on LinkedIn#healthcarepodcast #healthcare #valuebasedcare #patientprovider #medicalcosts #medicalservices #accesstocareSupport the show⚙️CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

Send us a textPhysicians are increasingly leveraging social media platforms like TikTok, X, and Facebook to share their insights and opinions.Alongside this trend, there's a clear uptick in doctors endorsing new pharmaceuticals and medical tools through their social media handles.But amidst this influence, questions arise:Are doctors being compensated for their endorsements? And can we trust their intentions? TOPICS(1:08) Can you buy a doctor's endorsement?(2:30) Big Pharma's influence on the medical field(7:30) How Pharma is leveraging doctors to endorse drugs on social media(9:19) Disclosure and conflict of interest in healthcare(11:00) Is there any system in place to guardrail the influence of social media?(14:41) Has transparency in healthcare been helpful?🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Senior Advisor, Walgreens Health) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy. GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsletterShop official CareTalk merchFOLLOW CARETALKSpotifyApple Podcasts#healthcare #healthcarepolicy #healthcarebusiness #healthcaretechnology  #healthinsurance #pharma #socialmedia #x Support the show⚙️CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

Send us a textTravis Morgan (President and CFO, DecisionRX) delves into the underlying reason for soaring costs and medication failures.🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Senior Advisor, Walgreens Health) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy. 🎙️⚕️ABOUT TRAVIS MORGANTravis is an entrepreneurial private equity operating executive with 25 years of diverse success in building companies, creating jobs, and realizing shareholder value. Directly responsible for 18 capital infusions into 12 different operating companies, serving as the full-time President or CFO of 7 of those portfolio companies. Over $180 million in career-to-date capital transactions closed, including three liquidity events with publicly traded firms. Considerable lower-middle-market executive leadership experience with a strong emphasis on accounting, finance, ERP Implementation, bank/ investor relations, and operations. Demonstrated success navigating challenges associated with start-ups, turnarounds, changing government regulations, and rapid growth. Proven ability to make complex decisions and drive implementation through highly empowered cross-functional teams.GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsletterShop official CareTalk merchFOLLOW CARETALKSpotifyApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsFollow us on LinkedIn#healthcare #healthcaretechnology #healthcarebusiness #healthcarepodcast #genetics #genetherapy # pharmasuticals #bigpharma #medicinecostsSupport the show⚙️CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

Send us a textAnxiety and depression in the US have surged, and consequently, poor sleep habits have increased as well.According to Gallup, over 17% of Americans report depression, and the Sleep Health Foundation states that up to 40% of those individuals also suffer from insomnia.Getting help is harder than ever, due to caregiver shortages, soaring costs, and persistent social stigma.But what if an app could help?While smartphones are often criticized for their negative impact on sleep and mental health, Calm is reshaping that narrative.Originally conceptualized as a meditation app, Calm has swiftly expanded its offerings to address a spectrum of issues from insomnia to mental health, amassing over 160 million users.In our latest episode, David E. Williams and John Driscoll are joined by David Ko, CEO of Calm, to explore how his company seamlessly integrates meditation, sleep, and mental health solutions directly into your smartphone.TOPICS(3:57) Applying gamification to healthcare engagement(8:30) How do you even begin to tackle a problem as big as mental health?(9:17) The importance of brands in healthcare(11:21) What is Calm and how did it start? (16:43) Is there a good rationale for an employer to be managing stress and reducing burnout?(18:18) What role can Calm play in helping people reduce anxiety and depression? (21:59) Key takeaways from Calm and Harvard Business Review’s joint study(24:09) Has Mental Health Awareness Month been successful?🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Senior Advisor, Walgreens Health) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy. 🎙️⚕️ABOUT DAVID KODavid is the CEO of Calm, a top app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation, where he also sits on the Board of Directors. Before joining Calm, David co-founded and served as CEO of Ripple Health Group, a health tech company acquired by Calm in 2022. Under his leadership, Calm launched Calm Health, a mental health care solution aimed at payers, providers, and self-insured employers, bridging the gap between mental and physical health care.Prior to founding Ripple Health Group, David was a Board Member, President, and COO of Rally Health, a digital health company. Rally’s solutions serve nearly 55 million people through health plans, care providers, and over 200,000 employers. In 2017, Rally was acquired by UnitedHealth Group.GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsletterShop official CareTalk merchFOLLOW CARETALKSpoSupport the show⚙️CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

Send us a textSarah Emond (President and CEO, ICER) delves into the efficacy of gene therapy in enhancing patient outcomes and discusses the necessary adjustments the healthcare industry must make to accommodate the cost.🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Senior Advisor, Walgreens Health) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy. 🎙️⚕️ABOUT SARAH K. EMOND, MPPWith 25 years of experience in the business and policy of health care, Sarah leads the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review, a leading non-profit health policy research organization, as President and Chief Executive Officer.  She joined ICER in 2009 as its first Chief Operating Officer and third employee, and has worked to grow the organization’s approach, scope, and impact over the years.Prior to joining ICER, Sarah spent time as a communications consultant, with six years in the corporate communications and investor relations department at a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, and several years with a healthcare communications firm.  Sarah began her healthcare career in clinical research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.A graduate of the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, Sarah holds a Master of Public Policy degree with a concentration in health policy. GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsletterShop official CareTalk merchFOLLOW CARETALKSpotifyApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsFollow us on LinkedIn#healthcare #healthcaretechnology #healthcarebusiness #healthcarepodcast #genetherapy #medicaladvancementsSupport the show⚙️CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

Send us a textWith Memorial Day weekend upon us, it's time to dust off those BBQ grills, lace up those hiking boots, and dive into all the fun that comes with the sunny season.But as with all good things in life, the warm weather comes with a few risks.From skin disease to the dangers of heat stroke, summer brings its own set of challenges.TOPICS(2:20) Why sun protection is crucial for skin health(4:22) Debunking the sunscreen and UV ray controversy(6:38) The regulatory differences of sunscreen in the US and Europe(8:51) Skin cancer prevention and risks(10:51) Swimming risks and sun exposure(12:52) Skin issues caused by wearing masks(15:10) The role of advocacy in hospital settings🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Senior Advisor, Walgreens Health) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy. GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsletterShop official CareTalk merchFOLLOW CARETALKSpotifyApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsFollow us on LinkedIn#healthcare #healthcarepolicy #healthcarebusiness #healthcaretechnology  #healthinsurance #summersafety #skindiseases #heatstrokeSupport the show⚙️CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

Send us a textEileen McAnneny (CEO, Employer Coalition on Health) discusses the importance of employers in the healthcare ecosystem and how they play an integral role in access to care.🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Senior Advisor, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy. 🎙️⚕️ABOUT EILEEN MCANNENYEileen currently serves as the President and CEO of the Employer Coalition on Health. She was previously the president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation from 2015 through 2022. McAnneny also played a key role representing employers during the legislative debates that led to the state’s 2006 and 2012 health care reform laws, when she worked as a lobbyist with Associated Industries of Massachusetts.GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsletterShop official CareTalk merchFOLLOW CARETALKSpotifyApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsFollow us on LinkedIn#healthcare #healthcaretechnology #healthcarebusiness #healthcarepodcast #employers #healthcareecosystemSupport the show⚙️CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.