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CareTalk Podcast

CareTalk Podcast

Incisive debate on healthcare policy and politics - a no B.S. insider’s view of what works and what doesn’t in American healthcare.

What is the Healthcare Impact of the Debt Limit Deal?

Congress’s failure to raise the debt limit has brought the US perilously close to default. Republicans have insisted on major cuts to federal spending –including in healthcare—in exchange for their votes. President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy worked out an agreement in principle, which gives in, at least partially, to the GOP demands while preserving Democratic priorities. So, what’s the impact of the debt ceiling deal on healthcare? Will the deal have a real impact or is it all just smoke and mirrors?ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webFOLLOW CARETALKSpotifyApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsFollow us on LinkedInSubscribe to the CareTalk Newsletter to access exclusive content and insights covering the biggest topics in healthcare today. Produced by Grippi Media
May 31, 2023

Should Hospitals Have Their Own Police Forces?

Violent attacks against healthcare workers are rising, leading some hospitals to launch their own police forces. Enhanced security and faster response times sound great. But what about patient rights, potential abuses, and the financial burden at a time when hospital finances are strained? In this episode of CareTalk, John and David examine the rise of hospital police forces and debate whether or not they are a good idea.TOPICS(1:01) Why is there a debate about hospitals having their own police forces?(5:29) Benefits and drawbacks with hospital police forces(7:20) Does an “armed” environment make it a safer one?(10:44) What framework is needed in order to establish a hospital police force?ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webFOLLOW CARETALKSpotifyApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsFollow us on LinkedInSubscribe to the CareTalk Newsletter to access exclusive content and insights covering the biggest topics in healthcare today. Produced by Grippi Media
May 24, 2023

What’s Behind the Adderall Shortage?

The Adderall shortage is causing hardships for patients and families relying on the medication to manage ADHD. The surge in ADHD diagnoses and telemedicine prescriptions during the public health emergency, along with manufacturing disruptions, contribute to the problem.Initially, the federal government planned to reduce controlled substance availability through telemedicine. However, due to a significant response of tens of thousands of comments, they will maintain the pandemic-era rules for another six months.Why is there an Adderall shortage? When will it end? Can ADHD be advantageous? Listen to hear what John and David had to say.ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy. GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webFOLLOW CARETALKSpotifyApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsFollow us on LinkedInSubscribe to the CareTalk Newsletter to access exclusive content and insights covering the biggest topics in healthcare today. Produced by Grippi Media
May 16, 2023

The Epidemic of Loneliness

Surgeon General Vivek Murphy recently issued an advisory calling it an epidemic. Things were bad enough before the pandemic but they got worse, with more than half of people reporting loneliness according to some surveys.There are solutions out there, but it’s a mixed bag. Social media might help make connections but too often it has the opposite effect. And we’re just getting started with AI…Join John and David in this thought-provoking episode as they unravel the complexities of the loneliness epidemic and explore ways to combat it.TOPICS(1:11) Dire consequences of loneliness (3:13) The epidemic of disconnection(4:24) Does technology play a role in loneliness in the younger population?(5:30) The erosion of social connection(9:38) Loneliness is more than just a healthcare problem(13:14) Is there one sole solution to loneliness? ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.  GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webFOLLOW CARETALKSpotifyApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsFollow us on LinkedInSubscribe to the CareTalk Newsletter to access exclusive content and insights covering the biggest topics in healthcare today.Produced by Grippi MediaSubscribe to the CareTalk Newsletter to access exclusive content and insights covering the biggest topics in healthcare today. Produced by Grippi Media
May 10, 2023

Cybersecurity Concerns in Healthcare

As healthcare increasingly relies on technology, it has become even more susceptible to cyber threats, making cybersecurity a major area of concern for the industry. In this episode of CareTalk, John and David examine the major cybersecurity risks in healthcare and what businesses can do to protect themselves and their customers.TOPICS(0:46) How do we navigate in a world where all different kinds of institutions are getting hacked?(1:56) How Credential Stuffing was used in recent healthcare hacks(5:30) Potential implications and risks for patient claims information being released(8:53) What can individuals do to protect themselves from the risk of being hacked?(14:01) What can companies do to prevent being hacked?GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webFOLLOW CARETALKSpotifyApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsFollow us on LinkedInSPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORSProvider Solutions & DevelopmentInstitute for Healthcare ImprovementCareCentrixSubscribe to the CareTalk Newsletter to access exclusive content and insights covering the biggest topics in healthcare today. Produced by Grippi Media
May 3, 2023

Dr. Eric Bricker on Healthcare Finance

It finally happened! CareTalk and Dr. Eric Bricker (AHealthcareZ), two titans of healthcare YouTube, join forces to take on some of the juiciest topics in healthcare finance and more.🎙️Providers taking on risk: who’s getting it right?🎙️Are digital health startups able to make a difference?🎙️Health insurers decreasing prior authorization - is it for real or for show?🎙️Is it practical for consumers to compare hospital prices?Hear what Eric, John and David had to about all of this and more, in a very special edition of CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy. ABOUT DR. ERIC BRICKERDr. Bricker is an Internal Medicine Physician and the former Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Compass Professional Health Services. Dr. Bricker is also the Founder and Chief Medical Officer for AHealthcareZ, a YouTube channel dedicated to explaining how the US healthcare system works... or doesn't work.  GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webFOLLOW CARETALKSpotifyApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsFollow us on LinkedInSubscribe to the CareTalk Newsletter to access exclusive content and insights covering the biggest topics in healthcare today. Produced by Grippi Media
April 27, 2023
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CareTalk

Caretalk is a weekly podcast that provides incisive debate on healthcare policy and politics - a no B.S. insider’s view of what works and what doesn’t in American healthcare. After a quarter century bantering with one another, John Driscoll (CEO, CareCentrix) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) launched CareTalk to publicly debate healthcare policy and business topics, including drug pricing, digital health, the pandemic, Medicare for All, racial disparities and more. Since 2017 they’ve co-hosted 110+ episodes and interrogated prominent guests from industry, government, and academia.

Team

John Driscoll, President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance

John Driscoll, President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance

John Driscoll has been at the center of healthcare innovation for more than two decades, leading large companies across sectors.

He is currently the President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance. Prior to this role, John was the CEO of CareCentrix, the industry leader in bringing healthcare to the home. His career includes roles in healthcare technology (Castlight), pharmacy benefit managers (Medco, SureScripts) and insurance (Oxford) companies. John’s ongoing interest in and dedication to public health and healthcare innovation led to being selected by the Obama White House for its Entrepreneurs in Residence program to advise the FDA on innovation. John also serves as the Chairman of the Waystar Corporation and is an active investor in emerging healthcare technologies.

He helped found Testing for America and serves on its Governing Council and is the Co-Chair of the United States of Care’s Entrepreneurs Council. He chairs the Truman National Security Project, and served as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve. John is a Board Member for the Alliance for Hunger. John has published articles in national publications including the Los Angeles Times, Time Magazine, The Guardian and Politico.
David Williams, President, Health Business Group

David Williams, President, Health Business Group

David Williams is a healthcare business consultant, board member and blogger. He is President of Health Business Group, which he co-founded in 2003 after more than a decade with the Boston Consulting Group and LEK. As an independent board member, David helps build value for companies including iCardiac Technologies (cardiac safety), Clerio Vision (medical lasers), Vericred (data utility for health insurance), and Home Care Delivered (medical supplies). For a decade he chaired the board of the Hearts & Noses Hospital Clown Troupe, which provides professionally trained volunteer clowns at the bedside.

David has been a reviewer and chairman for the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, helping implement HITECH and Obamacare. He is frequently quoted on healthcare topics by NPR, Business Week, Al Jazeera, US News, The Boston Globe, and others. He has written and podcasted for his Health Business Blog since 2005. David holds a BA in Economics from Wesleyan University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

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