

Tradeoffs
Tradeoffs
Tradeoffs is an award-winning nonprofit news organization on a mission to help America have smarter, more honest health policy conversations.Tradeoffs explores the toughest choices in health care, diving into issues like the cost of care, health equity, insurance, mental health and artificial intelligence. We connect policy to practice, uncovering the data and personal stories that help audiences understand the stakes — and the potential solutions.Learn more about us, find transcripts for each episode and additional reporting at https://tradeoffs.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 7, 2023 • 7min
BONUS: The Return of Our Research Newsletter
Meet the man behind our revamped research newsletter bringing you the latest health policy studies, original analysis, interviews with leading researchers and more every Tuesday.Subscribe at tradeoffs.org/researchGuest: Soleil Shah, Research Reporter, TradeoffsWant 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.Follow us on Twitter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 2, 2023 • 14min
SCOTUS Weighs Medicaid Recipients' Right to Sue
Later this year the Supreme Court is set to decide whether to close a legal pathway that Medicaid recipients have used for more than 50 years. This week, we talk with Farah Yousry about the potential consequences of this decision.Guests:Farah Yousry, Health Equity Reporter, Side Effects Public Media Susie Talevski, patientChris Schandevel, Senior Counsel, Alliance Defending FreedomJane Perkins, Litigation Director, National Health Law ProgramLearn 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.Follow us on Twitter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 23, 2023 • 29min
The Push to Bring Medicaid Behind Bars
People leaving jail and prison are at extremely high risk of hospitalization and death. This week, why policymakers from deep blue California to solidly red Utah think bringing Medicaid behind bars could help.Guests:Lee ReedShira Shavit, MD, Professor of Family and Community Medicine, University of California San Francisco; Executive Director, Transitions Clinic NetworkJacey Cooper, Director, California Medicaid ProgramCindy Beane, MSW, LCSW, Commissioner, West Virginia Bureau of Medical ServicesAmy Katzen, JD, MPP, Director of Policy and Strategy, Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human ServicesMike Levine, Medicaid Director, MassHealthDana Flannery, Former Senior Policy Advisor, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment SystemKhalil Cumberbatch, MSW, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Council on Criminal JusticeLearn 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.Follow us on Twitter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 16, 2023 • 16min
Medicare Director Meena Seshamani on CMS' New Drug Pricing Powers
Medicare’s historic plan to slow prescription drug spending is taking shape. Last Thursday federal health officials began detailing how one of two major drug price reforms contained in the Inflation Reduction Act will work and who it will affect. This week, we talk with Medicare director Meena Seshamani about the “opportunity of a lifetime” to put these unprecedented policies into action.Guest:Meena Seshamani, MD, PhD, Director of the Center for Medicare and Deputy Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesLearn 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.Follow us on Twitter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 9, 2023 • 20min
States’ Uphill Battle to Stop Runaway Health Care Costs
One year of health insurance premiums for a family of four now costs as much as a car. Nine states are trying to lower those costs in an aggressive way - by holding hospitals and insurance companies accountable for high spending. In this episode we look to see if any of those efforts have bent the cost curve.Guests: Leemore Dafny, PhD, Harvard University economistMichael Bailit, MBA President and Founder Bailit HealthDavid Seltz, Executive Director Massachusetts Health Policy CommissionAmy Rosenthal, MPH, MPA Executive Director Health Care For AllLearn 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.Follow us on Twitter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 2, 2023 • 23min
One Doctor’s Crusade to Improve Health Literacy
Black Americans report higher levels of mistrust in the health care system than white Americans and suffer worse outcomes in everything from maternal mortality to life expectancy. What if improving health literacy and demystifying health information could be the part of the solution?This week, one doctor’s crusade to help more people understand their own health care and why insurers are starting to buy in.Guests:Lisa Fitzpatrick, MD, MPH, MPA, Founder and CEO, Grapevine HealthKeith Maccannon, Director of Marketing, Outreach and Community Relations, AmeriHealth Caritas District of ColumbiaYvonne Smith, Grapevine ClientKaren Dale, RN, MSN, Market President, AmeriHealth Caritas District of ColumbiaLearn 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.Follow us on Twitter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 27, 2023 • 2min
BONUS: CMS Approves Medicaid Coverage for Inmates
Popping into the feed with a bit of breaking news on a story we've been reporting on for months: For the first time ever, some people incarcerated in jail or prison will have access to Medicaid. We'll have a full episode on this dramatic policy change in February.Sign up for our weekly newsletter to see what research health policy experts are reading right now, plus recommendations from our staff.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift.Follow us on Twitter @tradeoffspod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 26, 2023 • 21min
The End of Humira’s $200 Billion Drug Monopoly
After 20 years, Humira – the best selling drug of all time – is finally facing direct competition. Typically, once generic drugs arrive on a market they dominate sales and deliver big savings. But Humira’s competitors, known as biosimilars, aren’t like most other generics.This week, what makes this prescription drug showdown so unusual – and so important.Guest:Marta Wosińska, PhD, Visiting Fellow, Brookings InstitutionLearn 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.

Jan 19, 2023 • 21min
Three Health Policy Stories to Watch in 2023
A congressional ban on removing anyone from Medicaid will expire early next year. What will happen to people who lose their coverage, and how are states preparing for this unprecedented undertaking?Guests: Elizabeth Nash, Principle Policy Associate, State IssuesCindy Mann, Partner, Manatt Health Rachel Cohrs, Washington Correspondent, STATLearn 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.Follow us on Twitter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 12, 2023 • 2min
Tradeoffs in 2023
We've got a lot to share with you in 2023!We're looking into what might happen to the marketplace as Humira, the best selling prescription drug in history, goes generic; and profile a woman pioneering a new strategy to help people better manage their own health, a strategy that has insurance companies whispering.The FDA has approved another controversial Alzheimer’s drug, Medicare is gearing up to negotiate drug prices, millions of Americans could lose their Medicaid…and, of course, abortion. Tradeoffs is here to take you through the health care year ahead. We’ll explore the policies and programs, and we’ll introduce you to the people whose lives they shape.New episodes start 19 January, 2023!Sign up for our weekly newsletter to see what research health policy experts are reading right now, plus recommendations from our staff.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift.Follow us on Twitter @tradeoffspod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.