Tradeoffs

Several cities and counties are addressing street homelessness with a new approach, which experts say can clear encampments while protecting the health of people who are forced to move.Guests:Josh Barocas, Associate Professor, University of Colorado Anschutz School of MedicineMarc Dones, Policy Director, Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, University of California San FranciscoRyan Levi, Managing Editor, TradeoffsMatt Mahan, Mayor, City of San JoseJazmine MapesPeter Radu, Neighborhood Services Manager, City of BerkeleyLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Facing mounting financial pressures, insurance companies are changing the prescription drug coverage available to many consumers in Medicare Part D.Guests:Stacie Dusetzina, Professor of Health Policy, Vanderbilt UniversitySteven Hadfield, Medicare beneficiaryMark Newsom, Managing Director, Avalere HealthErin Trish, Co-Director, USC Schaeffer CenterCindy Trish, Medicare beneficiaryLeslie Walker, Senior Reporter, TradeoffsLearn more and read a full transcript on our website. If you know someone on Medicare, please encourage them to give their coverage a closer look before open enrollment ends on Dec. 7! People can find unbiased enrollment counseling through the federal SHIP program or review their options on Medicare.gov.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Higher premiums and penalties have made shopping for Obamacare plans more confusing this year. Federal funding cuts have left consumers in many states with fewer guides to help them navigate their options. “I don’t want people to just feel ghosted,” a West Virginia navigator told Tradeoffs.Guest:Jeremy Smith, director, West Virginia navigator program, First Choice Services.Learn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join physician and New Yorker writer Dhruv Khullar as he navigates the promising yet perilous world of AI in healthcare. He explores how AI can expedite diagnostics but warns of potential dangers, such as cognitive de-skilling and reliance on faulty chatbot advice. Khullar emphasizes using AI as a tool for guidance rather than a definitive source, while highlighting its ability to enhance communication for non-English speakers. He discusses the balance of human judgment with technology's capabilities, urging caution and accountability in AI integration.

Facing unprecedented pressure from the Trump administration, some of the world’s top drugmakers promise to cut prices. But experts say the savings might not be what they seem.Guests:Michael Cannon, Director of Health Policy Studies, Cato InstituteStacie Dusetzina, Professor of Health Policy, Vanderbilt UniversityDarius Lakdawalla, Chief Scientific Officer, USC Schaeffer CenterPete Loftus, Reporter, Wall Street JournalBen Rome, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical SchoolLeslie Walker, Senior Reporter, TradeoffsLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paula Span, a seasoned journalist and The New Old Age columnist for the New York Times, shares her insights on aging and healthcare choices. She discusses how her column evolved from caregiving to encompass broader topics like policy and relationships. Span highlights a Stanford study on the trade-offs of dialysis, emphasizing quality of life. She also offers advice for older patients to advocate for themselves and questions trends in medical interventions. With a focus on improving aging policies, Paula aims to inform and inspire change for a healthier future.

What happens if President Trump cuts billions from research on how to make our health care system work better?Guest(s):Aaron Carroll, President and CEO, Academy HealthStuart Buck, Executive Director, Good Science ProjectLearn more on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been 90 days since Congress passed Trump’s megabill slashing health care spending and reshaping the Medicaid program. States are already knee-deep in dealing with the fallout.Guests:Hemi Tewarson, Executive Director, National Academy for State Health PolicyLeslie Walker, Senior Producer, TradeoffsLearn more on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a lively discussion, Jonathan Gruber, a prominent health economist from MIT, dives into the impact of extended federal support on health insurance accessibility. He highlights how enhanced subsidies have facilitated coverage for millions. The conversation explores potential risks if these subsidies shrink, touching on alarming estimates of uninsured rates. Gruber also discusses the role of state interventions and the consequences of high-deductible plans, while fellow economist Katherine Baicker emphasizes the health benefits of insurance versus its costs.

Prior authorization is a major roadblock for many patients seeking medical care, often delaying crucial treatments like chemotherapy. A caregiver shares her distressing journey through the system's confusion, highlighting the emotional toll. Experts discuss how prior authorization burdens both patients and clinicians, questioning its effectiveness as a cost-control tool. They propose meaningful reforms to streamline the process and reduce administrative burdens, emphasizing that the system should evolve to prioritize patient care.