Tuning In to The C-Suite Tuning Into The C-Suite

In this episode, MHE's Peter Wehrwein spoke with Patrick Cooney, president of The Federal Group, discussing Washington's focus on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). Cooney highlighted increased federal attention on PBMs, with legislative activity indicating bipartisan interest in reform. Despite recent setbacks in negotiations over PBM-related provisions, both Democrats and Republicans aim for transparency and change. Cooney also predicts eventual PBM legislation in 2024, emphasizing the bipartisan recognition of reform necessity.

As we bring back our "Meet the Board" Series podcast series, Managed Healthcare Executive welcomes our newest Editorial Advisory Board member Greg Baker, CEO of AffirmedRx. In this conversation, Baker and Peter Wehrwein, MHE managing editor, discussed insights from Baker's career journey. Drawing from his experiences at Walgreens and Premise Health, Baker highlighted the importance of patient-centered care and process orientation. He discussed AffirmedRx's mission to bring transparency to the PBM industry through innovative approaches such as a cloud-based system and clinically-driven formulary. Expressing concerns about opaque pricing practices, he shared the need for industry reform and cautioned against the proliferation of corporate entities within PBMs.

In this second part of a two-part podcast episode, Managed Healthcare Executive's Managing Editor Peter Wehrwein spoke with Ceci Connolly and Margaret "Meg" Murray about Medicare Advantage utilization and challenges, highlighting proposed CMS payment cuts and prior authorization issues. Murray emphasized MA's growth and benefits, while Connolly introduced MA for Tomorrow proposals. They also tackled drug pricing transparency concerns, Medicaid coverage challenges, and predicted affordability as a key issue in the 2024 elections.

In this first part of a two-part podcast episode, Managed Healthcare Executive's Managing Editor Peter Wehrwein kicks off our new podcast series "DC Roundtable," with guests Margaret "Meg" Murray, CEO of the Association of Community Affiliated Plans, and member of MHE's Editorial Advisory Board, and CeCi Connolly, president and CEO of the Alliance of Community Health Plans, for a discussion on healthcare policy issues. The trio addressed the impact of Medicaid redetermination, emphasizing ongoing challenges and the need for policy flexibility. While recognizing the ACA's success in expanding access, they highlighted affordability concerns and partisan divides. The conversation also highlighted efforts to advocate for solutions prioritizing access, affordability and quality care.

In this month’s episode of Tuning In to the C-Suite, Briana Contreras, an editor of Managed Healthcare Executive, got to chatting with Sanjula Jain, Ph.D., chief research officer at Trilliant Health. 

In the conversation, Sanjula shared the concerning rise in cancer cases among those in their 30s and 40s, despite declining mortality rates. In this age range, neoplasm-related deaths are notably increasing, which could possibly be linked to pandemic-induced declines in primary care and screenings. 

Sanjula added that rising cancer care costs and increased pharmaceutical investments highlight the need for a comprehensive approach in this space.

In this month’s episode, Briana Contreras, an editor of MHE, chatted with Lynn Carroll, executive of HSBlox, about the difference between predictive and generative AI, yet how each works together in preventive healthcare. In the discussion, Carroll expressed the challenges and opportunities with generative AI in clinical documentation, pharmaceutical research, and medical device manufacturing. Also shared were strategies for aligning primary and specialty care in value-based initiatives, along with emerging use cases, best practices for Generative AI and much more.