Healthcare Nation

  • Introduction: Host Rick Gannotta and producer Joe  discuss their commitment to provide regular updates on the latest trends and news in healthcare.
  • Healthcare sector in the markets:
    • Q1 2023 saw a pullback in private equity investment in healthcare, possibly due to the post-COVID shakeout.
    • The sector had previously been flush with cash with some less-than-realistic initiatives.
    • The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the resulting complications for accessing capital for smaller firms also contributed to this downturn.
  • Positives and negatives of the current state:
    • Positives: Continued strong investment in models of care, especially with a future focus on Medicare Advantage.
    • Increasing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, including its impact on platforms and backend operations.
    • Promising advancements in the field of mental health, especially in the telehealth space.
    • Negatives: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) scrutinizing valuation dynamics and investment ownership, regulatory considerations, and potential market instability.
  • Impact of the Debt Ceiling Crisis on healthcare:
    • Partisan politics causing potential disruptions and creating uncertainty in the healthcare sector.
    • While not directly impacting care delivery, the crisis is affecting strategic decisions, planning, and capital investments.
    • Public insurance programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and others accounted for 42.5% of national health expenditures in 2021. If the debt ceiling is breached, this figure could temporarily decrease.
  • Affordable Care Act (ACA) ruling:
    • Recent federal appeals panel decision paused the lower court ruling regarding preventative care under the ACA.
    • If upheld, it would lead to out-of-pocket charges for preventative care services, potentially causing financial burden for individuals and the risk of them foregoing preventative care.
  • The Backlash from hospital groups regarding site-neutral payments:
    • Hospital outpatient clinics, part of a hospital's infrastructure, would be disadvantaged due to site-neutral payments.
    • Hospital groups are lobbying against the proposal due to the high operational costs of maintaining a hospital infrastructure compared to independent clinics.
  • AI in Healthcare:
    • AI gaining momentum in healthcare, as demonstrated in the previous episode with Dr. Michael Ivan.
    • Importance of understanding regulatory guardrails and budgeting for AI implementation in healthcare.
    • Notable initiatives include the executive branch's blueprint for a healthcare AI Bill of Rights.
For more in-depth discussions, tune into the Healthcare Nation podcast.

Creators & Guests

Host
Rick Gannotta
Health sector executive clinician educator & researcher, RTs/links 🚫 not endorsements, TEDX; https://t.co/51mnBxpPqv @NYUWagner
Producer
Joe Woolworth
Owner of Podcast Cary, the Studio Cary, and Relevant Media Solutions in Cary, NC Your friendly neighborhood creative.

What is Healthcare Nation?

Welcome to Healthcare Nation, the podcast for enthusiasts passionate about the healthcare sector and eager to explore its current state and future trajectory. Join us as we delve into the heart of the healthcare, biotech, and MedTech industries with the help of top thought leaders.

I'm your host, Rick Gannotta, with over four decades of experience in healthcare, spanning from the hospital bedside to the boardroom, C-Suite roles in renowned health systems, advising game-changing startups and established companies, and educating the next generation of healthcare leaders.

In each episode, we'll bring you conversations with distinguished guests, including innovators, scholars, practitioners, and influencers shaping the healthcare landscape. Gain valuable insights from their perspectives and stay updated on the latest developments, trends, and noteworthy news.

Join us on this exciting journey and become a part of the Healthcare Nation community. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform to stay in the loop.