Fixing Healthcare Podcast

This Halloween-themed episode of Medicine: The Truth finds hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr confronting the real horrors haunting American medicine today. When Corr asks what scares him most, Dr. Pearl doesn’t hesitate: it’s the chaos, confusion and politicization that have replaced science and reason. From vaccine policy to drug and insurance pricing to Medicaid cuts, Pearl explains how bad decisions by government and industry leaders are endangering lives. The conversation begins with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s newly appointed vaccine advisory committee, whose erratic decisions could jeopardize national immunization efforts and patient trust. It moves quickly to Donald Trump’s claim that Tylenol use during pregnancy causes autism. Pearl explains why the claim is biologically implausible, breaks down the real risks of acetaminophen overdose, and warns of the harm caused when political figures replace data with personal belief. The hosts then turn to Mississippi’s infant mortality crisis, where a lack of OB-GYNs and the state’s refusal to expand Medicaid have pushed death rates to record highs. It’s a chilling illustration, Pearl says, of what happens when ideology trumps compassion. From there, the episode moves through a series of pressing stories: Affordable Care Act turmoil: Subsidies that keep exchange plans affordable are set to expire, threatening coverage for millions and sending premiums soaring by up to 15%. Private equity in emergency rooms: A new study shows higher mortality rates in PE-owned hospitals, where cost-cutting has replaced patient safety. A new oral GLP-1 pill: Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss drug could improve convenience but only if pricing reflects fairness, not greed. Cardiovascular disease data: Despite progress, heart disease remains America’s top killer, with worsening risk factors across income groups. Generic approval for mifepristone: The FDA’s move to expand access to abortion medication marks a rare policy victory for evidence-based care. Music as medicine: Brazilian researchers find that music before heart imaging reduces anxiety and lowers blood pressure (an example of low-cost care with real impact). HPV-linked cancer breakthrough: New AI-driven blood tests may detect head and neck cancers years before symptoms arise. Obesity and cancer: Death rates tied to obesity have quadrupled in two decades, rising fastest among women and rural Americans. As the episode continues, Dr. Pearl highlights grim data on America’s declining health outcomes compared to other wealthy nations, the spread of Chagas disease across U.S. states, and the crushing cost of employer-based insurance. Together, these stories reveal a nation spending more, living shorter and losing faith in its medical institutions. A scary story, indeed. * * * 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 #99: The frightening state of U.S. medicine as politics replace science appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

Dr. Danielle Jones, known as Mama Dr. Jones, is a popular OB-GYN and social media educator who shares vital health information. In a vibrant conversation, she tackles widespread misinformation about birth control, infertility, and HPV vaccines. Dr. Jones emphasizes the importance of comprehensive sex education and improving medical training to discuss sexuality openly. She contrasts the healthcare approaches of New Zealand and the U.S., while sharing her journey from Texas to New Zealand, advocating for accessible and evidence-based sexual health conversation.

In this revealing episode of Unfiltered, cohosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr sit down with cardiologist Dr. Jonathan Fisher to explore a hidden source of suffering in modern medicine: imposter syndrome. Together, Pearl and Fisher take a vulnerable and nuanced look at the internal doubts that haunt even the most accomplished clinicians. Drawing on Fisher’s research and personal experience, the pair examine how imposter syndrome takes root during medical training and grows amid hierarchical workplaces, unrealistic expectations and a culture of stoicism. Left unaddressed, it can lead to shame, fear and isolation —emotions that rarely surface in traditional conversations about burnout. Throughout the episode, Fisher and Pearl describe the difference between healthy humility and harmful self-doubt. They consider how training environments, competitive mindsets and systemic pressures may perpetuate imposter feelings. They also reflect on how leaders and organizations can help create psychological safety by sharing personal struggles, reframing failure and building community. More than a psychological phenomenon, imposter syndrome offers a lens through which to understand the broader crisis of physician wellbeing. As Dr. Fisher notes, combating it starts with telling the truth and making space for others to do the same. For more 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 #189: Diving deep into imposter syndrome in medicine appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

The podcast dives into the growing generational divide in healthcare, focusing on why Gen Z and Millennials are shifting away from traditional doctors. Distrust and outdated communication methods drive these younger patients towards digital solutions. The discussion also explores how generative AI is changing the landscape, enabling patients to engage more deeply in their healthcare. With AI potentially triaging symptoms and aiding in chronic condition management, the future of patient care could look very different if physicians adapt to these changes.

In this episode of Medicine: The Truth, Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr dig into growing public distrust in the two government agencies charged with protecting Americans’ health: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Recent shakeups, including the resignation of top leaders and staff reductions, highlight just how politicized these organizations have become. Pearl doesn’t mince words. He calls the situation “chaotic and unscientific,” warning that the politicization of vaccine policy under the Kennedy administration could undermine decades of scientific progress and further erode public trust in medical guidance. He walks listeners through what changed, why it matters and what might happen next—including how states and medical societies are beginning to defy federal policy by issuing their own vaccine recommendations. Other key topics discussed: New vaccine restrictions under RFK Jr.: COVID vaccines now limited to high-risk individuals under 65, with added barriers for children under 18. Loss of expert oversight: RFK Jr. fired all 17 members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel, replacing them with politically aligned individuals, some lacking immunization expertise. Fragmented guidance: For the first time in 30 years, national medical societies have issued their own vaccine guidelines that contradict CDC policy. mRNA research halted: A $500M grant program supporting mRNA vaccine innovation has been canceled, threatening progress in cancer, autoimmune disease and rare conditions. A clear explainer on mRNA tech: Pearl delivers a step-by-step explanation of how mRNA vaccines are developed and why they’re safer, faster and potentially life-saving in pandemics and cancer prevention. RFK Jr.’s false claims: Pearl debunks Kennedy’s assertion that mRNA vaccines are the “deadliest ever made,” calling it one of the most unscientific claims in recent memory. Draft autism report warning: Pearl criticizes an upcoming government report on autism that he expects will repackage discredited vaccine-autism links. Food industry appeasement: The “Make America Healthy Again” agenda is criticized for lacking concrete actions on nutrition policy, instead promising more studies of already well-documented problems. Medicare funding risks: If federal deficits continue, automatic cuts could slash Medicare by $500B between 2027–2034, which would further destabilize the system. Price transparency report: A new analysis from Trilliant Health reveals 9-to-1 variation in what insurers pay for the same surgery, even within the same state or hospital. Tech & dementia risk: A meta-analysis of 37 studies finds that older adults using smartphones, computers and the internet may have a reduced risk of cognitive decline, possibly due to reduced social isolation. Stalking & heart disease: Women who are stalked or file restraining orders have a significantly higher risk of heart attacks and strokes (up to 70% more) due to prolonged stress and fear. Flu shots & allergies: A listener asks about egg allergy risk. Pearl reassures listeners that even in patients with anaphylaxis history, flu vaccines are safe and strongly recommended. HPV awareness gap: More than one-third of U.S. adults haven’t heard of HPV, and over half don’t know it causes oral and cervical cancer—despite a highly effective vaccine. Child mortality shame:S. babies and children are nearly twice as likely to die before adulthood compared to peers in other wealthy nations. Screwworm fly case: A Maryland man becomes the first confirmed U.S. case this year after travel to El Salvador. Pearl explains the biology behind this gruesome but rare parasite. Tune in to hear Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr cut through the noise with their signature mix of clarity, candor and evidence-based analysis. Once again, the duo exposes misinformation, challenges political spin and helps listeners make sense of what’s really going on. * * * 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 #98: Can patients and doctors still trust the CDC, FDA? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In this candid episode of Unfiltered, cohosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr sit down with cardiologist Dr. Jonathan Fisher to examine why so many clinicians feel trapped between rising bureaucracy and shrinking autonomy. Together, they detail what it will take to build a system that serves both patients and physicians. Drawing on Fisher’s experiences in small private practice and in a large health system, the trio explores RVUs and metric overload, private equity’s growing footprint and the treadmill effect driving burnout. They then turn to solutions: team-based care, capitation/value-based models and new primary-care designs (from direct primary care to micro-IPAs). In the second half of the episode, the conversation widens from lifespan and health span to “joy span,” arguing for practical, low-cost ways to strengthen social connection, meaning and wellbeing without overburdening clinicians. Later, a listener question prompts a timely discussion of Gen Z and younger millennials who avoid traditional primary care, and how medicine must adapt communication, access and expectations to meet people where they are. For more 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 #187: Autonomy, burnout & the future of medical care appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

FHC #186: From rare diseases to rural America, Optum’s CEO talks healthcare’s future In this special return to Season 10, which focused on transformative technologies in medicine, Fixing Healthcare hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr interview Dr. Patrick Conway, CEO of Optum, a $250 billion division of UnitedHealth Group. A pediatrician and former CMS leader, Dr. Conway has spent his career driving innovation at the intersection of medicine, policy and business. Conway argues that healthcare stands on the brink of a transformation driven by artificial intelligence, breakthrough therapies, prevention strategies and big data analytics. As CEO of Optum (one of the most influential players in U.S. medicine, employing over 310,000 people worldwide), Conway explains how his organization is using technology and integration to improve quality, lower costs and expand equity. Here are five key insights from the episode: AI will be like the internet: changing everything. Conway predicts generative AI will rapidly move beyond administrative tasks into clinical decision-making, diagnosis and personalized training for physicians. He shares a story of diagnosing a child’s rare disorder and imagines how AI could make such insights instantaneous for every doctor. Prevention is the ultimate cost-saver. Chronic disease prevention, he says, is America’s greatest healthcare challenge. Apps, gamification and continuous monitoring could replace the outdated “come back in four months” model. Managing hypertension and diabetes in real time could radically lower costs and improve lives. Big data enables personalized care at scale. Optum uses analytics to stratify patients (such as “dual eligibles” living with multiple chronic conditions) and deliver tailored interventions at home. Conway recounts how one 91-year-old patient, once hospitalized eight times a year, went to zero admissions after joining Optum at Home. Value-based care must expand faster. Optum already assumes full financial risk for 5 million patients, but Conway argues the majority of Americans deserve this model. Capitation aligns incentives around outcomes, quality and cost, and generative AI could accelerate its adoption, even in rural communities. Drug costs remain unsustainable. Here, Conway is blunt. U.S. drug prices are too high, with GLP-1 drugs costing eight to 10 times more than abroad. Optum has committed to 100% rebate pass-through. It has also eliminated many prior authorizations and shifted its entire pharmacy business to lower-cost generics and biosimilars. After the interview, Dr. Pearl tells Corr that he was struck by the Optum CEO’s optimism about generative AI and its role in reshaping healthcare, noting that Conway sees beyond administrative savings to its potential for improving clinical outcomes and managing chronic disease. Pearl noted Conway’s clear commitment to capitation and value-based care; what Pearl called his “North Star.” Pearl concluded that Conway is a mission-driven leader, highly capable of pushing UnitedHealth Group to accelerate change, and urged him to move faster than feels comfortable in scaling prevention, AI and integrated care. * * * 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 FHC #186: Optum CEO on AI, big data & preventing disease appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

The discussion delves into the alarming trends threatening the U.S. healthcare system, including rising costs, physician burnout, and dwindling solutions. Experts analyze the potential for economic collapse and the role of private equity in cost-cutting. The conversation also shifts to how generative AI could revolutionize patient care, exploring two paths: tech startups with FDA-approved tools and clinicians empowering patients through existing AI models. Both approaches aim to enhance outcomes while addressing the current medical landscape's challenges.

In this episode of Medicine: The Truth, Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr cover a whirlwind of headlines, from a White House push to tie U.S. drug prices to wealthy-nation benchmarks (with tariff threats) to a Big Tech pledge to make medical records truly interoperable. They also unpack what ACA exchange enrollees should expect in 2026 as cost-sharing subsidies teeter and insurers file double-digit premium hikes. On care delivery, the hosts examine the direct primary care + HSA shift: what it could improve, and where it might widen disparities. They then turn to the FDA’s accelerated approvals, gene-therapy turmoil and why scientific independence matters. Other key topics discussed: Kids’ health: Hand-foot-and-mouth disease basics (spread, home care, when to call) and a rare, deadly flu-related encephalopathy — another reason childhood flu vaccination matters. Cancer prevention: How hepatitis B/C control, metabolic health and alcohol use drive (and can prevent) liver cancer. Exercise clarity: Why 7,000 steps/day delivers nearly all the health gains long credited to 10,000. Lyme 101: Ticks, timelines, treatment (and why prompt checks for bites are protective). Pharma’s DTC pivot: Drugmakers selling directly via telemedicine, and what that means for GLP-1 access and brand bias. Rural stability: A new $50B Rural Health Fund aimed at offsetting Medicaid-related shortfalls for hospitals. Maternal health: 56% of new moms miss recommended postpartum visits, even as one-third of maternal deaths occur after discharge. CTE explainer: What we know (and don’t) about repetitive head trauma and long-term brain disease. * * * 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 #97: Drug prices, Big Tech EHR promises & the 7,000-step surprise appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In the first episode of Fixing Healthcare’s 11th season, cohosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr speak with Dr. Uché Blackstock, an emergency physician, bestselling author and health equity expert. This season turns the spotlight on voices from social media, offering insights into what patients actually want from the U.S. healthcare system. Dr. Blackstock (whose online following is both massive and deeply engaged) shares the concerns she hears most often: fears about rising insurance premiums, confusion around preventive screenings and frustration with a system that feels inaccessible, dismissive or even dangerous for many women and people of color. Dr. Blackstock is the founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity and author of Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine, a memoir that blends personal history with data and policy analysis. In her conversation with Dr. Pearl and Jeremy Corr, she highlights several ways the U.S. healthcare system must change to better serve all patients: Bridging The Access Gap Dr. Blackstock discusses the urgent need to expand access to preventive care, particularly for groups at higher risk of being overlooked or underserved. She emphasizes the role of health literacy, equitable coverage, and primary care investment in closing these gaps, especially in communities where hospitals and clinics remain out of reach. Rebuilding Trust From maternal mortality to COVID response, Dr. Blackstock explains how structural racism, sexist bias and historical injustice continue to shape patient outcomes. She urges clinicians and institutions to take these realities seriously, listen more closely to patients’ concerns and build relationships rooted in dignity and respect. Rethinking The System Itself Rather than settle for incremental fixes, Dr. Blackstock calls for a complete overhaul of American medicine. She argues we must reduce administrative waste, center community-based care, and treat universal access to healthcare as a moral and civic imperative. She believes Gen Z, with its strong values, optimism and technological fluency, may be the generation to lead that change. Throughout the episode, the conversation returns to a central question: What does it mean to be seen, heard and cared for in today’s healthcare system. And how can we ensure everyone receives that kind of care? Tune in for the full interview and join the conversation on social media. * * * 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 FHC #184: Dr. Uché Blackstock on racism, sexism and fixing medicine appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.