The Cost of Care

The breathtaking pace at which the Covid-19 pandemic upended American society and commerce with lingering effects has scores of lessons that will teach future generations how society should grapple with a debilitating public health crisis while preserving economic vitality, political function, and social cohesion. In this episode of The Cost of Care, David Smith dives deep into how Covid-19 was a stress test for the American healthcare system, the wins, the losses, and where we go from here. Read the full paper from Third Horizon Strategies here: https://thirdhorizonstrategies.com/wp-content/uploads/COVID-as-a-stress-test-v2.pdfSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s The Cost of Care Live from the Health Plan Alliance Fall Leadership Summit! Join our host David Smith and an exciting panel of healthcare policy leaders to examine critical questions such as: What is it that you wish you could do for your members to improve their health but can’t? If there were no constraints on what you could invest in, what would you do? Thank you, Health Plan Alliance, for helping make this episode possible. Health Plan Alliance is a nationwide network of regional health plans, hospitals and physicians working together to improve performance, deliver exceptional service, transform care, and champion health and well-being in their local markets. To learn more visit healthplanalliance.org. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recorded and produced by StoryCorps Studios, Voices From the Frontlines is a project created by #FirstRespondersFirst, an initiative of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Thrive Global, and Creative Artists Agency Foundation that takes a whole human approach to healthcare worker well-being. Additional support is provided by the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation.  In this conversation, colleagues and friends Soren Glassing and Fran Heller talk about their experience working together in a hospital palliative care unit throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the therapeutic power of art.   To listen to more stories and access resources, visit allinforhealthcare.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recorded and produced by StoryCorps Studios, Voices From the Frontlines is a project created by #FirstRespondersFirst, an initiative of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Thrive Global, and Creative Artists Agency Foundation that takes a whole human approach to healthcare worker well-being. Additional support is provided by the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation.  In this conversation, Filipina and nurse practitioner Riza Mauricio talks to her three adult children Rina Mauricio and Rica Buchanan — both doctors — and Regie Mauricio, an economist, about her experiences with racism and sexism in the medical profession, and the importance of advocating for yourself and your community. To listen to more stories and access resources, visit allinforhealthcare.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode of The Cost of Care, host David Smith shines a light on how the nation is driving a national shortage of nursing professionals, hearing from frontline, retired, and nurse educators and advocates. He'll take listeners through the nursing landscape pre-pandemic, how COVID-19 fueled the crisis, and what the future portends without meaningful intervention. Sponsored by Nurse.com. As the trusted career resource built by and for nurses, Nurse.com fosters the largest online community of nurses, connecting with nearly 3 million nurses per month. Nurse.com serves nurses with lifelong career support through accredited continuing education, job opportunities, and a thriving community that supports their passion for the profession and empowers them to flourish. This podcast is sponsored by Nurse.com. If you’re a fan of this podcast, then you’ll love the new show, NurseDot Podcast. It’s a weekly podcast focused on providing nurses with validation, resources, and hope, one episode at a time. Cara Lunsford, RN and CPHON, leads this 16-week series, bringing in a new guest every episode. Together, they cover everything from caring while grieving, to safe staffing, to becoming a nurse influencer, and beyond. Listen to NurseDot Podcast wherever you find your podcasts. Nurse.com conducted extensive, unbiased research to create a free salary research report. Download the free report today at nurse.com/salary. Get the salary you're worth. Get the salary you deserve.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a thought-provoking discussion, Kristi Henderson from Optum champions health equity and access while Yasmine Winkler highlights the necessity for culturally competent care. Ron Wyatt underscores the importance of fairness and justice in healthcare outcomes. They tackle the historical impacts of structural racism, the shifts in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the role of telehealth in bridging gaps. Together, they advocate for a healthcare system that prioritizes equitable access and addresses systemic barriers.

As a holiday bonus, the team at The Cost of Care wanted to share one of their favorite podcasts of 2021 with you.  New Day from Lemonada Media is a podcast with a simple goal - helping you get through the day and look forward to tomorrow. Every week, Claire Bidwell Smith shares one way to make your day and life a little better. From waking up with more energy to finding contentment with relationships, to keeping your New Year resolutions all year long, Claire and her guests help you answer the big question: How can I lead a more fulfilling life? New Day is back with brand new episodes starting January 5th.   Billie Lourd has been grieving the loss of her mother, Carrie Fisher, and grandmother, Debbie Reynolds since 2016. She shares what it was like growing up in the public eye in a family dealing with addiction and mental illness. This week’s practice is about all the things you inherit from your family (good and bad) and the patterns you want to break.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Opioids are killing more people than ever. In 2020, overdose deaths in the U.S. spiked nearly 30% to a record high -- the sharpest annual increase in 30 years. Fentanyl sold on the street and the ongoing toll of the pandemic are the primary drivers. With so many of us affected, there’s a dire need for solutions. That’s why we’re re-releasing episodes 2-12 from season one with new updates from previous guests and fans of the show. Last Day Revisited: The Opioid Crisis is a binge listen that offers essential knowledge, support, and answers for people directly impacted by addiction. PLUS, we reveal what topic we’ll be covering in Last Day Season 3, dropping early 2022. Together, we can reduce stigma and save lives.  On Last Day, we talk about what’s killing us, the stuff that’s hard to comprehend and getting worse every day. Join host Stephanie Wittels Wachs, as she confronts massive epidemics with humanity, wit, and a quest for progress. While Season 1 chronicled the opioid crisis in the US, Season 2 delves into the growing suicide rate, telling real stories, talking to experts, and asking everyone along the way, "How did we get here, and what could we have done differently?"   On this episode, Stefano Cordova Jr.’s family tries to make sense of Stefano’s overdose death and how they all got here. Then, Dr. Sam Snodgrass, a behavioral pharmacologist with a doctorate in biopsychology, explains how his own addiction to opioids is a disease and why understanding that is key to helping people with substance use disorders.   To hear more of Last Day, search for Last Day wherever you are listening right now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Linda Michelson, a seasoned patient advocate with 25 years in medical billing, shares vital strategies for decoding complex medical bills. AnnMarie McIlwain, CEO of Patient Advocators, emphasizes the importance of guided navigation through healthcare challenges. Dr. David Blumenthal discusses systemic inefficiencies and advocates for a patient-first approach to U.S. healthcare. Together, they provide practical tips for reducing costs and highlight the critical role of patient advocates in empowering informed healthcare decisions.

Chris Garcia, a 45-year-old trans man from Colorado, shares his experiences with the healthcare system, particularly the hurdles in accessing gender-affirming care. He discusses the emotional challenges and the importance of advocacy in battling inconsistent medical standards. Listeners' stories reveal the broader struggles for those with chronic illnesses and developmental care needs. The conversation emphasizes community support and the necessity of patient empowerment in navigating a complicated healthcare landscape.