Fixing Healthcare Podcast

In this episode of Medicine: The Truth, co-hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr examine a wide range of healthcare headlines. From the Supreme Court’s ruling on preventive care to heat-related deaths, experimental diabetes treatments and the continued unaffordability of life-saving drugs, this episode focuses on biggest stories in medicine today. It opens with a breakdown of the Supreme Court’s recent 6–3 decision on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV. While the ruling preserves access to services recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, Pearl warns that it introduces new risks. “When politics or finances enter the healthcare world, clinical outcomes suffer,” says Pearl. He draws parallels to the ousting of experts on the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel and highlights the danger of eroding scientific independence. Pearl then turns to a longstanding pain point in American healthcare: prior authorization. While insurer companies claim this process guarantees safe, necessary care, studies show it often delays treatment or leads patients to abandon care altogether. Despite new promises from more than 50 insurers to streamline their processes by 2027, Pearl offers words of caution. “Although this pledge sounds like a major commitment, clinicians remain doubtful Clinicians remain doubtful … And, of course, 2027 is two years away.” Other key topics discussed in this episode include: Statin underuse: Research shows that prescribing statins to all eligible Americans could prevent 39,000 deaths and 165,000 major cardiac events annually, saving up to $25 billion a year. CT scan overuse: New data show that frequent surveillance scans for cancer recurrence do not improve survival and may lead to physical, psychological and financial harm. Cancer screening clarity: Only four cancers (breast, lung, cervical and colorectal) have strong evidence supporting screening. For the rest, benefits remain unproven or may be outweighed by risks. Colon cancer detection: FIT tests are as effective as colonoscopy in low-risk patients, especially those ages 40–49. Yet screening rates remain far too low. Heat-related health threats: Climate-driven “heat domes” pose rising risks to children, the elderly and patients with chronic disease. New HIV drug dilemma: The FDA approved an injectable PrEP option with a near-perfect success rate. However, at a staggering $28,000+ annual cost, it may remain out of reach for most. FDA under scrutiny: Accelerated approvals are allowing high-cost drugs to enter the market despite safety concerns. Pearl discusses the recent deaths of two children treated with a $3.2 million drug for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Experimental type 1 diabetes cure: A new stem cell therapy enabled 10 out of 12 patients to stop insulin injections. But lifelong immunosuppression and likely high costs may limit uptake. Autism breakthrough: New genetic analysis identifies four distinct ASD subtypes, helping pave the way for earlier diagnosis and personalized support strategies. Alarming pediatric trends: Childhood obesity and mental health issues have risen sharply in the last 17 years. Climate change is also driving a spike in tick-related illnesses in children. Obesity science simplified: A global study confirms it’s not lack of exercise driving obesity—it’s excess calories, particularly from ultra-processed, high-fat foods. The episode closes with a hard truth: U.S. healthcare spending is expected to exceed 20% of GDP by 2033. “Despite spending more, we’re not seeing improvements in outcomes,” Pearl says. He promises to revisit this issue in a future episode of Diving Deep. * * * 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 #96: Cancer confusion, obesity clarity & a $3M drug failure appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In this enlightening discussion, the hosts reflect on the transformative impacts of generative AI in healthcare. They highlight how AI advancements could revolutionize diagnostics and patient care, moving from reactive to proactive approaches. The conversation tackles the integration of telemedicine and consumer-centric technology, empowering patients and streamlining processes. Concerns about data privacy are also addressed, emphasizing the need for robust safeguards. Overall, the exploration of AI's potential suggests a future filled with innovative solutions to pressing healthcare challenges.

In this introspective episode of Unfiltered, cohosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr sit down once again with cardiologist Dr. Jonathan Fisher to explore the emotional and psychological dimensions of medical treatment — this time from the perspective of a physician as a patient. Prompted by Dr. Fisher’s own recent orthopedic surgery, the discussion examines the complexities and uncertainties patients face when deciding on medical interventions. Fisher candidly shares his reflections on the importance of setting clear expectations, the role of empathy in patient care, and the profound isolation and vulnerability experienced during his own recovery. The episode expands into a broader dialogue about hope, optimism and honesty in medical care, particularly in oncology. Pearl and Fisher debate the balance between providing realistic expectations and maintaining patient optimism, highlighting how the right mindset can significantly influence healing and recovery. Finally, in response to a listener’s thoughtful question, the hosts explore how medical specialties metaphorically influence a physician’s worldview and approach to patient care, underscoring the profound interplay between personal experience and professional practice. For more candid, unfiltered conversation, listen to the full episode and explore these related resources: ‘Just One Heart’ (Jonathan Fisher’s newest book) ‘ChatGPT, MD’ (Robert Pearl’s newest book) Monthly Musings on American Healthcare (Robert Pearl’s newsletter) * * * Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple Podcasts or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn. The post FHC #181: When the doctor becomes the patient appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In this episode of Fixing Healthcare’s “Diving Deep,” co-hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr examine two pressing healthcare issues through thoughtful Q&A: the impact of Trump’s healthcare promises on policy and the hidden psychological bias that impedes everything from tariff decisions to chronic disease management. First, the hosts discuss President Donald Trump’s bold healthcare promises, including significantly lowering prescription drug prices, reversing chronic diseases and leveraging generative AI to transform American medicine. With midterm elections looming, Pearl emphasizes the urgency for real policy action rather than rhetoric. On drug pricing, he notes the significant legislative and regulatory hurdles facing Trump’s proposed solutions, such as Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) pricing. Regarding food quality and obesity, Pearl addresses RFK Jr.’s criticism of ultra-processed foods and urges the administration to move beyond symbolic reports to concrete policies, including front-of-package labeling, taxation of unhealthy foods, and stricter food additive regulations. Additionally, Pearl highlights the administration’s enthusiasm for generative AI, advocating for real-world applications to manage chronic conditions and enhance diagnostic accuracy, while cautioning against potential disconnects caused by outdated FDA processes and insufficient investment in innovation. Later in the episode, the hosts delve into the hidden psychological traps impacting chronic disease management, particularly the Dunning-Kruger effect, a cognitive bias causing individuals to overestimate their competence. Pearl explains how this bias affects healthcare providers, resulting in clinical inertia, where doctors overestimate their control over patients’ chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. This often leads to inadequate disease management and avoidable complications like heart attacks and strokes. Pearl suggests several strategies for overcoming this bias, including objective self-assessment against national benchmarks, proactive investigation of treatment gaps, and the use of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT to enhance patient engagement and clinical responsiveness. This episode of “Diving Deep” underscores the importance of transitioning from political and professional promises to tangible healthcare improvements, highlighting both the potential and pitfalls in current healthcare strategies. HELPFUL LINKS Talk Is Cheap: Now Trump Must Deliver On His Healthcare Promises (Forbes) The Hidden Link Between Tariffs, Vaccines, Chronic Disease (Forbes) Monthly Musings on American Healthcare (Robert Pearl’s newsletter) * * * Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of “ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American 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 or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn. The post FHC #180: Diving Deep into healthcare politics & the biases blocking chronic disease care appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

With Dr. Robert Pearl traveling abroad this week to keynote a major conference on patient data transparency, the Fixing Healthcare team is revisiting one of its most popular episodes: an Unfiltered conversation with Dr. Zubin Damania (aka ZDoggMD), originally recorded three years ago in the lead-up to Independence Day. At the time of the recording, America was grappling with the aftermath of a deadly mass shooting at the Highland Park parade in Illinois. Cohost Jeremy Corr, near the end of the episode, asks Drs. Pearl and Damania how America — despite its ideals of freedom and democracy — continues to struggle with societal divides, mental illness and isolation. Corr drew on a quote from founding father Thomas Jefferson to set the stage: “Yes, we did produce a near-perfect republic. But will they keep it? Or will they, in the enjoyment of plenty, lose the memory of freedom? Material abundance without character is the surest way to destruction.” In his response, and throughout the episode, Dr. Damania emphasizes that the key to overcoming these challenges lies in embracing authenticity, promoting community connection, and helping people discover and realize their purpose. “We have a crisis of meaning. And the question we ought to be really trying to process is how do we bring back a sense of meaning?” Damania argues passionately for authenticity in medicine, believing that openness, transparency, and emotional honesty are vital for both patient care and physician satisfaction. As the Fourth of July approaches once again, this replay encourages listeners to reflect on how authentic relationships and a commitment to community can enhance not only medical care but societal cohesion overall. Tune in for a thought-provoking reminder of how fostering authenticity and empathy can strengthen medicine and our broader society. * * * Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple Podcasts or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn. The post FHC #179: An unfiltered look back at independence, authenticity in medicine appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

The podcast dives into the clash between politics and science in vaccine recommendations, spotlighting the contentious remarks from Robert Kennedy Jr. about COVID boosters. It highlights alarming healthcare costs, now averaging $35,000 for families, and the disproportionate rise against wages. On a brighter note, research reveals that structured exercise significantly improves cancer survival rates. Other discussions include the success of RSV vaccines reducing infant hospitalizations and the financial burdens of opioid addiction, showcasing the ongoing healthcare challenges and innovations.

In this thought-provoking episode of Unfiltered, cohosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr sit down with cardiologist and physician well-being advocate Dr. Jonathan Fisher to explore the intersection of stress, gender and modern medicine—beginning with the surprising physiology of a literal broken heart. Timed with Father’s Day, the conversation opens with reflections on masculinity and caregiving before pivoting into a deep dive on stress-induced cardiomyopathy (aka: “broken heart” syndrome). Dr. Fisher explains why this life-threatening condition disproportionately affects women, and why men, when they do suffer it, are twice as likely to die. From there, the trio tackles mounting clinician stress, rising misinformation in the exam room and the role of AI in spreading fabricated claims. Throughout the episode, they examine the emotional toll carried by women in medicine, the persistence of diagnostic gender bias and the erosion of trust in clinical expertise. As always, the episode ends with a thoughtful patient-centered question from Jeremy, this time about how clinicians and caregivers cope with emotional trauma and whether it’s healthier to compartmentalize or seek support from loved ones. For more candid, unfiltered conversation, listen to the full episode and explore these related resources: ‘Just One Heart’ (Jonathan Fisher’s newest book) ‘ChatGPT, MD’ (Robert Pearl’s newest book) Monthly Musings on American Healthcare (Robert Pearl’s newsletter) * * * Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple Podcasts or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn. The post FHC #178: Dying of a broken heart, literally appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

Dr. Maria Ansari discusses AI's transformative potential in healthcare, focusing on workforce shortages and the need for automated solutions. She highlights how generative AI helps doctors reduce documentation time, enabling them to prioritize patient care. With predictive analytics, the conversation addresses the challenges posed by an aging population and rising healthcare costs. The talk also explores AI's role in personalized treatments and enhancing heart failure management through home monitoring, marking a shift towards preventative care.

The discussion dives into the early impacts of Trump's presidency on healthcare, comparing it to Obama's focus on access expansion. Key healthcare reforms and potential Medicaid changes set the stage for an uncertain future. On a futuristic note, the conversation explores the imminent rise of artificial general intelligence (AGI) in medicine, potentially reshaping clinical decision-making and patient care. The hosts underscore the need for healthcare professionals to adapt and rethink their roles in a world where AI becomes a key medical partner.

A major measles outbreak in Texas tops 1,000 cases, marking the worst resurgence since 2000. Falling vaccination rates risk tens of thousands of preventable deaths. Meanwhile, soaring drug prices threaten access to life-saving medications as tariffs mount. Positive developments include a study indicating shingles vaccination may lower dementia risk by 20%. Despite challenges, opioid-related deaths are declining due to increased availability of treatments like naloxone. Discussions also cover the quest for universal antivenom and innovations in accessible healthcare.