
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.
Latest episodes

Jan 4, 2024 • 19min
Losing a Hospital
More than 130 hospitals have closed in rural America over the last decade. Reporter Sarah Jane Tribble spent a year embedded in one small Kansas town as they dealt with their own hospital closure.Guest: Sarah Jane Tribble, Senior Correspondent, Kaiser Health NewsRead a transcript of this conversation: https://tradeoffs.org/2020/10/08/losing-a-hospital/Hear more of Sarah Jane's reporting about Fort Scott on the first season of Where It Hurts: whereithurts.show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 28, 2023 • 35min
Presenting STAT’s First Opinion: How Two Abortion Providers Grapple with Their Post-Roe Reality
From where medical students are choosing to train to how doctors are caring for women in reproductive health crises, the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe has had major ripple effects on the field of medicine. In this conversation from our friends at STAT's First Opinion podcast, host Torie Bosch talks with two abortion providers about what it's like to practice medicine in post-Roe America.Learn more and read a full transcript on our website.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift, which for a limited time will be matched! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 snips
Dec 21, 2023 • 25min
One Economist’s Plan to Blow Up America’s Health Insurance System
Economist Amy Finkelstein has studied America’s patchwork of health insurance policies for more than 20 years. In a forthcoming book she concludes it’s time tear the whole system down.This week, Dan talks with Amy about how she came to that conclusion and what a better system could look like. Guest:Amy Finkelstein, PhD, Professor of Economics, MITLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift, which for a limited time will be matched! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 14, 2023 • 28min
Rooting Out Racial Bias in Health Care AI, Part 2
Health care AI expert Emily Sterret discusses the concerns surrounding biased algorithms in health care. The podcast explores the actions taken by the Biden administration to eliminate bias in AI. It also discusses the efforts of regulatory bodies and the need for diverse data sets and bias mitigation. The chapter emphasizes the importance of transparency and public access to algorithm information. Additionally, it explores the role of hospitals in addressing bias and compliance with anti-discrimination laws. The podcast concludes by emphasizing the need to address racial bias in algorithms and the healthcare system through introspection and collaboration with frontline clinicians.

22 snips
Dec 7, 2023 • 22min
Rooting Out Racial Bias in Health Care AI, Part 1
Dr. Emily, a specialist in diagnosing bias in AI and reducing racial bias in health care AI, discusses the challenges of diagnosing bias in AI, recognizing and addressing racial bias in healthcare AI algorithms, and the actions taken by federal agencies and healthcare professionals to address bias.

Nov 30, 2023 • 19min
The Stories That Made an Impact in 2023
In this special episode we reflect on a few of our favorite stories of 2023 and hear how they’re making a difference for patients and policymakers. Guests:Hannah Neprash, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota School of Public HealthJami Snyder, MA, president and chief executive officer of consulting firm JSN StrategiesLearn more and read a full transcript on our website. And take a look at our full impact report!Support this type of journalism today, with a gift, which for a limited time will be matched!We're also excited to share that you can now find Tradeoffs on YouTube.Still not enough Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17 snips
Nov 16, 2023 • 25min
More Hospitals Move to Confront Medical Errors Head On
Experts discuss the prevalence of medical errors in hospitals and the need for patient safety to be a national priority. Guests share personal stories of medical errors and the emotional toll on patients and families. The podcast explores accountability, transparency programs, and the shift towards a culture of patient safety in the medical field.

Nov 9, 2023 • 32min
Can the U.S. Put an End to Surprise Ambulance Bills?
"Tradeoffs" explores the challenge of surprise ambulance bills in the US. Guests discuss the frustrations and financial burden of these bills, as well as the responsibilities and challenges faced by emergency medical services. The podcast examines potential solutions, including state-based approaches and the need for federal protection. It also emphasizes the importance of supporting patients and preventing errors in the healthcare system.

Nov 2, 2023 • 32min
What Brings You In Today?
Healthcare leaders discuss the importance of effective doctor-patient communication and the impact on patients' experiences and outcomes. They explore the power of reframing side effects to improve treatment adherence, the concept of implicit bias in healthcare, and the need for awareness and understanding of one's own biases. The podcast also features an inspiring story of a patient's improved health through diet intervention and highlights the issue of surprise ambulance bills.

Oct 26, 2023 • 19min
Growing Pains as California Adds Social Services to Medicaid
California’s Medicaid program is two years into the nation’s most ambitious effort yet to cover non-traditional health care services like housing and food for some of the state’s sickest and most vulnerable residents. Everyone expected this transformation — known as CalAIM — to take some time to hit its stride. We dig into CalAIM’s early challenges and what’s being done to right the ship.Guests:Pooja Bhalla, DNP, RN, CEO, Illumination FoundationJacey Cooper, Medicaid Director, California Department of Health Care ServicesKelly Bruno-Nelson, MSW, Executive Director of Medi-Cal/CalAIM, CalOptima HealthLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.We're also excited to share that you can now find Tradeoffs on YouTube! Still not enough 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.