Relocalizing Health with Dave Chase

TopHealth Media

While Washington argues and Wall Street profits, a quiet transformation is reshaping healthcare: one community at a time. Relocalizing Health takes you inside this movement with Dave Chase, founder of Health Rosetta, as he talks with the people leading healthcare's ground-up transformation. Their approach? Keep care local, rebuild trust, and redirect healthcare wasted spending into something that actually serves people. You'll hear real-world stories from employers, clinicians, and civic leaders who are designing health plans and ecosystems that work, and strengthening their local economies in the process. Featured guests include: - Public sector leaders who've redesigned employee health benefits to free up millions for essential services. - Physicians who've left corporate systems to practice relationship-based care. - Manufacturing executives using healthcare as a competitive advantage - not a cost burden. - Civic leaders helping communities reclaim control of their healthcare destiny. If you care about your community's future and want to see what's actually working in healthcare transformation, this show offers a clear-eyed look at proven models and how to implement them.

  1. 13 MAY

    Cancer Survivorship and the Push for Collective Patient Power

    Welcome to another episode of Relocalizing Health, the show about reclaiming healthcare and strengthening our communities. I’m your host, Dave Chase, author of Relocalizing Health: Taking Back Healthcare, Rebuilding Communities. Today, we dive into the realities of being a patient in America, a system where too often, getting sick can mean financial ruin, emotional devastation, and feeling invisible. Our guest, Matthew Zachary, survived brain cancer as a young concert pianist and went on to do something even rarer, turning his experience into a national movement. As the founder of Stupid Cancer, host of the Out of Patients podcast, and cofounder of We The Patients, Matthew Zachary has spent nearly three decades fighting to give patients a real collective voice in a healthcare maze designed to isolate and overwhelm. In this conversation, we explore what it means when patients stop being statistics and start becoming a civic force, the power of collective activism, and how something as simple as a patient navigator can be the “seatbelt” we all need on our healthcare journey. We’ll talk about fighting denial engines, rethinking industry incentives, and why the revolution in healthcare might just be led by people who never wanted to be activists in the first place. Let’s dive in. Timestamps: 00:00 Empowering patient advocacy 05:32 Financial strain of cancer care 09:29 Discussing healthcare affordability issues 12:08 Concerns over AI in healthcare 14:24 Understanding healthcare appeals process 18:20 Understanding patient needs vs. system assumptions 21:08 Discussing product design flaws 23:14 Using nurse navigators for better care 27:11 Discussing civic power in healthcare 31:56 Audrey Tang and gov0 initiative 35:26 Discussing waste in healthcare spending 37:20 Challenging powerful hospital systems 40:02 Discussing Matthew's impact and achievements Learn More: RosettaFest 2026 - https://rosettafest.org/ Health Rosetta - http://healthrosetta.org/ Nautilus - https://www.nautilushealth.org/ Kynexions - https://kynexions.com/  Dave Chase - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasedave/ Podcast Website - https://relocalizinghealth.com/

    42 min
  2. 1 MAY

    From Farm Lights to Healthcare Heights: How Cooperatives Solve America's Toughest Challenges

    Welcome to another episode of Relocalizing Health, where host Dave Chase draws a bold parallel between America’s rural electrification revolution and the grassroots transformation happening in healthcare today. In this episode, Dave Chase unpacks the inspiring story of Iowa farmers who built miles of power lines before they even had a power source, showing how local ingenuity can spark nationwide change. He introduces his “three, two, one” framework, a blueprint where pioneering communities prove what’s possible, their success spreads, and smart policy amplifies the impact. You’ll hear real-world examples of how forward-thinking communities and cooperatives are reclaiming healthcare, like employer health plans in Wisconsin, a transformative effort in Ashtabula, Ohio, and successful models from Alaska Native tribes. Dave Chase shares actionable steps for employers, cooperatives, and policymakers to join the movement, and unveils his new book, "Relocalizing Health." Whether you’re a healthcare professional, policymaker, or simply passionate about your community’s wellbeing, this episode offers hope, practical guidance, and a reminder that American ingenuity is alive and ready to reinvent healthcare from the ground up. Timestamps: 00:00 "Farmers' Power Revolution" 04:23 "Cooperatives: Community-Driven Solutions" 09:05 "Localized Care vs. Distant Decisions" 10:10 "From Worst to Best Healthcare" 16:15 "Empowering Community Health Innovation" 17:03 "Transforming Healthcare at Rosetta Fest" 20:18 "Transforming Communities, Reclaiming Healthcare" Learn More: RosettaFest 2026 - https://rosettafest.org/ Health Rosetta - http://healthrosetta.org/ Nautilus - https://www.nautilushealth.org/ Kynexions - https://kynexions.com/  Dave Chase - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasedave/ Podcast Website - https://relocalizinghealth.com/

    22 min
  3. 21 ABR

    How Plainfield Eliminated Deductibles, Cut Payroll Costs & Invested Savings Back Into Its Own People

    Welcome to Relocalizing Health. In this episode, we shine a light on Plainfield, Indiana, a town just west of Indianapolis, where public sector employees like police officers, firefighters, and public works staff were once priced out of their own healthcare. Nate Thorne, assistant town manager, joins us to share how Plainfield broke free from years of rising premiums and shrinking paychecks, fundamentally transforming its approach to employee health benefits. Instead of accepting sky-high insurance costs as an inevitable “healthcare trend,” Plainfield’s leadership took courageous steps: moving to a self-insured health plan, forging a direct contract with their local hospital, and reimagining benefits so workers now pay zero deductibles and co-pays, with real dollars flowing back into their households. These savings built meaningful new programs like mental health support and childcare assistance, and Nate Thorne and his team are on a mission to show other cities and counties that there is a better way. Whether you manage a city, run HR for a school district, or just want a behind-the-scenes look at how local governments can invest in their people and communities, this episode brings you the story, the lessons, and the playbook, direct from a Rosie Award finalist, on how to take back control of your health plan and rethink what’s possible for your workforce. Timestamps: 00:00 Challenges of municipal worker benefits 04:21 Facing rising insurance costs 07:24 Challenge of risk in public policy 11:46 Implementing a Self-Insured Program 16:10 Managing healthcare spending changes 18:07 Cost-saving strategies for healthcare plans 22:02 Creative funding for employee benefits 26:18 Leadership and gradual progress advice 28:52 Challenges in the public sector 32:02 Managing retiree health benefits 35:13 Employee survey results on premiums 37:25 Annual employer gathering details 40:11 Plainfield's health plan changes Learn More: RosettaFest 2026 - https://rosettafest.org/ Health Rosetta - http://healthrosetta.org/ Nautilus - https://www.nautilushealth.org/ Kynexions - https://kynexions.com/  Dave Chase - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasedave/ Podcast Website - https://relocalizinghealth.com/

    42 min
  4. 15 ABR

    How a Food Bank Beat Rising Health Costs to Deliver Thriving Coverage for 170 Staff

    Welcome to Relocalizing Health. In this episode, we take you behind the scenes at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, where an organization fighting hunger is revolutionizing health benefits for its employees. Join Dave Chase as he sits down with Amy Lein, Chief Human Resource Officer at Second Harvest, to uncover how this nonprofit broke away from the broken health insurance model, creating one of the nation's highest-quality, most accessible benefit plans. Learn how every employee at Second Harvest pays zero in premiums, deductibles, and co-pays, translating into real quality of care and tangible support like paid leave and grocery assistance. Hear firsthand stories of transformation as employees, for the first time, can actually afford and access the care they need. This episode is a must-listen for nonprofit leaders, city managers, and anyone who has ever looked at a health insurance renewal and thought, “We can’t afford anything better.” As Dave and Amy reveal, a better way is not only possible, it’s already here. Timestamps: 00:00 Making healthcare affordable for employees 05:41 Improving employee healthcare access 09:14 The concierge nurse navigator 10:01 Affordable access to top doctors 14:32 How the gift card program works 19:35 Offering paid parental leave 22:37 Having access to quality healthcare 26:07 Rising healthcare costs and solutions 30:02 Vision for what's next 30:43 Creating a great workplace culture 34:38 Wrapping up with final advice Learn More: RosettaFest 2026 - https://rosettafest.org/ Health Rosetta - http://healthrosetta.org/ Nautilus - https://www.nautilushealth.org/ Kynexions - https://kynexions.com/  Dave Chase - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasedave/ Podcast Website - https://relocalizinghealth.com/

    38 min
  5. 6 ABR

    How Spooner Physical Therapy Relocalized Health Plans and Reduced Costs for Employers and Employees

    Welcome to Relocalizing Health with Dave Chase. In this episode, we explore what happens when a clinical leader takes health care into their own hands for both their patients and their employees. We'll meet Tim Spooner, a physical therapist who, in 1990, opened a single clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona with the conviction that the right care, at the right time, can transform lives. Thirty-five years later, Tim leads Arizona's largest private PT practice, operates clinics across Arizona and Texas, and runs Solve Global, a company that's reshaping how employers nationwide address musculoskeletal health. But Tim's story doesn't stop with clinical excellence. Frustrated by skyrocketing premiums, opaque data, and decreasing reimbursements, he set out to redesign his company's health plan from the ground up. In the process, he redirected money typically lost to the old system back into his people, offering benefits like tuition reimbursement, direct primary care memberships, and robust musculoskeletal solutions. His efforts not only earned national recognition but also inspired other PT practices to follow suit. Today, we'll dive into Tim's journey of leadership and innovation, the challenges he faced, and how his blueprint for change is empowering others to reclaim health care, making it more transparent, effective, and people-focused. Stay tuned as we learn what it truly means to "walk the talk" in health care and why the proof is in the room. Timestamps: 00:00 How Tim Spooner got started 03:28 Discovering rising healthcare costs 08:06 High hospital markup example 13:14 Regenerative medicine success stories 15:36 Proactive healthcare and early intervention 19:57 Challenges for healthcare professionals 22:48 Transitioning to self-insured healthcare 24:12 Leadership and driving results 26:59 Medical costs and MRI findings 30:43 Navigating healthcare payment models 36:11 Closing advice for key audiences 36:49 Partnering with clinical practice leaders Learn More: RosettaFest 2026 - https://rosettafest.org/ Health Rosetta - http://healthrosetta.org/ Nautilus - https://www.nautilushealth.org/ Kynexions - https://kynexions.com/  Dave Chase - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasedave/ Podcast Website - https://relocalizinghealth.com/

    39 min
  6. 25 MAR

    How Primary Care and Community Agency Can Transform Healthcare from Extraction to Empowerment

    On this episode of Relocalizing Health, host Dave Chase sits down with family physician and author Michael Fine, a leading voice in healthcare reform and the driving force behind Primary Care for All Americans. Together, they unpack the provocative idea of medicine as a form of colonialism, exploring how corporate healthcare systems extract wealth from local communities and diminish their capacity for self-governance. Michael Fine draws on decades of experience, from running a small family practice to leading the Rhode Island Department of Health, to illustrate the devastating impact of for-profit healthcare on both patients and the social fabric of our towns. He shares revealing moments that highlight the true cost of primary care versus the astronomical amounts funneled out of communities, and explains why universal, community-driven primary care could be the linchpin for both improved health outcomes and economic resilience. The conversation doesn’t just examine what’s broken, it spotlights grassroots solutions and social movements rekindling democracy and civic engagement in healthcare. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of community health initiatives, the simple mechanics behind local health plans, and strategies that unite both fiscal conservatives and progressives in the fight to reclaim healthcare dollars. Through stories of hope, frustration, and action, this episode charts a path for how all Americans, clinicians, citizens, and policymakers alike can join together to rebuild a just and sustainable healthcare system from the ground up. Timestamps: 00:00 "Colonialism in Modern Healthcare" 04:58 "Radical Sliding Scale Practice" 09:00 "Essential Services for All" 11:41 "Preventing Second COVID Wave" 16:57 "Impact of Urban Health Inequity" 20:31 "Primary Care Reduces Healthcare Waste" 21:19 "Emergency Room Vortex Issues" 27:04 "Primary Care for All Idea" 29:50 Volunteer-Led Healthcare Voucher Program 33:13 Primary Care Gaps Revealed 37:31 "Social Movement & Governance Insights" 38:16 "Sustainable Democracy Through Participation" 41:19 "Healthcare System & Community Solutions" Learn More: RosettaFest 2026 - https://rosettafest.org/ Health Rosetta - http://healthrosetta.org/ Nautilus - https://www.nautilushealth.org/ Kynexions - https://kynexions.com/  Dave Chase - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasedave/ Podcast Website - https://relocalizinghealth.com/

    44 min
  7. 16 MAR

    Building Affordable Local Health Plans with HealthyPath in Rural Ohio

    Welcome to Relocalizing Health, the podcast that dives deep into how communities across America are reclaiming their healthcare from corporate control and building systems focused on people over profit. In this episode, we welcome Michael Norman, Chief Strategy Officer at Genesis Healthcare System in Zanesville, Ohio, and President of HealthyPath, a community-owned health plan product making a big impact. Mike shares his inspiring journey after being told his rural hospital wasn't "relevant" by a major insurance carrier, despite offering high-quality care at lower costs. This pivotal moment sparked the creation of HealthyPath, a product designed to empower local employers with affordable coverage options and give employees access to care without overwhelming deductibles. In just one year, HealthyPath’s 20 participating employers collectively saved $1.2 million, proving that local solutions can truly transform the healthcare landscape. Along the way, Mike discusses the importance of remaining independent as a community hospital, the economic role local healthcare systems play, and the pitfalls of consolidation that often leave rural communities behind. He also shares how employer feedback has shaped HealthyPath, where quality coverage is now helping businesses attract and retain talent, and employees can finally afford the care they need. We explore the innovative partnership between local hospitals and modern benefit advisors like Christina King, the collaborative power of rural Ohio's High Value Network, and what it takes to replicate this change in other communities. If you’re seeking hope and practical ideas for reshaping healthcare around local values and community needs, this episode is sure to inspire. Tune in as we shine a spotlight on those forging a new path, where community wellbeing comes first, and the American dream of accessible, affordable healthcare starts at home. Timestamps: 00:00 Rural Healthcare Challenges and Costs 04:59 Rural Hospital Relevance Challenge 10:17 Local Oversight Strengthens Communities 11:33 HealthyPath: Affordable Healthcare Solution 14:47 "Christina's Impact on HealthyPath" 18:16 $1.2M Employer Premium Savings 22:37 "From Skeptic to Advocate" 26:55 "Cost Management Through Local TPA" 30:42 Scaling Value-Based Healthcare Solutions 32:10 "Hospital Execs as Celebrities" 35:14 Transforming Healthcare and Employer Retention 38:32 "Rosetta Fest: Transforming Healthcare" Christina King - https://healthrosetta.org/advisors/christina-king/ Learn More: RosettaFest 2026 - https://rosettafest.org/ Health Rosetta - http://healthrosetta.org/ Nautilus - https://www.nautilushealth.org/ Kynexions - https://kynexions.com/  Dave Chase - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasedave/ Podcast Website - https://relocalizinghealth.com/

    41 min
  8. 23 FEB

    How Wisconsin Employers Are Transforming Healthcare Through Cooperative Action

    Welcome to Relocalizing Health, where we explore how communities are reclaiming control over healthcare and rebuilding systems that truly serve people. In this episode, host Dave Chase welcomes Patrick Blackaller, the driving force behind the Employer Healthcare Cooperative of Wisconsin. Together, they dive into the journey of transforming healthcare for schools and employers in Wisconsin, shifting from an extractive industry toward a model that prioritizes care, cost transparency, and community partnerships. You'll hear honest reflections on the tough choices and personal stories that sparked this movement, including the profound impact of rising costs and restrictive insurance plans on real people. Patrick Blackaller shares how direct contracts, innovative clinics, and new pharmacy approaches are not only saving millions but also bringing dignity and access back into healthcare. This episode is packed with lessons on pioneering change, even in the face of skepticism, and offers a blueprint for other communities ready to take bold steps toward a better future. Timestamps: 00:00 "Rural School Struggles with Healthcare" 05:04 "Creating Care Through Self-Funding" 09:14 Overcoming Skepticism to Find Support 12:50 Affordable Medication Access Strategies 14:23 "Optimizing Health Plans Affordably" 17:10 Streamlining Healthcare Navigation and Education 20:30 Healthcare Spending and Employer Insights 23:51 "Optimizing Quality and Cost Balance" 27:21 Perseverance Through Challenges 31:23 Purpose-Driven Leadership Strategies 35:21 "Relocalizing Health: American Comeback" Learn More: RosettaFest 2026 - https://rosettafest.org/ Health Rosetta - http://healthrosetta.org/ Nautilus - https://www.nautilushealth.org/ Kynexions - https://kynexions.com/  Dave Chase - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasedave/ Podcast Website - https://relocalizinghealth.com/

    38 min

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While Washington argues and Wall Street profits, a quiet transformation is reshaping healthcare: one community at a time. Relocalizing Health takes you inside this movement with Dave Chase, founder of Health Rosetta, as he talks with the people leading healthcare's ground-up transformation. Their approach? Keep care local, rebuild trust, and redirect healthcare wasted spending into something that actually serves people. You'll hear real-world stories from employers, clinicians, and civic leaders who are designing health plans and ecosystems that work, and strengthening their local economies in the process. Featured guests include: - Public sector leaders who've redesigned employee health benefits to free up millions for essential services. - Physicians who've left corporate systems to practice relationship-based care. - Manufacturing executives using healthcare as a competitive advantage - not a cost burden. - Civic leaders helping communities reclaim control of their healthcare destiny. If you care about your community's future and want to see what's actually working in healthcare transformation, this show offers a clear-eyed look at proven models and how to implement them.

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