The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law on July 4, 2025, includes significant changes to Medicaid and the insurance exchange marketplaces that are expected to leave millions of Americans uninsured and significantly reduce resources available to fund care.
In addition to the sweeping changes coming to health care, the enhanced premium changes that help hardworking Americans afford to buy their own health coverage from the exchanges are set to expire at the end of the year, which could leave as many as 5 million more Americans uninsured and lead to premiums skyrocketing for millions more. These impacts add insult to injury on 24/7 hospital care that is already stretched thin.
In this episode, Chip Kahn welcomes Dr. Fred Blavin, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute, to explore Urban’s studies on how the OBBBA and the expiration of the enhanced tax credits could exacerbate challenges facing uninsured Americans and add to the uncompensated care hospitals will have to shoulder in the years ahead.
Key topics include:
Studies relevant to the conversation:
Guest Bio:
Dr. Fred Blavin is a Senior Fellow and leads the Low-Income Coverage, Access, and Affordability Practice Area in the Urban Institute’s Health Policy Division, where he specializes in health economics and policy research. He has extensive experience leading the design and the evaluation of state and federal policies related to medical debt, health care reform, Medicaid, income and benefits, and health information technology. His research incorporates diverse topics including medical debt and affordability, hospital finances, provider consolidation, health care spending and prices, and how public policy choices affect consumers, providers, and health insurance markets. He is an author of over 80 policy reports and 30 peer-reviewed articles in a variety of economic, policy, and medical journals. Dr. Blavin’s research has been featured in numerous local and national media outlets, such as the New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Marketplace, Forbes, CBS News, and Kaiser Health News.
Medicaid provides critical care for over 72 million Americans—from children and pregnant women to individuals with disabilities, and seniors. It’s also a lifeline for the facilities that care for them, including hospitals and long-term care providers.
In this episode, Chip Kahn welcomes Clifton Porter Jr., President and CEO of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), to explore the critical role long-term care providers play in the health care continuum—and how Congress’s Medicaid cuts threaten patients’ access to care in hospitals and in post-acute long term care settings.
Key topics include:
Guest Bio
Clifton (Clif) Porter is the President & CEO at AHCA/NCAL. Porter has been serving the needs of seniors in the long term care field for over 30 years, beginning his career as an administrator in training at a skilled nursing facility in 1989, serving as an administrator of several skilled nursing centers from 1990 through 1998, and capping his operational experience as a regional director of operations for a large-urban market from 1998 through 2004. Porter then accepted the challenge of leading HCR ManorCare’s Government Relations Department from 2004 to 2013 as its Vice President of Government Relations and served on various state healthcare association boards from 2004 to 2013.
Today, Porter leads AHCA/NCAL’s national advocacy efforts, championing policies that protect high-quality care and strengthen the long-term care workforce. With his experience, he understands the devastating impacts that Medicaid cuts would have on residents and providers and is determined to ensure critical funding is preserved.
Porter holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine in Healthcare Management. You can learn more about the devastating impacts Medicaid cuts will have on nursing homes from
our provider survey: www.ahcancal.org/providersurvey
To learn more about AHCA/NCAL’s advocacy efforts visit www.ahcancal.org.
You can also find us at: Facebook, X, LinkedIn and YouTube.
As Congress focuses on budget reconciliation and debates over Medicaid dominate the headlines, another major shift in health coverage continues quietly but powerfully—the explosive growth of Medicare Advantage (MA). Now covering more than half of all Medicare beneficiaries, MA plans are transforming the health care landscape in ways that can no longer be ignored.
In this episode, Chip Kahn sits down with Molly Turco, a former CMS senior policy advisor and health policy expert at her firm MTT Strategies, to dig into the rise of Medicare Advantage, the challenges it presents for hospitals and patients, and what commonsense policy is needed to ensure the program delivers on its promises.
Key topics include:
Guest Bio:
Molly T. Turco is a Medicare policy expert with over 15 years of experience shaping national healthcare strategy. Molly has dedicated her career to helping healthcare work better for people. She recently launched MTT Strategies, where she provides strategic and policy consulting services with a focus on Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D. She previously served as Senior Policy Advisor for Medicare Advantage and Part D at the Center for Medicare at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), where she helped lead major initiatives to improve transparency, payment accuracy, and consumer protections in Medicare Advantage and Part D — including reforms under the Inflation Reduction Act. Prior to her work at CMS, Molly led Medicare policy efforts at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and the Better Medicare Alliance. She also brings experience as an investor consultant and public health researcher. Molly holds a BA from Middlebury College and a Master of Public Health from the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice. She lives in Washington, D.C., with frequent trips to her home state of Vermont.
Medicaid is making headlines on Capitol Hill, and the debate is about more than just crunching numbers—it’s about people. This joint federal-state Medicaid program is a lifeline for millions of Americans, including children, seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and low-income adults. From primary care to nursing home services, Medicaid provides critical coverage and support. But today, policy proposals under consideration in Washington could put that care at risk.
In this episode, host Chip Kahn is joined by Medicaid policy expert Matt Salo, founder and CEO of Salo Health Strategies and former founding executive director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors. Matt brings decades of experience navigating the intersection of Medicaid and the practical implications of policy changes. Together, Matt and Chip dive into the policy cuts on the table and examine what they mean for patients in communities across the country.
Key topics include:
Guest Bio:
Matt Salo is the founder and CEO of Salo Health Strategies, a boutique healthcare consulting firm in the Washington DC area that specializes in strategic advice, health care policy, Medicaid market development and relationship building across 56 states and US territories. The firm capitalizes on decades of experience working with state and federal government officials as well as the full spectrum of Medicaid and broader health care stakeholders ranging from health plans, providers, pharmaceutical companies, foundations, and consumer groups.
Matt is the founding Executive Director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD), having started the association in February 2011, and he worked in that role until he stepped down in August 2022. The organization represents the state government leaders responsible for administering the Medicaid program. NAMD was established as a permanent community for state leaders to share best practices, and worked to develop technical assistance, invest in leadership development, and formulate a strong unified voice in communication with Congress, the Administration, and other key national stakeholders. He built the organization from an initial staff of one to a full-time complement of ten staff and an operating budget of more than $3 million.
Matt formerly spent 12 years at the National Governors Association, where he worked on the Governors’ health care and human services reform agendas. His major accomplishments included getting legislation passed that guaranteed state control of the entire $250 Billion tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, which resulted in Forbes Magazine naming NGA one of the nation’s top ten most influential lobbying organizations. He also worked to get legislative approval of more than $100 billion in state fiscal relief during the Great Recession; and in bringing bipartisan groups of Governors together on multiple occasions to reach agreement on Medicaid reform proposals, ultimately serving as the backbone for the Deficit Reduction Act of 2007.
Matt was a substitute teacher for two years in the Alexandria City public school system before joining the DC health policy world. He holds a BA in Eastern Religious Studies from the University of Virginia, and is still trying to find ways to explain how that got him to where he is today.
Matt is a nationally recognized expert in Medicaid, state government, health care reform, federalism, long term care. He was recently named by Washingtonian Magazine as one of the 500 most influential people in Washington DC. He is a member of the National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI), and was recently recognized by the National Academy of State Health Policy as its 2022 Academy Award Winner for a lifetime of contributions to health policy.
“Hospitals in Focus” takes a high-level look at how Americans really feel about two cornerstones of health coverage in our country: Medicaid and the enhanced premium tax credits available through the individual marketplace.
Joining Chip Kahn on this episode is Bob Ward, a partner at polling firm Fabrizio Ward, whose team recently conducted two national surveys examining public opinion on these programs. The findings might surprise you—voters from across the political spectrum, including MAGA Republicans, swing voters, and Democrats, overwhelmingly support Medicaid and premium tax credits, even as partisan debates on potential cuts and the extension of the enhanced tax credits continue in Washington.
Key topics include:
• Understanding the demographics and makeup of voters;
• How views on Medicaid and the enhanced tax credits break traditional party lines; • What the data reveals about coverage concerns; and,
• How lawmakers can better align with what Americans actually want.
References:
Medicaid Attitudes Poll Memo for Modern Medicaid Alliance
BAF Economy & Tax Poll for Building America’s Future
Guest Bio:
Bob Ward is a partner of Fabrizio Ward, a public affairs polling firm he co-founded with Tony Fabrizio, lead pollster for President Donald Trump. Ward is a veteran political pollster, having worked for Republican candidates at all levels of government. Internationally his political work extends to elections and NGOs in Europe, Asia, and Africa. He provides political polling and election insights for a range of advocacy groups.
Ward has over 30 years of public and stakeholder opinion research experience, specializing in public affairs research, corporate image, reputation, and issues management. His counsel and research have guided a wide range of client engagements including public affairs campaigns designed to influence policy makers, product liability crises, high profile litigation, long-term reputation measurement and management, to message development supporting everything from rebranding universities, launching advocacy groups, and product roll-outs.
Medicaid, together with the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), forms the backbone of pediatric care in the United States — providing nearly 40 million children with access to routine checkups to life-saving hospital services. But that care is at risk. Congress is considering cuts to Medicaid funding, which could have devastating consequences for kids and the specialized hospitals that serve them.
In this episode, Chip Kahn is joined by Matthew Cook, President and CEO of the Children’s Hospital Association. With decades of leadership experience on the floors of children’s hospitals and now serving as a national advocate, Matt offers powerful stories into what’s at stake if Medicaid is scaled back — and why protecting it is critical for the health and future of America’s children.
Key topics include:
Guest Bio:
Matthew Cook is President and CEO of Children’s Hospital Association (CHA), representing over 200 children’s hospitals and health systems as the leading national advocates for children’s health.
Cook is an established health care industry executive with decades of unparalleled leadership which includes leadership roles at children’s hospitals and maternal health programs. Cook also previously served as a member of CHA’s Board of Trustees and Public Policy Committees.
Prior to joining CHA, Cook served as president of UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals and senior vice president of Children’s Services at UCSF Health, where he oversaw strategic direction, operations, and clinical services for all pediatric services in both Oakland and San Francisco, as well as serving on the UCSF Health leadership team.
Cook previously served as president of Riley Children’s Health and chief strategy officer for Indiana University Health and served as executive vice president of strategic planning and business development at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Cook was also a principal at the Chartis Group, a health care consulting firm based in Chicago.
Cook earned a Master of Business Administration from New York University and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Rural America is a vital part of our nation—rich in culture, community, and resilience. But potential Medicaid cuts coupled with the impending expiration of enhanced tax credits further threatens rural communities’ access to health care and puts the strength of rural communities at risk. In this episode, Chip Kahn is joined once again by Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association, to explore the impacts of Medicaid cuts and Americans’ loss of health coverage on rural hospitals and what is at stake for patient care if lawmakers fail to protect these institutions.
Key topics include:
References:
About:
Alan Morgan joined NRHA staff in 2001 and currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the association.
Recognized as among the top 100 most influential people in health care by Modern Healthcare Magazine, Alan Morgan serves as Chief Executive Officer for the National Rural Health Association. He has more than 30 years experience in health policy at the state and federal level, and is one of the nation’s leading experts on rural health policy.
Mr. Morgan served as a contributing author for the publications, “Policy & Politics in Nursing and Health Care,” “The Handbook of Rural Aging” and for the publication, “Rural Populations and Health.” In addition, his health policy articles have been published in: The American Journal of Clinical Medicine, The Journal of Rural Health, The Journal of Cardiovascular Management, The Journal of Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, Cardiac Electrophysiology Review, and in Laboratory Medicine.
Mr. Morgan served as staff for former US Congressman Dick Nichols and former Kansas Governor Mike Hayden. Additionally, his past experience includes tenures as a health care lobbyist for the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, the Heart Rhythm Society, and for VHA Inc.
He holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from University of Kansas, and a master's degree in public administration from George Mason University.
Medicaid provides health coverage for more than 70 million Americans, including children, veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities. But as Congress works toward a reconciliation bill, proposed cuts totaling $880 billion have raised serious concerns about the program’s future and the impacts on patients and providers.
In this episode, Chip Kahn sits down with Dr. Bruce Siegel, President and CEO of America’s Essential Hospitals, as he reflects on his 15 years of leadership, the critical role of serving uninsured and low-income patients, and the high stakes of the Medicaid debate unfolding in Washington.
Key topics include:
Guest Bio:
With an extensive background in health care management, policy, and public health, Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH, has the blend of experience necessary to lead America’s Essential Hospitals and its members through the changing health care landscape and into a sustainable future. With more than 350 members, America’s Essential Hospitals is the only national organization representing hospitals committed to serving those who face financial and social barriers to care.
Since joining America’s Essential Hospitals in 2010, Siegel has dramatically grown the association as it strengthened its advocacy, research, and education efforts. His intimate knowledge of member needs comes in part from his direct experience as president and CEO of two member systems: New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation and Tampa General Healthcare. Just before joining America’s Essential Hospitals, Siegel served as director of the Center for Health Care Quality and professor of health policy at The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services. He also served as New Jersey’s commissioner of health.
Among his many accomplishments, Siegel led groundbreaking work on quality and equity, with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. He is a past chair of the National Quality Forum board and the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality. Modern Healthcare recognized him as one of the “100 Most Influential People in Healthcare” from 2011 to 2019 and 2022 to 2024; among the “50 Most Influential Clinical Executives” in 2022, 2023, and 2024; among the “Top 25 Diversity Leaders in Healthcare” in 2021; one of the “50 Most Influential Physician Executives” from 2012 to 2018; and among the “Top 25 Minority Executives in Healthcare” in 2014 and 2016. He also was named one of the “50 Most Powerful People in Healthcare” by Becker’s Hospital Review in 2013 and 2014.
Siegel earned a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University, a doctor of medicine from Cornell University Medical College, and a master’s degree in public health from The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health.
Medicaid, the largest health insurance program in the country, provides critical coverage for more than 79 million Americans—including children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities. As Congress considers ways to achieve $2.5 trillion in deficit reduction, Medicaid is at risk of significant changes and proposals that could seriously harm patient care.
In this episode, Chip Kahn sits down with Hemi Tewarson, Executive Director of the National Academy for State Health Policy, to discuss the potential impact of Medicaid cuts on patients, hospitals and providers, and state governments.
Key topics include:
Guest Bio:
Hemi Tewarson, JD, MPH is the executive director of the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization committed to improving the health and well-being of all people across every state. At NASHP, Hemi leads an organization that is at the forefront of engaging state leaders and bringing together partners to develop and advance state health policy innovations. Under her direction, NASHP is leading efforts with states in areas including state COVID-19 recovery, health care costs and value, coverage, child and family health, aging, family caregiving, health care workforce, behavioral health, social determinants of health, health equity, and public health modernization. Previously, Hemi worked at the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy as a senior fellow and served as the director of the Health Division at the National Governors Association’s Center for Best Practices. She also served as senior attorney for the Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Government Accountability Office addressing Medicaid and related health care topics for members of Congress. She holds a JD from George Washington University, an MPH from George Washington University, and a BA in Psychology, University of Pennsylvania. She lives in Maryland with her husband and two daughters.
With a new Administration and a Republican-controlled Congress stepping into power, a wave of changes is sweeping across Washington. From immigration and military renewal to energy dominance and tax cuts, the agenda is ambitious. But what does this mean for health care policy, hospitals, and patient care?
In this episode, Joel White, President and CEO of Horizon Government Affairs, unpacks the evolving health policy landscape. Together, Chip and Joel explore how federal priorities, budgetary concerns, and legislative goals are shaping health care’s future under a new administration.
Key Topics Covered:
Guest Bio:
Joel is the Founder and President of Horizon Government Affairs (HGA), a health care consultancy that represents two dozen clients and runs four coalitions comprised of 200 organizations dedicated to reforms that improve our health system.
Since Horizon’s founding in 2007, his team has helped enact more than 50 laws and helped shape countless regulations governing all aspects of the U.S. health care system.
Joel is also the President of the Council for Affordable Health Coverage, an HGA-managed coalition to improve affordability, increase competition in health care, and protect and strengthen employee health coverage. Recent campaigns include reforming the Inflation Reduction Act, promoting outcomes-based arrangements for gene therapies, and expanding small-group coverage.
Previously, Joel spent twelve years on Capitol Hill including as Staff Director of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee. While on the Hill he helped enact nine laws, including the 2002 Trade Act, which created health care tax credits for private coverage, the 2003 law that established the Medicare prescription drug benefit and Health Savings Accounts, the 2005 Deficit Reduction Act, and the 2006 Tax Reform and Health Care Act, which reformed Medicare payment policies.
Joel is on the Boards of Directors of Samaritan Inns, Arlington Bridge Builders, the Schizophrenia and Psychosis Action Alliance, SafeNetRx, and Chaddock Behavioral Health. Joel holds a B.S. in Economics from the American University and is the co-author of the book, Facts and Figures on Government Finance.
In this episode of Hospitals in Focus, we revisit a vital topic—disaster preparedness and response. Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused devastating impacts across the Southeast, including catastrophic flooding in Asheville, North Carolina. FAH-member HCA Healthcare stepped up to the challenge, and their Mission Hospital became a beacon of resilience, treating over 500 emergency patients in the first hours after Hurricane Helene, flying in 400 nurses and 40 physicians from sister facilities, and ensuring the community had access to essential services.
Michael Wargo, HCA Healthcare’s Vice President of Enterprise Preparedness & Emergency Operations, provides listeners with a 360-degree view of emergency preparedness. Mike shares lessons learned, the importance of planning for the “known unknowns,” and how HCA’s leadership prioritizes readiness at all levels. Chip and Mike also explore broader considerations for disaster recovery, from practical on-the-ground strategies to policy changes so hospitals can remain resilient in the face of future disasters.
Key Topics Covered:
Guest Bio:
Mr. Michael Wargo serves as HCA Healthcare’s enterprise Vice President for Preparedness & Emergency Operations based in Nashville, TN. Mike joined HCA Healthcare in 2016 as the Assistant VP of Enterprise Emergency Operations, a role in which he was tasked to redesign and lead the organization’s disaster and emergency operations program in readiness, response, and recovery from adverse natural and man-made incidents across both the U.S. and the metro London area of the UK. Mike brings more than 25 years of clinical experience in high quality, patient centered care and nearly two decades in public safety leadership. Mike is the Executive Officer and immediate past Chair of the U.S. Health and Public Health Sector Coordination Council of the National Critical Infrastructure Protection Program sanctioned by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 21. In this role, he collaborates and serves as a trusted advisor to both federal secretary-level & SES leadership and senior private industry executives on readiness, response, and recovery initiatives impacting the U.S. national health security and critical infrastructure protection. Additionally, he served as the Chair of the Emergency Preparedness Committee for the Federation of American Hospitals.
Mike is a veteran healthcare executive with experience leading the medical operations division of Northeast Regional Counter-Terrorism Task Force based in PA. He is the prior Administrator and Chief of Emergency Operations for Lehigh Valley Health Network, and an experienced flight nurse and Administrator of LVHN-MedEvac. Federally, Mike served in an intermittent position as a Supervisory Nurse Specialist for the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services National Disaster Medical Services. His combined experience includes both domestic and international homeland security and medical response training & operations. Mike holds multiple certifications in homeland security, disaster preparedness and is one of the first Certified Medical Transport Executives worldwide. He is a graduate of the American Military University with a Master of Business Administration degree, Kutztown University of PA with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and is a graduate of St. Luke’s School of Nursing with a Diploma of Nursing. Continuing his post-graduate studies, Mike is near completion of the Doctor of Public Health degree program at Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health.
Mike was recently awarded with the “Director’s Award for Outstanding Service to Mission” by the U.S. Secret Service for his leading the Pandemic Health Security & Medical Operations of the final 2020 U.S. Presidential Debate.
Every year, millions of Americans face the life-changing news of a cancer diagnosis. Beyond the battle for survival and recovery, there is another critical fight—the battle to ensure patients and their families have access to affordable care.
In this episode, we look at the intersection of health care policy and cancer care with Pam Traxel, Senior Vice President of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). ACS CAN champions cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones by advocating for expanded access to health care, funding for cancer research, and policies that make lifesaving treatments more accessible.
The Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (EPTCs) have proven to be critical tools, helping millions of Americans afford health insurance, including those grappling with the high costs of cancer treatment. With the threat of these credits expiring, the stakes for cancer patients and their loved ones couldn’t be higher. Pam breaks down the potential consequences of losing this critical lifeline and shares how ACS CAN is mobilizing to protect access to affordable health care for all.
Key Topics Covered:
Studies mentioned in the episode:
Health insurance status and cancer stage at diagnosis and survival in the United States: https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.3322/caac.21732
How ACA Tax Credits Impact Patients With Chronic Conditions:
https://www.oliverwyman.com/our-expertise/insights/2024/sep/premium-tax-credit-ending-chronic-conditions-at-risk.html
Cancer Patients & Survivors Overwhelmingly Support Extending ACA Enhanced Tax Credits:
https://www.fightcancer.org/policy-resources/cancer-patients-survivors-overwhelmingly-support-extending-aca-enhanced-tax-credits
Guest Bio:
Pam Traxel serves as the Senior Vice President for ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the America Cancer Society. Pam is responsible for helping ACS CAN develop relationships with companies and individuals to help further the fight against cancer through dynamic partnerships, events, and forums. Pam began her career with ACS CAN in 2007. She has been integrally involved in helping to establish ACS CAN as a nationwide advocacy organization that influences and shapes public policy at all levels of government to impact our mission and to represent the voices of all cancer patients and their families.
As the Federation of American Hospitals (FAH) prepares for a pivotal year ahead, this special episode takes a moment to reflect on the progress made in health care policy and the challenges and opportunities on the horizon. Join host Chip Kahn as he sits down with retiring Executive Vice President of Policy, Steve Speil, to discuss his nearly four decades of experience in health care policy and his reflections on his remarkable 27-year tenure at FAH.
Steve’s career has spanned transformative decades in health care, from his early days in Massachusetts state health planning to tackling the evolving complexities of hospital policy in Washington, D.C. His insights in health care policy and the hospital community's resilience shine a light on how far we've come—and the work still ahead to ensure patients have access to 24/7 care.
In this episode, Chip and Steve discuss:
Guest bio:
In his capacity as Executive Vice President of Policy, Steve Speil manages the Federation’s broad portfolio of payment policy issues. He serves as the association’s chief liaison on these issues with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. Working closely with the senior finance and policy executives in the Federation’s member companies, Steve develops and carries out both issue-specific and general strategic plans designed to advance the finance and payment related regulatory and legislative interests of the FAH.
Prior to joining the Federation, Steve served as Associate Vice President, Policy Coordination and Communication for the Health Industry Manufacturers Association (now AdvaMed), the national trade group representing the medical technology industry. Before moving to Washington, Steve held a succession of increasingly senior management and policy positions in Massachusetts. During his time in the Bay State, Steve served as Legal Counsel to the Lieutenant Governor, Legislative Counsel for the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Executive Director of the Disabled Persons Protection Commission, and Legal Counsel and Policy Director in the Office of State Health Planning. Steve also taught health law and policy as an Assistant Professor at Simmons College Graduate Program of Health Administration.
At the federal level, Steve served in the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs. He also worked in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of General Counsel.
Steve earned a J.D. degree from American University’s Washington College of Law; a Master in Public Health degree in Health Administration from the University of North Carolina School of Public Health; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology/Zoology from the University of Michigan.
In this episode of Hospitals in Focus, host Chip Kahn explores the digital renaissance revolutionizing health care—a golden age of pioneering technologies not seen since the 1960s, when computers first standardized medical records and diagnostics. Today, with nearly everything digitized, organizations are actively discussing the regulatory and ethical frameworks necessary to navigate these advancements, while protecting against the increasing prevalence of cyber threats.
The future of health care looks promising thanks to new innovations, but thoughtful implementation is crucial, and Ardent Health is leading the way forward.
Joining Chip on the episode is Anika Gardenhire, Ardent Health’s inaugural Chief Digital and Information Officer, to explore how Ardent is thoughtfully embracing digital innovation with reason and purpose.
In this episode, Chip and Anika discuss:
Guest Bio:
As chief digital information officer, Ms. Gardenhire oversees the development and implementation of Ardent's digital strategy across the organization. She is responsible for ensuring digital initiatives are fully integrated into Ardent's strategic plan with a focus on leveraging data to support digital transformation. Ms. Gardenhire also oversees Ardent’s IT infrastructure and systems, as well as data strategy and governance.
An experienced caregiver and clinical informatics leader, Ms. Gardenhire joined Ardent in September of 2023, and has previously served as chief digital officer and regional vice president of digital and clinical systems at Centene Corporation. She also held various roles at Intermountain Healthcare, including assistant vice president of digital transformation. Ms. Gardenhire holds a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of South Carolina’s Mary Black School of Nursing and master’s degrees in clinical informatics and management from Duke University.
In this episode of Hospitals in Focus, we’re pulling back the curtain on an often-overlooked yet truly “critical” aspect of our health care system—the supply chain. It’s the backbone of our hospitals, ensuring that essential medical supplies reach patients in need. But what happens when that chain breaks?
Host Chip Kahn is joined by Ed Jones, President and CEO of HealthTrust Performance Group, to discuss recent events that exposed vulnerabilities in this intricate network. Following Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic impact on a major manufacturing facility for IV solutions, hospitals nationwide faced a sudden, alarming shortage. This crisis underscores that our health care supply chain is a fragile, interconnected network, frequently dependent on a limited number of suppliers and manufacturers.
In this episode, Chip and Ed discuss:
Guest Bio:
As President and CEO of Healthtrust Performance Group, Ed has overall responsibility for a broad set of capabilities focused on supporting healthcare providers. His primary focus is providing the strategic direction and leadership of a comprehensive spend management and performance improvement business based in Nashville, Tennessee. Jones oversees all dimensions of a $52B portfolio; directs all consulting, managed services and outsourced relationships/alliances, including accountability for HCA Healthcare supply chain, sourcing contingent labor, facility management and clinical education.
Jones’ leadership encompasses several HealthTrust/HCA Healthcare business ventures that strengthen provider performance and competitive advantage, including:
He has 40 years of experience within the Healthcare industry, serving in his current role for the last 11 years and serving previously as the Chief Operating Officer of HealthTrust Performance Group with responsibility for strategic sourcing, clinical operations, custom contracting, supplier diversity, and regional operations. Prior to that, Jones served in several leadership positions within HCA Healthcare for 20 years following front-line roles at a hospital for seven years.
Jones is a founding board member of the Health Sector Supply Chain Research Consortium, and a member and subcommittee leader of the Federation of American Hospitals. He also serves on the board of Galen College of Nursing and is the chairman of the finance committee. Jones also serves on the board of CoreTrust. Previously, he served as board chair on the Healthcare Supply Chain Association (HSCA). He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.
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:
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.
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:
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?
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.
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.
