The Gist Healthcare Podcast

Today on The Gist Healthcare Podcast, Congress advances a healthcare bill without extending ACA enhanced tax credits, Texas files an antitrust lawsuit against Epic Systems, and new research reveals which U.S. cities face the highest healthcare costs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former senior CDC officials are set to lead a major public health effort in California. A bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging the Trump Administration to classify advanced nursing degrees as professional. New research also shows COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduced pediatric emergency department visits. These stories and more are coming up on today's episode of the Gist Healthcare Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From rapidly expiring Affordable Care Act enhanced tax credits a fast-evolving federal public health agenda, today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare Podcast delves into some of the biggest healthcare policy news of 2025. Michael McAuliff, Modern Healthcare’s policy and politics reporter, joins host J. Carlisle Larsen to break down the news and provide a lookahead to 2026.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s Gist Healthcare Podcast, the Senate fails to pass legislation meant to address expiring enhanced ACA tax credits, a new study finds that federal relief after the Change Healthcare cyberattack was distributed unevenly, and a record number of medical students now entering the pipeline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Gist Healthcare Podcast, we cover Senate Republican plans for the potential expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits, a CDC advisory committee proposal that would shift vaccine recommendations for newborns, and new survey findings that connect clinician turnover to negative EHR experiences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Burnout continues to challenge physicians, and new data from The Permanente Medical Group shows ambient AI scribes may help ease the burden. On today’s episode, Kristine Lee, MD, Associate Executive Director of Virtual Medicine, Technology, and Innovation at The Permanente Medical Group, returns to share what TPMG learned from its year-long evaluation of the technology, including major time savings, improved workflows, and better patient interactions.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Senate Democrats introduced legislation that would extend Affordable Care Act tax credits, a proposal that could affect coverage affordability. The Trump Administration issued a revised definition of which professions qualify for higher cap federal student loans. New research also links early adolescent smartphone use to increased risks of depression, obesity, and poor sleep. Hear the full update on The Gist Healthcare Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is considering updates to how it calculates Medicare Advantage star ratings. The United States and the United Kingdom have agreed to a zero percent pharmaceutical tariff. The House passes legislation to extend the hospital-at-home waiver. Hear more on today’s episode of The Gist Healthcare Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s Gist Healthcare Podcast: Medicare Part B premiums rise 10 percent next year, the White House is in talks about extending ACA enhanced tax credits, and a federal judge signs off on Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy plan tied to the opioid crisis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following recent improvements in surgical outcomes, hospitals are now confronting new challenges tied to patient complexity, post-acute care access, and workforce capacity.   In this episode, Chris DeRienzo, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Physician Executive for the American Hospital Association, discusses findings from the latest Vizient and AHA analysis, including how delayed discharges and administrative demands affect care delivery. The conversation also looks at what hospitals are doing to sustain safety gains amid increasing acuity and staffing pressures.  You can listen to the first half of the conversation here.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s Gist Healthcare Podcast: The government shutdown ends without an agreement to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits. Canada loses its measles elimination status, signaling renewed public health risks. And the Trump Administration seems likely to extend telehealth flexibilities that allow clinicians to prescribe controlled substances without an in-person visit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s Gist Healthcare Podcast: The Senate passes a spending bill to end the government shutdown without extending Affordable Care Act subsidies. The FDA plans to remove black box warnings from hormone replacement therapies for menopause. And UnitedHealthcare pulls back coverage for remote patient monitoring. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new analysis from Vizient and the American Hospital Association shows that outcomes for hospitalized surgical patients have improved in recent years.   In this episode, Chris DeRienzo, Senior Vice President and Chief Physician Executive for the AHA, discusses the data behind those findings and what may be contributing to the changes. The conversation looks at how hospitals are managing increasingly complex patients while maintaining gains in safety and quality.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Trump Administration reaches a deal to lower prices on weight loss drugs, the FDA fast-tracks biosimilars, and a new report shows UnitedHealthcare pays its Optum physicians more than others. Hear the latest on The Gist Healthcare Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s episode of The Gist Healthcare Podcast, CMS finalizes a Medicare pay bump for physicians. Kimberly-Clark to purchase Tylenol maker Kenvue, and Pfizer sues to block Novo Nordisk’s merger with an obesity startup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Millions of Americans relying on food assistance could lose benefits as the government shutdown continues. A new study explores how proposed H-1B visa changes may affect staffing in rural hospitals. Plus, a court ruling dismisses a case from nurse practitioners challenging the definition of “doctor.” All that and more on today’s episode of The Gist Healthcare Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Texas files suit against the maker of Tylenol, alleging hidden autism risks. Furloughed CMS employees are called back to manage Medicare and ACA enrollment. And Cigna takes a new approach to drug pricing by moving away from rebates. Hear these stories and more on The Gist Healthcare Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Gist Healthcare Podcast, the nation’s second-largest measles outbreak continues to expand along the Arizona–Utah border. Family job-based health insurance premiums hit an average of $27,000 in 2025, while UnitedHealth Group launches an AI tool designed to accelerate medical claims processing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Moderate House Republicans are urging Speaker Mike Johnson to take up the issue of expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits once the shutdown ends. A new poll shows declining trust in President Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., while DocGo moves to acquire SteadyMD. Those stories and more on The Gist Healthcare Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode of The Gist Healthcare Podcast, we look at three headlines shaping healthcare this week: rising 2026 ACA exchange prices, California’s plan to sell its own insulin, and Prospect Medical Holdings’ move to sell more hospitals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.