In the Season 2 opener of Right to the Root, we dive headfirst into the complex world of antitrust laws and their surprising impact on dentistry.
Join us as we unravel the intricacies of these laws with our special guest, Jake Szymanski—a unique professional who bridges the gap as both a licensed dentist and a healthcare attorney.
We’re back for Season 2 of wRight To The Root — and we’re kicking things off with a term most of us have heard, but few can actually explain: antitrust laws.
On this episode, host Stephanie Wright sits down with Jake, a licensed dentist turned healthcare attorney, to demystify one of the most misunderstood forces shaping our care: antitrust law. Together, they unpack how rules that are supposed to prevent monopolies and protect fair competition actually play out in healthcare—touching everything from hospital mergers and health systems that own their own insurance plans, to Delta Dental, auto-adjudication, and whether insurers are effectively “practicing medicine” without a license.
Using real-world examples, including the Ticketmaster and Taylor Swift saga as a surprising contrast, Stephanie and Jake explore why healthcare often seems insulated from antitrust enforcement, how consolidation and opaque pricing limit patient choice, and what risks doctors face if they try to push back collectively.
If you’ve ever wondered why your options feel so limited, your bills so confusing, and your insurance so powerful, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the antitrust rules—and loopholes—shaping accessibility, affordability, and the future of care in America.
Have questions, stories, or thoughts on antitrust in healthcare? Drop your comments and questions—we’ll be bringing Jake back for a follow-up episode.
