Health Care News Podcast

Is it possible that Obamacare was intentionally set up to falter, leading frustrated Americans to implore the federal government to assume control of health care? Devon Herrick posits this theory, having recently explored the topic on the Goodman Health Blog. He highlights that without the crutch of subsidies, Obamacare is destined to collapse — a prediction echoed by many during the 2009-2010 debates surrounding the inception of the Affordable Care Act.Herrick delves into various topics, including the expansion of Medicaid, and the concept of Medicare for All — or as he terms it, “Medicaid for All.” Since the enactment of the ACA, 21 states have contemplated bills advocating for single-payer systems. However, the majority of these proposals were thwarted due to their exorbitant costs. For instance, Vermont terminated its program, while California’s initiative never came to fruition. Colorado’s electorate decisively rejected a similar proposition. Currently, Michigan is weighing the adoption of a single-payer

Hidden within the intricacies of Obamacare lies an unsettling truth that many are unaware of. Dive deep with us as we uncover how this renowned health care reform might not be the safety net for the genuinely ill as it's often portrayed. Join Host AnneMarie Schieber and guest John C. Goodman, Ph.D., co-publisher of Health Care News and founder of the Goodman Institute for Public Policy Research, to learn the layers behind this revelation.Goodman shed light on the problems with Obamacare in his recent article for the Wall Street Journal. He delves into the financial burdens faced by families with severe health challenges who, without an employer plan, turn to Obamacare exchanges. For these families, Obamacare effectively becomes a staggering 182% "tax." Even with insurance subsidies, they face the pitfalls of Obamacare's limited networks. Alarmingly, both Democrats and Republicans remain silent on this issue, and Goodman sheds light on their reticence.Despite the U.S. pouring billions into health care across b

On this episode of "Health Care News," former Chicago and Illinois politician Robert "Bob" Fioretti shares his experience as a cancer survivor and highlights the challenges he faced navigating the healthcare system, even with "Cadillac" health care coverage. Fioretti discusses his cancer diagnosis and how he was never formally informed of it. He also shares the difficulties he faced in making treatment decisions and how rising costs impacted his mental health. His book, My Cancer Journey, documents his experiences and offers insights into how the healthcare system could be improved, including the use of "center of excellence" insurance plans tailored for cancer care. To stay in the know, follow Robert Fioretti's on Twitter.

Direct primary care (DPC) gets rave reviews from patients and doctors. So why aren’t more people gravitating to this affordable, no-hassle care that provides care outside that of the health insurance maze? Dr. Lee Gross, a direct primary care physician in southwest Florida, discusses how the Personalized Care Act can open the market for more choice, including better access to DPC. Dr. Gross describes how small business were the ones who encouraged him into opening a DPC practice for their employees, and he has not looked back.   The Personalized Care Act, reintroduced in Congress by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), and the U.S. Senate by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) will address one of the biggest obstacles to DPC: freedom. The government restricts health savings accounts to high deductible health insurance plans, which removes options for people who don’t have employer health care and don’t want government plans or be confined to Medicaid. The bills also give workers without employer health insurance the same tax advantages to

It's not hard to find someone not complaining about healthcare these days, but it's not because we lack talented health professionals, it's the delivery system. There is an ongoing battle going on in healthcare that many patients might not realize, and that battle is independent practice versus corporate medicine.Dr. Hal Scherz, Fonder of Docs for Patient Care Foundation and a doctor at  Georgia Urology, where 24 physicians were ranked "best" by Atlanta Magazine joins Health Care News Podcast to discuss the difference between small independent private practice and large corporate health care.

Starting July 21, the Uniform Law Commission (ULC) will be meeting to consider two options that would expand the legal definition of death.  The first option is what currently exists in the Uniform Determination of Death Act and includes loss of total brain function, not just the brain stem. Dr. Heidi Klessig, a retired anesthesiologist and authority on clinical death, explains what the options are and how families and patients can best prepare themselves. The American Academy of Neurology has petitioned the ULC to revise the legal definition of death. Option one uses the word “irreversible,” and Option 2 uses the word “permanent.” Klessig says Option 2 will give hospitals and doctors huge discretion in whether to give or continue life-sustaining treatment. Klessig will discuss cases of patients, such as Zack Dunlap, who survived sustained unresponsiveness and went on to describe their level of consciousness during that time.   Canada has now adopted provisions similar to “Option 2.” Two factors may be drivin

The Biden administration recently proposed a new rule to change health care privacy protections under the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). The rule would limit access to medical records if inquired in the interest of “reproductive health.” The proposed rule has created huge blowback because it is seen as a way to get around state laws regulating abortion and transgender procedures. Twila Brase says the change reveals what a myth HIPAA is in protecting health data and only now in the interest of protecting abortion and child transgender treatments, does it decide to beef up HIPAA.  Topics discussed: 1. Is the proposed HIPAA rule a tacit admission that privacy under HIPAA is a myth?2. What is the proposed rule?  Will it block states from investigating providers who violate their laws?3. What is the “personal representative” as mentioned in Biden’s proposed rule?4. What about protecting minors who flee to other states for “reproductive health” services - will this rule encourage that?

Did the FDA destroy what could have been a non-addictive pain killer that might have staved off the opioid crisis before it ever stood a chance? Several decades ago, the agency approved the drug Toradol, the first non-addictive pain killer that had pain killing effects of morphine without the addictive potential. However, the FDA set the desired peak dosage, known as the loading dose, far higher than manufacturer Syntex desired. The company reluctantly complied. 97 people prescribed Toradol dies within the first few years as a result.  With their drug no longer used in it’s original form, pharmaceutical company Syntex tried to introduce the drug in an oral form. However, the FDA overcompensated for their initial error, restricting dosage to levels not useful for medicinal applications  Today’s guest, Charles L. Hooper worked at Syntex when Toradol was coming onto the market as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. This was a time of excitement for the company says Hooper. They were eager to cooperate with th

This episode of Health Care News focuses on the recent repeal of the Certificate of Need and financial credentialing in the healthcare industry by Governor Henry McMaster on May 17. Dr. Marcello Hochman, a surgeon in Charleston and president of the organization "IndeDoc," has been advocating for healthcare market reforms since 2019. In an interview, Hochman explains the process of passing the bill and how it will enhance competition in the healthcare market, ultimately leading to reduced prices.The discussion covers various topics such as: 1.      The need for patience in passing healthcare reforms, as it sometimes takes multiple attempts.2.      The concept of "financial credentialing" by hospitals and its negative impact on consumers.3.      How the Certificate of Need hinders competition and increases costs.4.      The events leading up to the bill's passing in 2023.5.      Non-compete clauses that hospitals require healthcare professionals to sign and how it affects market competition.6.      The role of

In early spring of 2021, the family of Grace Schara, a 19-year-old young woman with Down’s Syndrome, brought their daughter to an emergency room at the direction of an urgent care clinic due to wavering blood oxygen levels from COVID-19. According to her father Scott Schara, this was a grave mistake. Schara claims the hospital, St. Elizabeth’s in Appleton, Wisconsin, became an adversary, not an ally, in treating Grace.  The relationship broke down when the Schara's were not convinced Grace needed to be put on a ventilator, a treatment encouraged by the federal government with financial incentives. Within a matter of days, Grace was dead. Her family discovered the physician put a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order in place and infused a combination of powerful anesthesia drugs into her system. As a result, they've filed a lawsuit claiming the hospital engaged in euthanasia.  Schara insists that this lawsuit extends beyond mere malpractice. He says his family initiated the legal battle to highlight concerning issue

Milton Friedman was a staunch advocate for privatizing Medicaid and Social Security, relying on the free market to regulate healthcare. The 'Plan for America' (PFA) is a proposal to bring this vision to life. Terry Nager, one of the co-authors of this plan, aimed to fortify the nation's entitlement programs, alleviate the country's deficits, debts, and unfunded liabilities, and provide Americans with personal accounts that they could grow using compound interest. These accounts would grant individuals the freedom and resources to purchase private lifetime health insurance. Nager provides an in-depth discussion on how the PFA would operate, the origins of the plan, why attempts to privatize entitlement programs failed under President George W. Bush, why the plan would appeal to younger generations, and how it could guarantee the same benefits currently associated with Social Security and Medicare. He also addresses the prospect of most people accruing sufficient funds in their accounts to bequeath a financial

How is it that Mifepristone was approved in the first place?  The drug has high risk implications and because of that was authorized under a specific protocol that the Biden administration is now trying to change after the Dobb’s decision last year that reversed Roe v. Wade.  Guest Rik Mehta comes onto the podcast to discuss the legal nature of it all.

Have you ever visited a pharmacy only to discover that your prescription medication was out of stock? This issue is not limited to drug stores; it also occurs in hospitals and medical clinics, and the cause is rarely due to a lack of raw materials. John Goodman, the president of the Goodman Center for Public Policy Research and co-publisher of Health Care News, testified about prescription drug shortages before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security. He argued that the primary source of the problem lies in flawed public policy that constrains the pharmaceutical market. Goodman revealed that between 186 and 308 drugs experience shortages, including some life-saving medications. As a result, hospitals and doctors are often forced to delay treatment or use alternative drugs, which can lead to even more significant issues down the line. One contributing factor is the FDA's stringent regulations, which make it exceedingly difficult for drug manufacturers to swiftly respond to fluctuations in demand. Conseq

Can the doctor taking care of you in the hospital be trusted? In this episode of "Health Care News," Twila Brase, R.N., a leading voice on patient advocacy and privacy, explains how hospitals are employing "hospitalists" who are more accountable to the hospital corporation than to patients. While physicians cannot mistreat patients or neglect their care due to liability and licensing concerns, those employed by hospitals may have to follow standardized treatment protocols that may not be tailored to individual patients. Minnesota is considering a bipartisan "Trusted Doctor" bill, the first of its kind in the country, that allows patients to choose a trusted physician to treat them, regardless of whether the physician has hospital privileges. This issue arose during the pandemic when family physicians were prevented from treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients with drugs like Ivermectin, as hospitals followed other protocols. Outside physicians were even banned from treating their patients in hospitals from Ne

In this episode, host AnneMarie Schieber dives into the story of Robert "Bob" Fioretti, an influential figure in the world of Chicago and Illinois politics and cancer survivor. Bob's journey through the healthcare system in the last decade, specifically during treatment for throat cancer, sheds light on the challenges faced by many in the age of Obamacare. Despite having "Cadillac" health coverage, Bob was overwhelmed with over $100,000 in out-of-pocket costs for his treatment. He also explains how he was never formally notified of his cancer diagnosis and how the system made him feel like just a dollar sign.His book, "My Cancer Journey," details the many factors that he needed to consider for his quality of life while fighting cancer, and how ever rising bills impacted his mental health. Bob and AnneMarie discuss potential solutions, such as "center of excellence" insurance plans tailored specifically for cancer care. Tune in to hear an eye-opening account of navigating the healthcare system as a cancer pati

In this episode of Health Care News, we explore the possibility of the Biden administration declaring a public health emergency to override state regulation of abortion. Our guest, Rik Mehta, a former consumer safety officer at the Food and Drug Administration and an adjunct professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center, sheds light on this contentious issue.Mehta discusses how the public health emergency declaration has gone beyond its original mission, and what authority the Public Health Services Act gives the federal government. He explains the potential implications of this decision and how it could impact state regulations on abortion.The discussion also touches on the expected Texas court decision on whether the FDA overstepped its authority in approving the chemical abortion pill, mifepristone, and how it is driving the Biden administration's decision. Mehta explains how a public health emergency declaration for abortion will allow the federal government to override this decision and discusses

Most people recognized the acronym AARP. It’s for the American Association of Retired Persons. But few realize that rather than represent the interests of seniors, AARP acts to promote the interests of the health insurance industry at the expense of retirees and their pocketbooks.  Chris Jacobs, founder of Juniper Research, has been investigating the AARP’s cozy deals with health insurance companies for years. Jacobs joins the podcast to discuss his new analysis of the AARP as well as the organization’s support of anti-Medicare policies. He also highlights the hidden surcharges the AARP collects off Medigap policies it promotes. Jacob’s new analysis, which can be found here, found that the AARP collected $627.2 million in surplus fees that were secretly tacked on to health insurance policies AARP promoted for the United Health Group. The fees comprise 69 percent of the AARP’s revenue. Not surprisingly, the AARP supports policies such as drug price controls contained in the recent Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

Join us for a thought-provoking episode as Matt Dean, Senior Fellow on Health Care Policy Outreach at The Heartland Institute, delves into the latest developments in the federal government's increasing control over healthcare. In this episode of Health Care News, we will explore the recent guidance issued by the Biden administration encouraging states to spend money on "social determinants" affecting health. Is this merely a transfer of wealth? How does this information get embedded into electronic health records?We will also discuss the definition of social determinants, how they may affect tax dollars, the validity of their impact on health, the potential encouragement of harmful choices, and how the push for diversity, equity, and inclusion is expanding the definition of "essential" healthcare while posing a threat to fiscal health. Don't miss out on this insightful conversation that will leave you questioning the role of the government in our healthcare system.

Details are now emerging just how much the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) overstated deaths from COVID-19. Joel Hirschhorn, the editor of the Pandemic Blunder Substack and author of the book, Pandemic Blunder, dug deep into the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) to see just how brazen the hype had been. Many of the deaths listed as “COVID” were very obvious accidents, suicides, and homicides. Hirschhorn says this was no accident but an orchestrated campaign to ramp up fear among the public, preparing people to receive the vaccines. Hirschhorn believes the deaths from the vaccines may now exceed COVID itself. Other topics:-          CDC’s COVID data tracker, which cited 1,099,866 deaths from COVID 19 as of January 17, 2023. How are we to regard that number?-          Uniformity in death certificates-          The importance of autopsies in “sudden deaths” -          How Gov. DeSantis’s “grand jury” approach may bear fruit in getting to the bottom of the COVID shot marketing and co

Social media companies have defended their close relationship with the government to control the COVID narrative by saying it was voluntary and protected under the First Amendment.  This raises a number of Constitutional red flags, says Jenin Younes, a litigator with the New Civil Liberties Alliance. Younes is representing the private plaintiffs in a First Amendment case filed by the attorneys general of Missouri and Louisiana against the Biden administration.  Yeones discusses why this is unconstitutional, why it needs to end and how can be done. In this case, Younes is representing Jay Bhattacharya, Aaron Kheriaty, Martin Kuldorff, and Jill Hines; four leading experts in public health who were deplatformed and/or censored by social media companies.  During discovery, emails surfaced between Facebook and the White House’s director of digital media, Rob Flaherty, that show this was more than a friendly relationship. The tone was more between a demanding boss and an underling. Communications were so flagrant t