Hospitals In Focus

Federation of American Hospitals & Voxtopica
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  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY
Hospitals In Focus

A podcast hosted by FAH’s Chip Kahn that shines a light on everything hospitals; from the advancements in patient care to how a hospital benefits its community.

  1. 13 HR. AGO

    Transforming Veteran Care: The VA’s Patient Experience Revolution

    With over nine million veterans enrolled, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is well known for its health care services. However, the VA’s support extends beyond medical care, helping veterans navigate life after military service. The VA has undergone a significant transformation since the establishment of the Veterans Experience Office in 2015, focusing on improving veterans’ experiences through the use of qualitative and quantitative veteran-customer service data. In this episode, Dr. Carolyn Clancy, Assistant Under Secretary for Health at the VA, shares insights on the organization’s evolving approach to health care and the patient experience by discussing: The role of the VA and its evolution in approaches to health care; Transformation through leadership and the creation of the Veterans Experience Office; Holistic attitude to health care through the ‘My life, my story’ project; and, Broader applications of VA initiatives in other health care settings Guest Bio:  Dr. Clancy serves as the Assistant Under Secretary for Health (AUSH) for Discovery, Education & Affiliate Networks (DEAN), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), effective July 22, 2018. The Office of the DEAN fosters collaboration and knowledge transfer with facility-based educators, researchers, and clinicians within VA, and between VA and its affiliates.  Prior to her current position, she served as the Acting Deputy Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the second-largest Cabinet department, with a $246 billion budget and over 424,000 employees serving in VA medical centers, clinics, benefit offices, and national cemeteries, overseeing the development and implementation of enterprise-wide policies, programs, activities and special interests. She also served as the VHA Executive in Charge, with the authority to perform the functions and duties of the Under Secretary of Health, directing a health care system with a $68 billion annual budget, overseeing the delivery of care to more than 9 million enrolled Veterans. Previously, she served as the Interim Under Secretary for Health from 2014-2015. Dr. Clancy also served as the VHA AUSH for Organizational Excellence, overseeing VHA’s performance, quality, safety, risk management, systems engineering, auditing, oversight, ethics and accreditation programs, as well as ten years as the Director, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

    24 min

  2. OCT 9

    The Delay and Deny Cycle: A Closer Look at Recent Trends

    Before the Change Healthcare cyberattack, hospitals were already grappling with insurers' tactics of delaying and denying payments for patient care. The cyberattack only amplified the challenges providers face—not just in delivering care, but also in getting reimbursed for that care. Despite the crisis, insurers continued to use these tactics. Now, six months later, Matt Szaflarski, a director and revenue cycle intelligence leader at Kodiak Solutions, and his team have uncovered something alarming: a surge in insurers’ initial Request for Information (RFI) claim denials. Kodiak’s latest report, “Death By A Thousand Requests,” highlights the growing trend of payors denying initial claims due to RFIs, creating an enormous administrative burden on hospitals and providers. In 2024 alone, these tactics are projected to cost hospitals $4.6 billion. Szaflarski returns to the show to explain the impact of these denials on the hospital revenue cycle, which ultimately impacts the hospital’s ability to provide care. In this episode, Szaflarski discusses: Updates on the Change Healthcare cyberattack;Rising trends in claim delays and denials, particularly RFI denials;Revenue cycle data insights;Medicare Advantage, the two-midnight rule, and observation stay challenges; andRecommendations for improving processes between insurers and providers.

    22 min

  3. SEP 11

    Health Care After Chevron: New Roles for Congress, the Courts, and Agencies

    In June, the Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo,  overturning the 40-year-old legal precedent known as the "Chevron doctrine." This doctrine  had allowed federal agencies to interpret ambiguous statutes within their jurisdiction. The  ruling marks a significant shift in the regulatory landscape, with major implications for how  federal agencies operate and how regulations are enforced—particularly in health care.  The decision presents both challenges and opportunities for the health care industry,  making it crucial for policymakers, health care leaders, and businesses to understand the  evolving regulatory environment.  Joining Hospitals in Focus to unpack the potential effects of this ruling on health care  policy making is Thomas Barker, a partner at Foley Hoag and former General Counsel at  CMS and Acting General Counsel at HHS.   In this episode, we explore:  Impact on Congress: How does the ruling affect Congress’s legislative process and its  relationship with federal agencies? Will the ruling force Congress to write more precise  laws?  Changes for Federal Agencies: What does the ruling mean for federal agencies, like CMS  and HHS, which have relied on Chevron deference to implement and enforce regulations?   Judicial Implications: Will courts, particularly lower courts, take on a larger role in  interpreting statutes? How could this influence future rulings on health and business  regulations?  Business and Regulatory Implications and Challenges: What will be the effect on businesses, especially those operating in highly regulated sectors like health care, and  what are the potential retroactive effects of the Loper Bright decision?

    20 min

  4. AUG 14

    Stories of Care

    The work, dedication, and resilience of hospital providers and staff is centered on providing high-quality care for their patients. In this special episode of Hospitals in Focus, we spotlight two compelling stories of patient care from the frontlines, offering unique perspectives from both a health care provider and patient.  Join us as we hear firsthand from Amy Capella Smith, CEO of Foundations Behavioral Health, a UHS hospital in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, as she navigates the challenges and rewards of providing behavioral health services to children, adolescents, and young adults.   We also share Jenna Tanner’s story, who survived what is often called the “widow maker,” a massive heart attack, while home alone. Jenna was able to call 911 and get the emergency medical help she needed at Hillcrest Hospital, an Ardent Health hospital, where she received lifesaving care. Her experience serves as a universal message about heart health and the importance of recognizing the early signs of a heart attack.

    18 min

  5. JUL 30

    From 1965 to 2025: Medicare, Medicaid, and the Future of ACA Enhanced Subsidies

    Today, we are celebrating the 59th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid being signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson and discussing the profound effect these programs have had in providing health care coverage to the country’s most vulnerable populations. Medicare and Medicaid laid the foundation for public health insurance in the United States, ensuring that the elderly, low-income families, and individuals with disabilities receive essential health care services. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted in 2010, built upon this foundation by expanding Medicaid eligibility, providing subsidies lower-income individuals and families to purchase private insurance on exchanges, and implementing protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA have created a more comprehensive safety net for millions of Americans, significantly reducing the uninsured rate and improving access to care. Our guest, Larry Levitt, oversees policy work on Medicaid, Medicare, the ACA, and the health care marketplace for one of the nation’s leading health policy organizations. Larry’s extensive knowledge will guide us through the following topics: ·         Medicaid Coverage: Expansion and post-pandemic redeterminations in the states; ·         Evolution of the ACA: The development and impact of enhanced subsidies; ·         ACA Challenges: Addressing concerns about bad actors and program issues; and ·         Future of Coverage: Insights on the upcoming election and its implications for health care coverage.  More:  Larry Levitt is the executive vice president for health policy, overseeing KFF’s policy work on Medicare, Medicaid, the health care marketplace, the Affordable Care Act, racial equity, women’s health, and global health. He previously was editor-in-chief of kaisernetwork.org, which was KFF’s online health policy news and information service and directed KFF’s communications.  Prior to joining KFF, Levitt served as a senior health policy adviser to the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services, working on the development of the Clinton Administration’s Health Security Act and other health policy initiatives. Earlier, he was the special assistant for health policy with California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi, a medical economist with Kaiser Permanente, and served in a number of positions in Massachusetts state government.  Levitt holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree in public policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

    20 min

  6. JUL 17

    Weaponizing Information: What Happens When We Lose Trust in Science

    Measles, eradicated in the United States in 2000, is making a comeback. Meanwhile, an  estimated 300,000 people died from COVID-19 in cases that could have been prevented  through vaccination. Why are we seeing an uptick in conspiracy theories, misinformation,  and outright science denial? The consequences of losing trust in science are harmful and  even deadly.  Dr. Reed Tuckson, MD, FACP, has dedicated his career to restoring public confidence in  scientific research and health care. He joins Chip on the latest episode of Hospitals in  Focus to explore the current social climate influencing science denial and how it is  exacerbated by those who seek to sow mischief and discontent.  Topics discussed include:   • Tribalism and the “Us vs. Them” mentality;  • Social media’s role as a dissemination mechanism;  • Patient-level impacts on health, particularly on society’s most vulnerable; • Covid-19 and the mistakes made with the best intentions; and   • Bridging the gap to regain trust and promote science literacy.  More/Dr. Tuckson’s Bio:   Reed V. Tuckson, MD, FACP, is Managing Director of Tuckson Health Connections, LLC, a  vehicle to advance initiatives that support optimal health and wellbeing.  Currently, Dr. Tuckson’s focus is on his role as a Co- Convener of the Coalition For Trust In  Health & Science, which is dedicated to bringing together the entire health related  ecosystem to address mistrust and misinformation. In addition, he continues to advance  his work as a co-founder of the Black Coalition Against COVID, a multi-stakeholder and  interdisciplinary effort working to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic in Washington D.C. and  nationally by coordinating the four historically Black medical schools, the NMA, the  National Black Nurses Association, the National Urban League, and BlackDoctor.org.

    21 min

  7. JUN 27

    The Future of Medicine: AI’s Role in Health Care

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is dominating headlines and conversations, from how it will change our day-to-day routines to the debate on how far regulation of the ever-changing technology should go. AI's impact on health care is profound, promising advancements in diagnostics, treatment plans, and patient care, but also raising questions about privacy, bias, and the role of human oversight. Our guest, Dr. Michael Schlosser, MD, MBA, Senior Vice President, Care Transformation and Innovation at HCA Healthcare, is a leading expert in AI applications within the health sector. In this episode, he and Chip delve into the multifaceted world of AI. Dr. Schlosser's insights will guide us through the complexities of integrating AI into medical practices, highlighting both the transformative benefits and the critical safeguards needed to ensure ethical and effective use. Topics discussed include:  Defining AI – whether we should anticipate a better future or be worried Leveraging AI – use cases in health care A human-centric approach – understanding risks and ways to mitigate harm and biasThe federal government – finding the sweet spot for regulation Future of AI – the benefits of incorporating AI into health care for providers and caregiversMore:  Michael Schlosser, MD, MBA, is Senior Vice President, Care Transformation and Innovation for HCA Healthcare. Reporting directly to the CEO of HCA, he is responsible for leading care delivery innovation and transformation for the enterprise. His department’s vision is to design, develop, integrate, implement, and optimize technology and processes that drive care delivery with the common goal of improving the experience and outcomes for HCA Healthcare's leaders, care teams, and patients. As part of this strategy, he leads the implementation and optimization of HCA Healthcare’s electronic health record systems, the data science and data strategy teams, and the enterprise Responsible AI program. Prior to this role, he served as group Chief Medical Officer, leading the clinical operations for 100 HCA hospitals, overseeing quality, patient outcomes, and clinical strategy. He has also previously served as the chief medical officer for Healthtrust. Dr. Schlosser is a neurosurgeon and completed his residency and fellowship at Johns Hopkins, has served as a medical officer with the FDA, and holds a degree in chemical engineering from MIT and an MBA from Vanderbilt.

    25 min

  8. JUN 12

    Overpromised & Under-Delivered: Is Maryland a Model or a Warning Sign?

    Maryland’s 50-year experiment with the hospital rate-setting system stands out as a unique and long-lasting initiative – but has it accomplished its goal of reducing health care costs? This rate-setting scheme has been sustained due to additional Medicare funds supplementing the model, an additional $20.6 billion through 2017. It’s also inspired CMS’s All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (or AHEAD) pilot program.  The Maryland model has come under scrutiny with a paper published in HFM Magazine entitled “Maryland’s example is no solution to healthcare’s true crises.” It finds that the state’s health costs remain higher than the national average, even though the system was designed to reduce hospital and overall health care costs. Our guest is the author of the paper and president of Health Futures, Inc. - Jeff Goldsmith. In this episode, we'll discuss the history of the Maryland model, the findings of his paper, the impact on hospitals and health care costs, and propose alternative solutions for reducing costs. Topics discussed include: Implications for the state – findings from Goldsmith’s paperEmulating the scheme – feasibility of replicating the Maryland model elsewhere and cautionary notes for policymakersRefocusing health care goals – what solutions to access and cost should CMS be considering instead?What’s next – the future for hospitals More:  Jeff Goldsmith is the President of Health Futures, Inc. He speaks on the future of health care- covering topics like technology, economics, leadership health care trends and policy analysis. Goldsmith is also a strategist and mentor to leaders in the health care industry.  He has also taught at several prestigious universities and worked in the private sector as a consultant.

    20 min
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5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

A podcast hosted by FAH’s Chip Kahn that shines a light on everything hospitals; from the advancements in patient care to how a hospital benefits its community.

Information

  • Creator
    Federation of American Hospitals & Voxtopica
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2024
  • Episodes
    95
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2018-2023 Federation of American Hospitals. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Hospitals In Focus

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