"Second Opinion" with Christina Farr, Ash Zenooz MD & Luba Greenwood JD

In this episode of Second Opinion, Christina Farr is joined by John Zutter, CEO of Lantern, and Matt Harmon,  a long time benefits executive who's worked at fortune 100 companies to discuss the rising costs of healthcare, focusing on how large employers are addressing the financial impacts of treatments like cell and gene therapies and medications such as GLP-1s while exploring the challenges, strategies, and ethical implications of providing affordable healthcare.—📰 Be notified early when Turpentine drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess 🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse —SPONSOR:  👩‍⚕️ Hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog? You don't have to accept these as just another part of aging. Midi Health is the virtual care clinic for women navigating midlife hormonal transition, offering FDA-approved medications, supplements and lifestyle coaching - all covered by insurance. Visit https://www.joinmidi.com/ to book your virtual visit today.—RECOMMENDED PODCAST:Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. Founders Fund's Delian Asparouhov and researcher Nadia Asparouhova kick off the series with an unfiltered conversation about their relationship evolution.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod—LINKS: Lantern: https://lanterncare.comSubscribe to Second Opinion Newsletter: https://secondopinion.media/ —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-zutter-687000a/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattharmon/https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/—HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE: Healthcare costs for employers are rising dramatically, with some Fortune 100 companies seeing 18% increases in a single year, amounting to hundreds of millions in additional spending. Million-dollar claims, once rare, are now common due to advanced cell and gene therapies (costing up to tens of millions per patient), new expensive medications like GLP-1s, complex surgeries and treatments, and rising rates of cancer and chronic conditions. Smaller employers often can't afford high-cost treatments and may exclude coverage while large employers have more resources to implement specialized programs and networks. About 60% of Americans get healthcare through employers. High employee turnover at some companies (35% annually) makes long-term health investments difficult. GLP-1 Medications Emerging Challenges: High member demand driven by marketing and physician recommendations, long-term ROI unclear due to medication newness, employers implementing prior authorization and step therapy requirements, and alternative access through compounding pharmacies and direct programs.

In this episode of Second Opinion, Christina Farr and Luba Greenwood chat with Mike Desjadon, CEO of Anomaly Health, about the state of American healthcare heading into 2025. Mike breaks down how health insurance companies actually make money and explains why we spend $500 billion just processing medical bills. They discuss the security concerns around J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference after a tumultuous 2024, explore why pharma companies really aren't making money from vaccines, and unpack how Ozempic transformed endocrinology from an overlooked specialty to the most coveted medical fellowship in the country. The conversation wraps with realistic predictions for healthcare in 2025. Thanks to our sponsor, Midi Health.—📰 Be notified early when Turpentine drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess 🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse —SPONSOR:  👩‍⚕️ Hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog? You don't have to accept these as just another part of aging. Midi Health is the virtual care clinic for women navigating midlife hormonal transition, offering FDA-approved medications, supplements and lifestyle coaching - all covered by insurance. Visit https://www.joinmidi.com/ to book your virtual visit today.—RECOMMENDED PODCAST:Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. Founders Fund's Delian Asparouhov and researcher Nadia Asparouhova kick off the series with an unfiltered conversation about their relationship evolution.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod—LINKS: Anomaly: https://www.findanomaly.com/Second Opinion Newsletter: https://secondopinion.media/ —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-desjadon-4a0a21a/https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/—HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE: 2024 was marked by several major healthcare events including a massive Change Healthcare cybersecurity breach, increased PBM scrutiny, Trump's election, and the tragic shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. While security concerns exist for the upcoming JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, high hotel costs remain the primary deterrent for attendees, with many companies opting for nearby meetings instead of conference attendance. The Change Healthcare hack exposed a critical transparency issue when Americans learned that a single company had access to half of the nation's health data. The U.S. healthcare system spends $4 trillion annually, with $500 billion going to administrative costs in a complex third-party payment system where insurance companies operate on 4-6% margins and health systems on 0-4% margins. While the U.S. healthcare system is more expensive and less efficient than other countries', it offers advantages like shorter wait times and fewer age-based restrictions on procedures. The pharmaceutical industry faces significant challenges in drug development, with high failure rates and complex manufacturing processes for modern drugs, while vaccines typically don't generate major profits. For 2025, industry experts predict an increase in biotech IPOs, expansion of Medicare Advantage, potential separation of PBMs from vertically integrated entities, and greater scrutiny of PBM relationships by employers. The healthcare industry needs better transparency in pricing and in insurance plan coverage. The system incentivizes volume-based care rather than preventive care, which is evident in both payment structures and professional specialization trends. The rise of GLP-1 drugs has transformed endocrinology from one of the least desired medical specialties to the most coveted fellowship program.

Ash Zenooz and Luba Greenwood interview Andrea Ippolito about her extensive career in healthcare spanning academia, government, and the private sector, as well as her current role as founder and CEO of SimpliFed. They discuss the intricacies of government roles, the importance of women's health, and the evolving landscape of maternal health care and entrepreneurship. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/2c96255c-b8e5-4469-855f-dc5c22f6a339—📰 Be notified early when Turpentine drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess 🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse —RECOMMENDED PODCAST:Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. Founders Fund's Delian Asparouhov and researcher Nadia Asparouhova kick off the series with an unfiltered conversation about their relationship evolution.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod—SPONSORS: 👩‍⚕️ Hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog? You don't have to accept these as just another part of aging. Midi Health is the virtual care clinic for women navigating midlife hormonal transition, offering FDA-approved medications, supplements and lifestyle coaching - all covered by insurance. Visit https://www.joinmidi.com/ to book your virtual visit today.—LINKS: SimpliFed: https://www.simplifed.com/Subscribe to Second Opinion Newsletter: https://secondopinion.media/ —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreakippolito https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(02:04) Andrea's government experience(02:41) Impact of political transitions(03:25) Challenges and opportunities in women's health(10:52) SimpliFed: A journey in women's health(14:12) Scaling SimpliFed(16:43) Fundraising in women's health(20:55) The future of women's health(23:09) Impact of abortion regulations on valuations(23:56) Trends in fertility and IVF(24:22) High-risk conditions in maternal health(25:14) Veterans' healthcare benefits(26:20) Advocating for change through Congress(29:53) Drug pricing and international policies(39:37) Encouraging innovation in women's health(41:11) The Debrief

Luba Greenwood and Ash Zenooz discuss the evolving biotech landscape, the impact of AI on drug discovery, the importance of using real-world evidence in drug development, and personal motivations for continuing efforts in the biotech field. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/f4d42739-65df-42d9-a6b4-6c1327705d7a —📰Be notified early when Turpentine drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess  —RECOMMENDED PODCAST:Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. Founders Fund's Delian Asparouhov and researcher Nadia Asparouhova kick off the series with an unfiltered conversation about their relationship evolution.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod—SPONSORS: 👩‍⚕️ Hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog? You don't have to accept these as just another part of aging. Midi Health is the virtual care clinic for women navigating midlife hormonal transition, offering FDA-approved medications, supplements and lifestyle coaching - all covered by insurance. Visit joinmidi.com to book your virtual visit today.📝 Notion offers powerful workflow and automation templates, perfect for streamlining processes and laying the groundwork for AI-driven automation. With Notion AI, you can search across thousands of documents from various platforms, generating highly relevant analysis and content tailored just for you - try it for free at notion.com/upstreampod 🕵️‍♂️ Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code ECON102 at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/econ102—LINKS:Gallup Oncology: https://www.galloponcology.com/PureTech Health: https://www.puretechhealth.com/ —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/

Christina Farr, Ash Zenooz, and Luba Greenwood are joined by Zeke Emanuel, a prominent oncologist, bioethicist, and influential voice in healthcare to discuss the impact of GLP-1 drugs, healthcare affordability, Trump's appointments, and AI in medicine. The second half of the episode was recorded a week after Trump's election victory. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/dd71470c-2a01-4cfa-a011-5597a86efdf5—🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse.—RECOMMENDED PODCAST: Unpack PricingDive into the dark arts of SaaS pricing with Metronome CEO Scott Woody and tech leaders. Learn how strategic pricing drives explosive revenue growth in today's biggest companies like Snowflake, Cockroach Labs, Dropbox and more.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765716600Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/38DK3W1Fq1xxQalhDSueFg—SPONSORS: 👩‍⚕️ Hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog? You don't have to accept these as just another part of aging. Midi Health is the virtual care clinic for women navigating midlife hormonal transition, offering FDA-approved medications, supplements and lifestyle coaching - all covered by insurance. Visit joinmidi.com to book your virtual visit today.📝Notion offers powerful workflow and automation templates, perfect for streamlining processes and laying the groundwork for AI-driven automation. With Notion AI, you can search across thousands of documents from various platforms, generating highly relevant analysis and content tailored just for you - try it for free at notion.com/upstreampod —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/zeke-emanuel-6ab78a1b0/https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/

Christina Farr and Ash Zenooz discuss the recent departures of prominent female CEOs from major healthcare companies and explore why progress in female leadership representation has been challenging in the healthcare industry. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/f0e550de-d7d5-49bd-96ea-700dde222ccc —📰 Be notified early when Turpentine drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess  —RECOMMENDED PODCAST:🎙️ Unpack Pricing - Dive into the dark arts of SaaS pricing with Metronome CEO Scott Woody and tech leaders. Learn how strategic pricing drives explosive revenue growth in today's biggest companies like Snowflake, Cockroach Labs, Dropbox and more.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765716600Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/38DK3W1Fq1xxQalhDSueFg—SPONSORS: 👩‍⚕️ Hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog? You don't have to accept these as just another part of aging. Midi Health is the virtual care clinic for women navigating midlife hormonal transition, offering FDA-approved medications, supplements and lifestyle coaching - all covered by insurance. Visit joinmidi.com to book your virtual visit today.__LINKS:HLTH: https://www.hlth.com/ —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/

In this episode of Second Opinion, hosts Christina Farr, Ash Zenooz, and Luba Greenwood interview Rob Perez, founder of Life Science Cares, about his work bridging the biotech industry with poverty alleviation efforts. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/f3eb77b0-b71c-40fe-817e-bd3c1b4dc5b4 —RECOMMENDED PODCAST:🎙️ Unpack Pricing - Dive into the dark arts of SaaS pricing with Metronome CEO Scott Woody and tech leaders. Learn how strategic pricing drives explosive revenue growth in today's biggest companies like Snowflake, Cockroach Labs, Dropbox and more.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765716600Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/38DK3W1Fq1xxQalhDSueFg__SPONSOR: 👩‍⚕️ Hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog? You don't have to accept these as just another part of aging. Midi Health is the virtual care clinic for women navigating midlife hormonal transition, offering FDA-approved medications, supplements and lifestyle coaching - all covered by insurance. Visit https://www.joinmidi.com/ to book your virtual visit today.__LINKS:Life Science Cares: https://lifesciencecares.org/Project OnRamp: https://lifesciencecares.org/project-onramp/Subscribe to Second Opinion Newsletter: https://secondopinion.media/ —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-perez-93707916/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/

Dr. Lloyd Minor, Dean of Stanford School of Medicine joins Christina Farr, Ash Zenooz, and Luba Greenwood to discuss the various transformative advancements and challenges in healthcare, focusing on the equitable use of AI and technology to enhance patient care, improve medical training, and address labor shortages. They dive into AI’s role in imaging, pathology, and electronic health records, as well as innovative approaches in medical education. —SPONSOR: 👩‍⚕️ Hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog? You don't have to accept these as just another part of aging. Midi Health is the virtual care clinic for women navigating midlife hormonal transition, offering FDA-approved medications, supplements and lifestyle coaching - all covered by insurance. Visit https://www.joinmidi.com/ to book your virtual visit today.—LINKS: Stanford Medicine: https://med.stanford.edu/RAISE Health: https://med.stanford.edu/raisehealth Subscribe to Second Opinion Newsletter: https://secondopinion.media/  —FOLLOWhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lloydminor/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(03:50) Challenges in healthcare and potential solutions(06:49) AI in medical practice(11:01) The future of medical education(19:33) Encouraging careers in medicine(28:56) Preventative care and health policy(31:46) Advances in cancer treatment(32:48) Innovations in early diagnosis and preventative strategies(33:18) Challenges in the US healthcare system(34:17) Reflections on academic leadership during Covid-19(35:50) Stanford's response to the Covid-19 crisis(38:49) Balancing academic freedom and public health(40:37) Practical solutions during the pandemic(41:20) Innovations in healthcare(42:37) The future of ai and digital health(49:11) The debrief

In this episode of Second Opinion, Christina Farr, Ash Zenooz, and Luba Greenwood discuss the integration and evaluation of digital tools in healthcare with guest Caroline Pearson from the Peterson Health Technology Institute. They explore the challenges in demonstrating clinical effectiveness and affordability of digital health solutions, using diabetes management tools as a case example. They address the role of evidence in the healthcare system, potential biases in standard evaluation practices, and the need for improved data sharing between digital health companies and traditional healthcare providers.—SPONSOR:  👩‍⚕️ Hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog? You don't have to accept these as just another part of aging. Midi Health is the virtual care clinic for women navigating midlife hormonal transition, offering FDA-approved medications, supplements and lifestyle coaching - all covered by insurance. Visit https://www.joinmidi.com/ to book your virtual visit today.—LINKS: Peterson Health Technology Institute: https://phti.org/Peterson Center on Healthcare: https://petersonhealthcare.org/ Nonlinear dynamics of multi-omics profiles during human aging: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-024-00692-2 New Report Finds That Digital Diabetes Management Tools Fail to Deliver Meaningful Health Benefits to Patients While Increasing Spending: https://phti.org/announcement/new-report-finds-that-digital-diabetes-management-tools-fail-to-deliver-meaningful-health-benefits-to-patients-while-increasing-spending/ Subscribe to Second Opinion Newsletter: https://secondopinion.media/  —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/pearsoncaroline/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(01:39) Discussion about super aging(02:54) Introducing Caroline Pearson(04:16) Challenges in digital health solutions(05:58) The role of evidence in digital health(16:41) Employer-sponsored health insurance concerns(20:05) Collaboration and data sharing in health tech(32:05) The future of health tech and patient outcomes(33:30) Conclusion and final thoughts(34:37) The debrief

In this engaging conversation, digital health expert Christina Farr, healthcare leader Ash Zenooz, and evolving trends professional Luba Greenwood join Oxeon CEO Sonia Millsom. They dive into what defines a successful CEO in healthcare, emphasizing relationship-building and candidate evaluation. The group analyzes current job market trends in health tech, shedding light on promising sectors like health AI. They also discuss the strategic role of executive chairs and share insights on mastering leadership interviews in an evolving industry.