Policy Prescriptions

Gary Jacobs
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Government
  • Updated Semiweekly

Policy Prescriptions brings you inside the conversations shaping tomorrow’s policy agenda today. Hosted by Gary Jacobs, author of The Zen Lobbyist, this show breaks down what’s happening on Capitol Hill and what it means for healthcare leaders, innovators, and decision makers. Each episode features sharp insights, real-world perspectives, and practical context around legislation, regulation, and the forces influencing public policy. Powered by Healthsperien, Policy Prescriptions connects policy to impact, so you stay informed, ahead, and prepared for what’s coming next.

Episodes

  1. Sep 23

    Real Doctors advising HHS on real issues, Meet Dr. Clive Fields

    Dr. Clive Fields — co-founder of VillageMD and Chair of the MAHA workgroup on the HHS/CMS Healthcare Advisory Committee — joins the Zen Lobbyist, Gary Jacobs and Tom Koutsoumpas, Founder and President of Healthsperien, to go inside the commission shaping U.S. healthcare policy. They cover the structure of the 16-member advisory committee, why end-of-life conversations fail patients, the case for the collaborative care model in mental health, rural healthcare access, deprescribing, and what it will take to scale value-based primary care nationally.  What You’ll Learn: • How the HHS/CMS Healthcare Advisory Committee is structured — 16 members, 6 workgroups, and how it actually operates day to day • What the "MAHA workgroup" is focused on and how it defines its mission • Why so few patients get meaningful end-of-life conversations — and why data access (not conversation) is often the real failure point • The difference between measuring "process" (did the box get checked) vs. "outcomes" in healthcare quality • Why Dr. Fields thinks lifestyle factors (exercise, nutrition, loneliness) are the "real vital signs" • The case for the collaborative care model as a fix for the mental health access gap in primary care • Why deprescribing should be led by primary care physicians, not specialists • How rural communities are solving access gaps through academic medical center partnerships • Why the U.S. primary care shortage can't be solved by producing more doctors — and what team-based care means as an alternative • Dr. Fields' take on the quality and motivations of career staff inside HHS and CMS Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome  02:25 From family doctor in Houston to national health reform figure 04:07 Founding VillageMD — scaling to 800 locations 05:41 Inside the HHS Healthcare Advisory Committee (structure & workgroups) 07:00 What Dr. Oz taught him about how CMS really works 09:12 The MAHA workgroup's mission 09:54 Why end-of-life conversations happen too late 12:46 The ER doctor's story: data access at the point of crisis 14:14 Annual wellness visits — process vs. outcomes 17:12 Pivot: lifestyle medicine as the "real vital signs" 10:03 The Mars analogy — rebuilding healthcare from primary care up 21:54 Addressing rural healthcare gaps 25:04 Case study: Boone, NC and academic medical center partnerships 28:33 Data interoperability as the key to efficiency 31:07 Mental health parity & the collaborative care model 34:00 Repurposing exam rooms for behavioral health integration 36:24 Deprescribing and the primary care doctor's role 37:44 The primary care physician shortage — team-based care as the fix 40:00 On the quality of people serving inside HHS/CMS 42:06 Closing thoughts

  2. Jun 9

    Patrick J. Kennedy: Why America’s Future Depends on Brain Health

    Former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy has spent decades fighting for mental health parity, addiction treatment, and a healthcare system that treats brain health with the same urgency as physical health. In this episode of Policy Prescriptions, host Gary Jacobs sits down with Patrick J. Kennedy and Healthsperien founder Tom Koutsoumpas to discuss why America’s future depends on protecting the health of our brains.Patrick shares the personal story behind his advocacy, including his own experience with addiction, the public disclosure that changed the direction of his political career, and the recovery journey that shaped his work after leaving Congress. The conversation explores the growing pressures facing young people, including social media algorithms, sports betting, cannabis, vaping, alcohol, and other industries built around capturing attention and encouraging compulsive behavior. Patrick explains why brain health affects far more than personal wellbeing. It shapes workforce participation, economic productivity, public safety, education, and America’s ability to compete in a rapidly changing world. Gary, Patrick, and Tom also discuss the need to move healthcare upstream by investing in prevention, early intervention, maternal mental health, long-term financing models, and stronger community-based care. Topics covered include: Patrick J. Kennedy’s personal connection to mental health advocacyThe fight for mental health parityWhy brain health should be treated as a national priorityThe effects of social media algorithms on young peopleThe rise of sports betting and cannabis use disorderMental health, addiction, and homelessnessThe connection between brain health and economic productivityPreventive care and upstream healthcare interventionsAI’s potential role in measuring long-term outcomesRecovery, connection, and the importance of speaking openlyPolicy Prescriptions is powered by Healthsperien, a health policy consulting firm that helps organizations navigate Washington with data-driven insights and strategic guidance. Learn more about Gary Jacobs and The Zen Lobbyist at garymjacobs.com. Subscribe for more conversations about healthcare policy, leadership, and practical solutions that can improve the lives of patients and communities. Chapters 00:00 Why America’s future depends on brain health 01:17 Patrick J. Kennedy’s personal journey with addiction 02:46 The disclosure that changed Patrick’s political career 03:38 Mental health parity and breaking the silence 04:47 Why the brain must be treated like every other organ 06:42 Tom Koutsoumpas on Healthsperien’s behavioral health work 09:43 Why mental and physical healthcare belong together 10:25 Social media algorithms and the dopamine economy 11:00 Sports betting and addiction-for-profit industries 12:39 Cannabis, psychosis, and rising treatment needs 14:00 Why brain health is a national security issue 16:02 Youth suicide, homelessness, and the growing crisis 18:03 Going upstream to reduce the risk of dementia 19:20 Why healthcare financing needs a long-term model 20:40 Nutrition, MAHA, and the food industry 23:10 Gary Jacobs on mindfulness and right speech 24:49 JFK, civic responsibility, and mental fitness 26:30 What the Green Berets understand about focus 28:21 Box breathing and the power of mental preparation 29:54 Preparing young people for the post-AI world 31:48 Why open conversations matter 33:19 Patrick’s recovery journey after leaving Congress 35:05 A Common Struggle and the power of connection 37:14 Final thoughts 38:10 Closing

  3. May 19

    Value-Based Care Explained | The Future of ACOs, Medicare & Healthcare Policy

    What does “value-based care” actually mean, and why are healthcare leaders betting the future of medicine on it? In this episode of Policy Prescriptions, Gary Jacobs sits down with Aisha Pittman, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at National Association of ACOs, and Ray Quintero, Managing Partner at Healthsperien, for a deep conversation about the future of healthcare policy, Medicare reform, and accountable care organizations (ACOs).They break down how value-based care works, why fee-for-service medicine creates problems, and how new models like ACO LEAD are reshaping the healthcare system. The conversation also explores:How ACOs improve patient outcomes while lowering costsWhy healthcare providers are moving toward risk-based careThe role CMS and CMMI play in healthcare innovationHow policy changes move from pilot programs into lawWhy healthcare lobbying is more about relationships than moneyThe future of Medicare and accountable careThe human side of healthcare leadership and advocacyGary, Aisha, and Ray also discuss mindfulness, leadership, and why collaboration matters in healthcare transformation.If you work in healthcare policy, value-based care, Medicare strategy, hospital leadership, physician advocacy, or healthcare innovation, this episode gives a practical look at where the industry is headed next. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Value-Based Care 01:35 What Value-Based Care Actually Means 03:47 How ACOs Change Healthcare Incentives 05:39 Helping Providers Navigate New Care Models 07:22 CMS, CMMI, and the Future of Healthcare Models 10:05 Why Healthcare Transformation Is Accelerating 12:00 ACO REACH vs ACO LEAD Explained 14:26 Bringing Specialists Into Accountable Care 15:18 Home-Based Care and High-Needs Patients 17:22 Why the LEAD Model Lasts 10 Years 18:33 The Mission Behind Healthcare Reform 20:20 Gary Jacobs on Yoga, Advocacy, and Leadership 23:38 Human Connection in Healthcare Policy 25:48 The Future of Value-Based Care 27:23 Will Fee-For-Service Ever Disappear? 29:43 What Healthcare Could Look Like in 10 Years 31:00 How Healthcare Models Become Law 33:18 Can Congress Actually Pass Reform? 36:29 Does Money Drive Healthcare Policy? 41:48 Why Relationships Matter More Than Lobbying Dollars 43:13 Final Thoughts

  4. Apr 21

    From Isolation to Connection: Neil Giraldo on Music, Mental Health, and Policy

    What role does music play in mental health and loneliness? In this episode of Policy Prescriptions, Gary Jacobs sits down with legendary musician Neil Giraldo and policy leader Andrew MacPherson to explore how social isolation is shaping public health and what we can do about it. Recorded at SXSW, this conversation connects music, policy, and human connection in a way that goes beyond headlines. Neil shares his personal story of growing up with anxiety and isolation, and how music became his way out. Andrew breaks down how loneliness impacts the brain, why policymakers are finally paying attention, and what real solutions look like at the national level. You’ll learn: Why loneliness is now a public health crisisHow music creates real emotional and biological changeThe role of storytelling in influencing policyWhy “social connection” belongs in healthcareWhat needs to change in Washington right now If you care about mental health, leadership, or the future of public policy, this conversation will shift how you see connection. ⏱️ CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro: Policy, loneliness, and SXSW 1:20 The social connection crisis explained 3:30 Neil Giraldo’s story of isolation and anxiety 6:40 How music became his escape 9:30 Spirituality, identity, and mental health 13:00 Why storytelling drives policy change 16:00 Music as part of the healthcare system 18:30 The science: endorphins, serotonin, and healing 20:00 What it feels like to connect with 20,000 people 22:30 Music saving lives: real fan stories 24:00 Policy solutions and funding for connection 26:00 Final thoughts: empathy, suffering, and healing

  5. Apr 2

    The Truth About Lobbying in Washington | Policy Prescriptions Episode 1

    What if lobbying isn’t the problem… but the solution? In this episode of Policy Prescriptions, Gary Jacobs sits down with healthcare policy leaders Andrew MacPherson and Tom Koutsoumpas to break down what lobbying actually is, how it works, and why most people misunderstand it. They explain how lobbying shapes healthcare, influences legislation, and impacts millions of lives. From the Medicare hospice benefit to modern health policy strategy, this conversation reveals how real change happens behind the scenes. You’ll also learn: Why lobbying is a core part of democracyHow policy decisions are influenced before meetings even happenThe role of storytelling, data, and trust in shaping legislationWhy access alone doesn’t drive resultsHow everyday Americans influence policy more than they thinkThis episode challenges the narrative around lobbying and shows how education, advocacy, and engagement drive real outcomes.If you care about healthcare, policy, or how decisions get made in Washington, this is a must-watch. Connect with Gary at garymjacobs.com and find our more about Tom and Andrew's work at healthsperien.com. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 What Is Lobbying Really? 01:45 Why Lobbying Gets a Bad Reputation 03:30 The Role of Advocacy in Democracy 06:00 Education vs Influence in Policy 08:00 What “Democratizing Lobbying” Means 11:00 Why Most People Don’t Understand Civics 13:00 The Real Cost of Lobbying Access 16:00 Access vs Expertise Debate 18:00 Why Storytelling Wins in Policy 21:00 The Power of Personal Stories 24:00 Do Former Politicians Have an Advantage? 26:00 What Makes an Effective Lobbyist 29:00 The Future of Lobbying and Technology 31:00 Final Lessons: Passion, Data, and Trust

  • 5 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Policy Prescriptions brings you inside the conversations shaping tomorrow’s policy agenda today. Hosted by Gary Jacobs, author of The Zen Lobbyist, this show breaks down what’s happening on Capitol Hill and what it means for healthcare leaders, innovators, and decision makers. Each episode features sharp insights, real-world perspectives, and practical context around legislation, regulation, and the forces influencing public policy. Powered by Healthsperien, Policy Prescriptions connects policy to impact, so you stay informed, ahead, and prepared for what’s coming next.

Information

  • Creator
    Gary Jacobs
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Forbes Books
  • Show Website
    Policy Prescriptions