WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:05.400 --> 00:00:06.390 Daniel Williams: Well, hi everyone. 00:00:06.390 --> 00:00:09.300 Welcome to the MGMA Weekend Review podcast. 00:00:09.300 --> 00:00:11.730 I am one of your hosts, Daniel Williams. 00:00:11.730 --> 00:00:14.220 I'm here with our co-host Colleen Luckett. 00:00:14.220 --> 00:00:18.630 We're both editors and writers here at MGMA and love bringing you. 00:00:18.680 --> 00:00:22.550 The news each week, whether it's healthcare, industry, news, policy 00:00:22.550 --> 00:00:27.530 updates, expert insights, or just really cool stories we find from the 00:00:27.530 --> 00:00:31.960 field to help keep medical practice leaders informed and inspired. 00:00:32.200 --> 00:00:37.900 So this week, Colleen, what are you finding that's inspiring or informing you? 00:00:38.620 --> 00:00:42.280 Colleen Luckett: well, this week in Washington, a storm is brewing over 00:00:42.280 --> 00:00:47.340 the house, GOPs proposed budget plan, which aims to fund substantial tax 00:00:47.340 --> 00:00:51.690 cuts for the wealthy by implementing significant reductions to Medicaid. 00:00:51.690 --> 00:00:55.320 I'm sure most people listening have heard of this, but the proposal 00:00:55.320 --> 00:00:59.610 has ignited fierce debate among healthcare leaders and policymakers. 00:00:59.940 --> 00:01:03.600 So in my article, first article, it's titled, hospitals say Medicaid 00:01:03.600 --> 00:01:08.610 Cuts in GOP plan would leave millions without coverage and force closures. 00:01:09.000 --> 00:01:12.180 Ron Southwick of Chief Healthcare Executive reports 00:01:12.180 --> 00:01:15.660 on the potential ramifications of the proposed Medicaid cuts. 00:01:16.140 --> 00:01:19.050 Healthcare leaders warned that these cuts could lead to millions 00:01:19.050 --> 00:01:22.470 losing access to care and may force some hospitals to shut down. 00:01:22.830 --> 00:01:23.970 So Bruce Siegel. 00:01:24.225 --> 00:01:29.385 MD President and CEO of America's Essential Hospitals describes the plan 00:01:29.385 --> 00:01:34.455 as a direct assault on our nation's healthcare system, emphasizing that 00:01:34.455 --> 00:01:39.105 essential hospitals, which already operate on thin margins cannot absorb 00:01:39.105 --> 00:01:43.125 such losses without reducing services or closing their doors altogether. 00:01:43.500 --> 00:01:49.440 The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the plan would cut $715 billion 00:01:49.440 --> 00:01:53.340 from Medicaid by 2034, resulting in 8.6 00:01:53.340 --> 00:01:55.560 million Americans losing coverage. 00:01:56.255 --> 00:02:00.395 Rick Pollock, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association. 00:02:00.467 --> 00:02:05.237 Labels the proposal, a quote, devastating blow to vulnerable communities, warning 00:02:05.237 --> 00:02:08.597 that it would lead to millions of hardworking Americans losing access to 00:02:08.597 --> 00:02:12.951 healthcare and many hospitals struggling to maintain services Similarly. 00:02:13.021 --> 00:02:17.138 Sister Mary Haddad , President and CEO of the Catholic Health Association of the 00:02:17.138 --> 00:02:21.818 United States urges Congress to consider the moral implications stating that 00:02:21.818 --> 00:02:25.748 the cuts would threaten access to care for millions in vulnerable communities. 00:02:26.288 --> 00:02:29.768 As debates continue, the healthcare community remains vigilant, 00:02:29.978 --> 00:02:33.608 emphasizing the critical role of Medicaid plays in providing access 00:02:33.608 --> 00:02:35.198 to care for millions of Americans. 00:02:35.558 --> 00:02:38.528 The proposed cuts have sparked a broader conversation about the 00:02:38.528 --> 00:02:40.148 nation's healthcare priorities. 00:02:40.438 --> 00:02:43.828 And the potential impact on both patients and providers. 00:02:44.308 --> 00:02:47.578 So for more detailed information, you can read the full article by 00:02:47.578 --> 00:02:51.328 Ron Southwick on Chief Healthcare Executives website, or of course 00:02:51.328 --> 00:02:53.098 we'll link it here in our show notes. 00:02:53.368 --> 00:02:53.608 Okay. 00:02:53.608 --> 00:02:54.418 Daniel over to you. 00:02:55.243 --> 00:02:56.143 Daniel Williams: Thanks, Colleen. 00:02:56.143 --> 00:02:57.103 All right, everybody. 00:02:57.103 --> 00:02:59.053 Let's dive into story number two. 00:02:59.353 --> 00:03:04.393 This piece comes from medical economics and it's titled, when Doctors Don't 00:03:04.393 --> 00:03:07.063 Listen, patients Stop Talking. 00:03:07.423 --> 00:03:12.493 This article was written by Austin Latrell and it was fact checked by Keith A. 00:03:12.493 --> 00:03:13.033 Reynolds. 00:03:14.173 --> 00:03:14.498 Here goes. 00:03:15.328 --> 00:03:17.938 A doctor shrugs off a patient's concern. 00:03:18.328 --> 00:03:22.918 Test results are normal and the patient leaves, assuming it's probably 00:03:22.918 --> 00:03:26.068 anxiety, but the impact lingers. 00:03:26.118 --> 00:03:31.578 Well, a new Rutgers Health report finds that when clinicians dismiss 00:03:31.878 --> 00:03:39.138 or downplay symptoms called symptom invalidation or medical gaslighting, 00:03:39.528 --> 00:03:44.208 patients can suffer long-term psychological and behavioral harm. 00:03:44.718 --> 00:03:51.198 The review published in psychological bulletin synthesized 151 studies 00:03:51.558 --> 00:03:54.228 involving more than 11,000 patients. 00:03:54.503 --> 00:04:02.033 With illnesses like fibromyalgia, long covid, endometriosis, and lupus 00:04:02.543 --> 00:04:09.013 invalidation led to a range of negative outcomes, including shame, suicidality, 00:04:09.133 --> 00:04:12.253 anxiety, and avoidance of future care. 00:04:13.003 --> 00:04:15.793 Consequences fell into four categories. 00:04:16.213 --> 00:04:19.573 Emotional harm, which is self-doubt or hopelessness. 00:04:20.293 --> 00:04:23.743 Healthcare related distress, anxiety and trauma. 00:04:24.193 --> 00:04:31.093 Behavioral changes, avoiding doctors downplaying symptoms and diagnostic 00:04:31.093 --> 00:04:34.363 delays, which can worsen disease outcomes. 00:04:34.903 --> 00:04:40.753 Increasingly visits involving uncertain or difficult diagnoses driven by 00:04:40.753 --> 00:04:43.633 syndromes like long covid are common. 00:04:44.668 --> 00:04:50.338 Yet many clinicians lack training in how to manage uncertainty, relying 00:04:50.338 --> 00:04:56.218 on workflows that often overlook complex patient stories, bon tempo 00:04:56.218 --> 00:05:00.913 stress that validating a patient's experience doesn't require a diagnosis. 00:05:01.823 --> 00:05:06.323 Patients appreciate clinicians communicating uncertainty rather 00:05:06.323 --> 00:05:08.843 than offering hollow reassurance. 00:05:08.873 --> 00:05:13.733 She said the researchers built a model linking invalidation to 00:05:13.733 --> 00:05:19.103 emotional distress, withdrawal from care and poor health outcomes. 00:05:19.523 --> 00:05:23.123 They call for improving clinician training to address this. 00:05:23.573 --> 00:05:27.593 Patients often must advocate for themselves a difficult and 00:05:27.593 --> 00:05:29.813 sometimes unsustainable burden. 00:05:30.303 --> 00:05:35.103 Bon Tempo advises bringing a partner or friend to appointments for support. 00:05:35.643 --> 00:05:41.223 Ultimately, the study highlights that even small changes in how clinicians respond to 00:05:41.223 --> 00:05:45.093 patient concerns could reduce harm, and I. 00:05:45.178 --> 00:05:50.128 Offer much needed validation to those struggling with misunderstood illnesses. 00:05:50.518 --> 00:05:52.948 And we're gonna bring this up again in my next story. 00:05:52.948 --> 00:05:57.118 This is May and it's Mental Health Awareness month. 00:05:57.118 --> 00:05:59.488 So our other story's gonna touch on that as well. 00:05:59.488 --> 00:06:03.208 So with that said, Colleen, I'm gonna turn it back over to you. 00:06:03.913 --> 00:06:04.273 Colleen Luckett: Right. 00:06:04.303 --> 00:06:06.433 That's a really important topic and I'm glad they're 00:06:06.433 --> 00:06:08.143 putting a name to it, actually. 00:06:08.263 --> 00:06:09.043 That's good. 00:06:09.523 --> 00:06:14.023 All right, well let's get into some some MGMA stat polling results. 00:06:14.023 --> 00:06:18.853 So in this week's stat poll, we asked healthcare leaders to weigh in on 00:06:18.853 --> 00:06:23.713 how their staff turnover rates are trending in 2025, and there seems to be 00:06:23.713 --> 00:06:26.113 a bit of cautious optimism out there. 00:06:26.193 --> 00:06:30.123 Seven outta 10 respondents reported turnover as either holding steady. 00:06:30.153 --> 00:06:31.503 It's about 35%. 00:06:31.958 --> 00:06:37.958 Improving 35% compared to last year, while 29% said it had increased. 00:06:38.948 --> 00:06:42.398 So medical assistants and front office staff remained the most cited. 00:06:42.398 --> 00:06:45.908 Pain points for turnover, whether things are holding steady or getting 00:06:45.908 --> 00:06:49.898 worse, but many practices seeing improvement shared the same theme, 00:06:50.108 --> 00:06:52.868 strategic role, specific retention. 00:06:53.108 --> 00:06:57.218 That means clear career ladders, better pay onboarding, upgrades, 00:06:57.218 --> 00:07:00.398 and even character-based hiring to build stronger teams. 00:07:01.023 --> 00:07:05.313 Hiring and retention strategies now often include everything from sign-on bonuses 00:07:05.313 --> 00:07:09.933 and education stipends to partnerships with local schools and centralized 00:07:09.933 --> 00:07:11.913 admin support to reduce burnout. 00:07:12.393 --> 00:07:15.573 Some practices are getting really creative, bringing EMTs or 00:07:15.573 --> 00:07:17.103 nursing students into MA roles. 00:07:17.643 --> 00:07:22.113 Retraining existing staff and offering flexible work where possible. 00:07:22.533 --> 00:07:27.153 Meanwhile, the Borough of Labor statistics data shows that the average 00:07:27.153 --> 00:07:30.783 healthcare quit rate has dipped to 2%. 00:07:30.963 --> 00:07:32.943 Its lowest since before the pandemic. 00:07:33.213 --> 00:07:38.103 Though the pace of new hires is also slowing in early 2025, ambulatory 00:07:38.103 --> 00:07:41.853 care practices in particular are still feeling the lingering effects 00:07:41.853 --> 00:07:44.108 of the post 2020 workforce disruption. 00:07:44.573 --> 00:07:47.183 But signs of stabilization are growing stronger. 00:07:47.363 --> 00:07:51.713 So as we move into 2026, building a resilient and committed workforce will 00:07:51.713 --> 00:07:56.723 require continued investment, cultural alignment, and a touch of creativity. 00:07:57.303 --> 00:08:00.933 our ability at MGMA to provide great resources, education, and 00:08:00.933 --> 00:08:05.283 advocacy depends on a strong feedback loop with you healthcare leaders. 00:08:05.553 --> 00:08:07.729 So to be part of this effort, sign up for MGMA. 00:08:07.868 --> 00:08:10.388 Stat and make your voice heard in our weekly polls. 00:08:10.628 --> 00:08:18.938 Sign up by texting stat STAT 2 3 3 5 5 0 or you can visit mgma.com/mgma. 00:08:19.538 --> 00:08:24.038 Stat polls will be sent to your phone via text message weekly. 00:08:24.458 --> 00:08:25.658 Okay, Daniel, back to you. 00:08:26.348 --> 00:08:26.918 Daniel Williams: All right. 00:08:26.918 --> 00:08:28.028 Thanks again, Colleen. 00:08:28.028 --> 00:08:32.678 And as mentioned earlier, may is Mental Health Awareness Month, and 00:08:32.678 --> 00:08:36.338 it's the perfect time to dive into a story that really hits home. 00:08:36.698 --> 00:08:42.158 Today's story is unique generational mental health needs highlight 00:08:42.158 --> 00:08:44.378 demand for personalized care. 00:08:44.618 --> 00:08:49.508 This was published by Fierce Healthcare and it was written by Anastasia. 00:08:49.933 --> 00:08:51.253 Glia Koski. 00:08:51.763 --> 00:08:52.963 I hope I got that right. 00:08:52.963 --> 00:08:53.713 Anastasia. 00:08:54.133 --> 00:08:59.773 According to a nurse new survey from ULA Health, more than half of Americans 00:08:59.773 --> 00:09:05.593 have accessed mental health services at some point in their lives over a quarter 00:09:05.773 --> 00:09:10.903 or currently in therapy, and another quarter had therapy in just the past year. 00:09:11.053 --> 00:09:12.223 And here's the good news. 00:09:12.433 --> 00:09:16.423 Nearly 80% of those who sought help said their mental health. 00:09:16.473 --> 00:09:17.373 had improved. 00:09:17.733 --> 00:09:22.533 The survey also pulls back the curtain on why people are reaching out for support. 00:09:22.953 --> 00:09:28.953 Top drivers include economic uncertainty, political tension, and the ongoing 00:09:28.953 --> 00:09:30.993 ripple effects of the pandemic. 00:09:31.248 --> 00:09:37.158 Anxiety, depression and stress still dominate, but trauma is now front and 00:09:37.158 --> 00:09:40.068 center, especially for younger adults. 00:09:40.368 --> 00:09:46.278 In fact, one in three individuals aged 18 to 24 said trauma was 00:09:46.278 --> 00:09:48.408 the main reason they saw therapy. 00:09:49.068 --> 00:09:53.323 Doug Newton rulers chief medical Officer, summed it up perfectly. 00:09:53.748 --> 00:09:55.728 Trauma is deeply personal. 00:09:55.903 --> 00:09:58.243 And care has to be personal too. 00:09:58.873 --> 00:10:03.253 But even as the conversation around mental health grows louder, real 00:10:03.253 --> 00:10:05.593 barriers still stand in the way. 00:10:05.953 --> 00:10:10.183 A quarter of respondents said cost kept them from seeking care. 00:10:10.753 --> 00:10:12.943 Others cited insurance issues. 00:10:13.068 --> 00:10:16.158 Or struggling to find the right therapist. 00:10:16.608 --> 00:10:20.958 This survey reminds us that while we've come a long way in breaking the stigma, 00:10:21.258 --> 00:10:27.228 access to personalized, affordable mental health care remains a serious challenge. 00:10:27.528 --> 00:10:32.088 The more we listen and truly hear what patients are experiencing, the 00:10:32.088 --> 00:10:36.078 better chance we have of building a system that meets people where they 00:10:36.078 --> 00:10:38.958 are with compassion and understanding. 00:10:39.348 --> 00:10:43.158 So again, everybody may is mental health awareness month. 00:10:43.428 --> 00:10:48.348 We'll drop in some additional links where you can access tools, 00:10:49.098 --> 00:10:51.648 data, and perhaps help as well. 00:10:51.648 --> 00:10:53.478 So, Colleen, back over to you. 00:10:53.973 --> 00:10:56.913 Colleen Luckett: Well, I was gonna say, Daniel has done a lot of good work 00:10:56.913 --> 00:10:59.443 toward our mental health here at MGMA. 00:10:59.443 --> 00:11:01.963 And you just had a little anniversary, right? 00:11:01.993 --> 00:11:02.383 Do you wanna 00:11:02.383 --> 00:11:02.443 Daniel Williams: Yeah. 00:11:03.238 --> 00:11:05.458 Yeah, tell everyone we are celebrating in May. 00:11:05.458 --> 00:11:10.168 We are celebrating five years of Mindful Monday at MGMA. 00:11:10.408 --> 00:11:12.268 I did post something on LinkedIn. 00:11:12.268 --> 00:11:16.348 I tried to stay off of social media as I was telling Colleen earlier today. 00:11:16.708 --> 00:11:20.298 But, this was something that I just thought was really cool during the 00:11:20.298 --> 00:11:24.678 lockdown, during the heat of the pandemic, when we literally didn't even know. 00:11:25.203 --> 00:11:28.573 How, COVID-19 was being transferred that far. 00:11:28.603 --> 00:11:33.913 you know, or that early into that, that trauma and that terrible situation 00:11:33.913 --> 00:11:34.903 that we were all dealing with. 00:11:35.093 --> 00:11:38.573 some people at MGMA gathered together and decided to create Mindful 00:11:38.573 --> 00:11:43.523 Monday, which basically every Monday, 8:00 AM Mountain time, where we 00:11:43.523 --> 00:11:46.623 are, we gather for 15 minutes to. 00:11:47.388 --> 00:11:51.138 Be mindful to meditate, to have some guided meditations, 00:11:51.138 --> 00:11:52.248 different things there. 00:11:52.248 --> 00:11:56.838 if anybody wants to know about Mindful Monday, a Mindful Monday program, how 00:11:56.838 --> 00:11:58.938 it might fit into your organization, 00:11:58.988 --> 00:12:01.538 Email me, dWilliams@mgma.com. 00:12:01.538 --> 00:12:04.018 I'd love to walk through it with you and share it with you. 00:12:04.068 --> 00:12:04.518 Colleen Luckett: course. 00:12:04.518 --> 00:12:04.698 Yeah. 00:12:04.698 --> 00:12:08.118 Here at MGMA we not only talk the talk, we walk the walk. 00:12:09.168 --> 00:12:09.978 Thanks to Daniel there. 00:12:11.088 --> 00:12:13.933 All right, well, let's close with a forward-looking story that 00:12:13.933 --> 00:12:16.123 centers innovation in patients. 00:12:16.363 --> 00:12:21.913 An article titled The FDA's AI Leap Ushering in a New Era of Drug Review 00:12:21.943 --> 00:12:26.983 published by the gMed team a few days ago, highlighted how the FDA is going 00:12:26.983 --> 00:12:31.123 full speed ahead with a generative AI rollout across the agency. 00:12:31.213 --> 00:12:31.903 The goal. 00:12:32.213 --> 00:12:36.233 Fully integrate AI tools by June 30th, 2025. 00:12:36.263 --> 00:12:37.283 Pretty aggressive there. 00:12:37.733 --> 00:12:40.883 So these tools won't replace scientists, don't panic. 00:12:41.153 --> 00:12:45.503 They're designed to support them by automating repetitive tasks like sorting 00:12:45.503 --> 00:12:47.603 data and summarizing clinical trials. 00:12:47.653 --> 00:12:51.163 For healthcare leaders, this means quicker drug approvals, more efficient 00:12:51.163 --> 00:12:55.003 trials, and ultimately faster access to lifesaving therapies. 00:12:55.033 --> 00:12:58.693 Hopefully the effort is being customized across departments 00:12:58.693 --> 00:13:01.033 to ensure secure compliant use. 00:13:01.123 --> 00:13:05.173 The FDA is also working with OpenAI and other tech leaders to get it right 00:13:05.623 --> 00:13:06.673 before rolling out it's AI tools. 00:13:06.673 --> 00:13:10.893 The FDA issued draft guidance outlining a risk-based framework 00:13:10.893 --> 00:13:12.663 for regulatory decision making. 00:13:13.053 --> 00:13:17.483 The document stresses the importance of transparency, reproducibility and 00:13:17.483 --> 00:13:22.193 trust, and makes it clear that AI must be credible, not just capable. 00:13:22.463 --> 00:13:25.733 It signals to industry that while innovation is encouraged, it 00:13:25.733 --> 00:13:29.663 must be implemented with strong guardrails and ethical oversight. 00:13:30.083 --> 00:13:33.053 Still, some experts are urging caution. 00:13:33.053 --> 00:13:33.743 So Dr. 00:13:33.743 --> 00:13:34.643 Katie Specter bag. 00:13:35.658 --> 00:13:39.258 A bioethics professor at the University of Michigan has warned 00:13:39.258 --> 00:13:43.308 that quote, there's a real risk of over-reliance on opaque systems. 00:13:44.043 --> 00:13:47.463 If we don't know how the AI makes decisions, how can we ensure those 00:13:47.463 --> 00:13:49.563 decisions are fair or accurate? 00:13:49.653 --> 00:13:50.643 That's a fair question. 00:13:51.033 --> 00:13:51.333 Dr. 00:13:51.333 --> 00:13:55.233 Alex John London, director of the Center for Ethics and Policy at Carnegie 00:13:55.233 --> 00:13:59.493 Mellon emphasized the importance of transparency, saying quote, the 00:13:59.493 --> 00:14:01.683 promise of AI in healthcare is real. 00:14:02.023 --> 00:14:05.953 So is the danger of bias if we let black box systems make high stakes 00:14:05.953 --> 00:14:08.203 calls without adequate human oversight. 00:14:08.653 --> 00:14:12.703 There's also concern about regulatory capture or pressure to approve drugs 00:14:12.733 --> 00:14:14.473 faster without enough scrutiny. 00:14:15.043 --> 00:14:19.303 If AI is perceived as a shortcut rather than a tool, public trust 00:14:19.353 --> 00:14:22.893 could erode, especially if the rollout is rushed for political wins. 00:14:23.828 --> 00:14:29.078 Even former FDA Commissioner Robert Kaif has noted that AI systems can 00:14:29.078 --> 00:14:33.248 quote amplify disparities if they're trained on data sets that under 00:14:33.248 --> 00:14:35.438 represent marginalized communities. 00:14:35.828 --> 00:14:39.008 So yes, the bots are here to help, but healthcare leaders 00:14:39.008 --> 00:14:40.928 still need to read the fine print. 00:14:41.293 --> 00:14:45.373 AI could be a revolutionary ally in the drug review process, but 00:14:45.373 --> 00:14:49.483 only if it's deployed responsibly with clear guardrails, diverse 00:14:49.483 --> 00:14:51.253 data and human oversight. 00:14:51.643 --> 00:14:55.453 As always, tech is only as ethical as the people guiding it. 00:14:56.383 --> 00:14:58.423 And that's a wrap for me today. 00:14:58.423 --> 00:14:59.263 Daniel, back to you. 00:14:59.603 --> 00:15:01.523 Daniel Williams: All right, and that's a wrap for this week of 00:15:01.523 --> 00:15:03.563 MGMA Weekend Review Podcast. 00:15:03.563 --> 00:15:07.073 Thank you all for listening, and again, just as a reminder, may 00:15:07.073 --> 00:15:08.783 is Mental Health Awareness Month. 00:15:08.993 --> 00:15:13.883 Seriously, y'all, if any of you are feeling anything, any mental health issues 00:15:13.883 --> 00:15:15.773 or anybody you love or know out there. 00:15:16.998 --> 00:15:20.628 I'm so glad that the stigma of all that is, is going away, that people 00:15:20.628 --> 00:15:24.788 can feel, open, that they will not be stigmatized if they go to their 00:15:24.818 --> 00:15:28.808 bosses or their workplace or wherever it might be to get the help they need. 00:15:28.808 --> 00:15:34.078 So with that said, I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend, and, y'all take care. 00:15:34.738 --> 00:15:35.218 Colleen Luckett: Thanks everyone. 00:15:35.218 --> 00:15:36.088 See you next time.