Shows
SoundPracticePhysician Contract Negotiations: The Landscape and Predictions with Ron HowrigonIn this episode of SoundPractice, Ron Howrigon, president and CEO of Fulcrum Strategies, brings his extensive experience in the healthcare industry to the forefront. Having worked as a senior executive with major managed care companies like Cigna, Kaiser Permanente, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, Howrigon shares his journey. From negotiating contracts to founding Fulcrum Strategies, his consulting firm helps doctors and hospitals navigate the complex world of managed care agreements so they can focus more on patient care.
With a keen eye on the flaws of a profit-driven healthcare system, join us as we delve into the complexities of the...
2025-07-2327 min
The Pursuit of Health PodcastEp66: In the Aftermath of the UHC Murder - Not the What & How, but WhyA panel with Dr. Don Berwick, Tanya Sanderson and Ron HowrigonToday, Dr. Fethke calls on three previous guests to share their thoughts, insights, and solutions in the light of the UHC incident, a tragic murder that highlighted the scale of public anger at the state of our healthcare system.With our panel drawing from their vast collective experience at clinical, administrative and federal level, this episode serves as a vital resource for understanding how we got here, why the situation is so dire, and what we need to do to fix it.
2025-02-2556 min
43cc"It's All About the Money"It's all about the money... until it isn't. Ron Howrigon, a former health insurance executive with some of the largest insurance companies in the U.S., takes us behind the scenes to look at how these companies put profit over patients, why he left the business, and what he's doing now to help doctors fight the very industry he started in.
2025-01-1645 min
The Health AdvocatesS7, Ep 30- Advocating for Fair Health Care: Health Insurance Battles and Burnout with Ron HowrigonIn this episode, we’re joined by Ron Howrigon, President of Fulcrum Strategies, who specializes in guiding doctors through the complexities of insurance policies. Ron shares his unique journey from working on the insurance side to advocating for physicians and patients against unfair industry practices. We dive into the challenges of prior authorization, insurance denials, and their impact on physician burnout. Ron sheds light on the incentives driving insurance companies and the reasons behind coverage battles, while offering thoughtful solutions to improve the system for patients and health care providers alike. Among the highlights in this episode:...
2024-11-1320 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp54: How To Make Healthcare Affordable-Ron HowrigonThe only barrier to success in the Pursuit of Health is ourselves.Joining to contribute to our ongoing healthcare conversation, is self-described “recovering managed care executive” Ron Howrigon.As President and CEO of Fulcrum Industries, Ron is in the business of helping physicians and hospitals with negotiations for managed care contracts - having chosen to leave a lucrative career in favor of seeking systemic improvement.——We spoke about his experience on “the other side of the fence”, the key factors contributing to the cost of healthcare, how to make a system that is cost...
2024-09-2647 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 96 - SPECIAL EDITION: Remembering Dr. Dan HurleyThis week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Matthew Handley and Ron Howrigon discuss the life of the late Dr. Dan Hurley with his wife Dr. Traci Hurley, his sister Christine, and his brother Tom. They shared memories of his life and why he fought so hard for transparency in our healthcare system.Matthew and Ron spoke to Dr. Hurley last year on the FLATLINING Podcast after he was diagnosed with dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma and his insurance company had denied payment for radiology scans that would have aided his treatment.--Listen to the FLATLINING...
2024-08-071h 04
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 95 - Is the mainstream media finally seeing the physician shortage?On the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies this week, Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley a recent PBS News report on the shortage of pediatric physicians. Is the mainstream media finally seeing what patients have been experiencing for years? How do we ensure that we will have enough doctors to take care of us in the future?---Articles mentioned in this program:The causes and consequences of a decline in doctors going into pediatric care - PBS News---Subscribe to the FLATLINING Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the iHeartRadio app, Amazon Music, Goo...
2024-07-3115 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 94 - What do Kamala Harris' healthcare policies look like?On the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies this week, Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley discuss what sort of healthcare platforms Vice President Kamala Harris could advocate as the new Democratic nominee. They also discuss a recent interview Ron gave with New York Magazine on automatic insurance denials. --Further reading:Where Kamala Harris Stands on Key Healthcare Issues - Medpage TodayIn Denial - New York Magazine--Listen to the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies wherever you listen to podcasts and have every episode delivered to your emai...
2024-07-2428 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 93 - What the Chevron ruling means for healthcareThis week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Matthew Handley and CEO Ron Howrigon discuss how the Supreme Court overturning Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. could affect healthcare down the road. There is a possiblity that it could dictate how the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services detirmine Medicare reimbursement, whether or not the Food and Drug Administration can approve over the counter medications, and more. Matthew and Ron also discuss how this ruling could affect the No Surprises Act.--Further reading:What Does the Overturning of Chevron Me...
2024-07-1025 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 92 - Let's think for a minute about Medicare for All (with Wendell Potter)This week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Matthew Handley and CEO Ron Howrigon have a conversation with universal healthcare advocate Wendell Potter. They discuss Wendell's decision to get out of the insurance business and become an advocate for affordable healthcare for all Americans.Wendell Potter was a VP level executive at Cigna before he left in 2008. He now advocates for universal healthcare and is the leader of two reform advocacy nonprofits: the Center for Health and Democracy and Business Leaders for Health Care Transformation. He is also a New York Times best-selling author and his most rec...
2024-07-0351 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesNEXT WEEK: Wendell Potter makes his case for Medicare for AllNext week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Matthew Handley and Ron Howrigon talk to former Cigna executive Wendell Potter about the feasibility of universal healthcare in the United States.---Listen to the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies wherever you listen to podcasts and have every episode delivered to your email by subscribing at www.FLATLINING.net.Follow Matthew on X and LinkedIn.Follow Ron on LinkedIn.Fulcrum Strategies is a healthcare consulting firm specializing in payer contract negotiation and strategic planning for physician practices. Our firm has helped over 5,000 p...
2024-06-2601 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 91 - What it takes to make healthcare reforms (with Gus Geraci, MD)This week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Matthew Handley and CEO Ron Howrigon have a conversation with Gus Geraci, MD about the challenges of reforming healthcare.Dr. Gaspere Geraci has more than thirty-five years of clinical, process, and quality improvement experience. He has worked as a physician, recruiting physicians and working with insurance companies. You can find more about him on his website, drgeraci.com, Rate Your Healthcare Employer, and and follow him on X and LinkedIn.--Listen to the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies wherever you listen to...
2024-06-191h 00
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 90 - PUSLECHECK: Insurance coverage of GLP-1s, Cyberstalking, and UnitedHealthcare's use of AIThis week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Matthew Handley and CEO Ron Howrigon discuss several healthcare-related news items and how they affect patients and providers. They discuss for-profit HMO’s being banned from participating in Minnesota Medicaid products. They also discuss the economic impact and future of insurance coverage for GLP-1 weight loss drugs such as Wegovy and Zepbound. Also on the program: UnitedHealthcare has announced they will increase their usage of artificial intelligence. Plus: a former AstraZeneca executive is charged with cyber stalking after he sent threatening messages to leadership at CVS Health and Aetna.
2024-06-0532 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 89 - Putting patients back at the center (with Lou Tharp)This week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley sit down with Lou Tharp to discuss patient-centered healthcare and patient advocacy. Lou Tharp is the co-founder and executive director of the Global Healthy Living Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on improving the quality of life for those living with chronic diseases such as arthritis, psoriasis, IBS, cardiovascular disease, and more. Lou is also the co-founder of Creaky Joints®, an international, digital community of arthritis patients and caregivers. You learn more about the Global Healthy Living Foundation at GHLF.org and Creaky Joints® at Cr...
2024-05-2959 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 88 - 20 years of Fulcrum StrategiesThis week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley take a look back at the last 20 years of Fulcrum Strategies. They discuss why Ron left his employment with the payers and began working with physicians and what has changed in the last twenty years. They also take a look at what might change in the future.Listen to the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies wherever you listen to podcasts and have every episode delivered to your email by subscribing at www.FLATLINING.net.Subscribe to the FLATLINING Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify...
2024-05-2222 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 87 - Mr. Witty goes to Washington: Analysis on the Change Healthcare cyber attack hearingsThis week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley break down testimony from the Congressional hearings about the Change Healthcare cyber attack. On May 1, UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty was in the hot seat as senators and representatives grilled him on the impact to patients and providers. Ron and Matthew break it down in a way that is easy to understand and help you know how it impacts you.Listen to the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies wherever you listen to podcasts and have every episode delivered to your email by subscribing at ww...
2024-05-1530 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 86 - The next big thing in multiple sclerosis treatment (with John Scagnelli, MD)On today’s episode of the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, President and CEO Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley talk to John Scagnelli, MD, about multiple sclerosis. This disease has no known cause and no known cure, but there have been some incredible advancements in treatment over the past few decades.Dr. Scagnelli specializes in Multiple Sclerosis and Adult Neurology at Raleigh Neurology’s Durham and Raleigh offices. Dr. Scagnelli received his BS in Human Development from Cornell University in 2002. He earned his MD from the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine in 2006. He then completed his Neuro...
2024-05-0133 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesNEXT WEEK: John Scagnelli, MD discusses treatment advances for multiple sclerosisNext week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, President and CEO Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley are joined by John Scagnelli, MD of Raleigh Neurology. They will be discussing multiple sclerosis, a devastating disease with no known cause and no known cure. But there is hope. Recent research has created new advancements in treatment. You won’t want to miss this episode of the FLATLINING Podcast. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts.----Follow Ron Howrigon on LinkedIn. Follow Matthew Handley on X and LinkedIn.----Fulcrum Strategies is a healthcare consult...
2024-04-2400 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 85 - ER docs go on strike in DetroitOn today’s episode of the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, President and CEO Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley discuss some of the most pressing topics affecting physicians and their patients. In this episode, they discuss:• UnitedHealth Group admits they paid the ransom for the Change Healthcare cyber attack• The Justice Department sets up an online portal for people to report anti-competitive healthcare practices• Emergency Medicine physicians in Detroit strike against their private equity backed employerTune in to hear more about how these topics affect patients and physicians alike.Articles mentioned in th...
2024-04-2428 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 83 - PULSECHECK: Medicare Changes, Supreme Court Appeals, and Kentucky Prior AuthorizationsToday on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley take a look at some of the latest healthcare news. First, they discuss changes to the Medicare Advantage rates published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; they explain why insurers are saying out of pocket expenses will go up for seniors. Ron and Matthew also discuss Home Depot’s decision to appeal a settlement with BlueCross BlueShield to the Supreme Court; why wasn’t $2.67 billion enough for Home Depot? Finally, they talk about why a bill to reduce prior authorizations in Kentucky falls flat.Lis...
2024-04-0330 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 82 - Artificial Intelligence in Radiology (with Matthew Stephens, MD)Today on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Matthew Handley and Ron Howrigon have a conversation with Matthew Stephens, MD, a board certified radiologists at Radiology of Indiana. Dr. Stevens, Matthew, and Ron discuss the exciting topic of artificial intelligence in healthcare, particularly AI's influence in radiology. They discuss what some of the pitfalls are of using the new technology and what might be coming next. -- Dr. Matthew Stephens is a board-certified Body Imager with a cardiothoracic radiology specialty who joined Radiology of Indiana in 2023. He received his B.S. in Chemistry from Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. He also r...
2024-03-2733 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 81 - Congress acts on Medicare cuts & Aledade allegedly commits Medicare fraudIn this episode of the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley discuss Congress’ late fix to eliminate part of the cut to Medicare physician fee schedule. They also discuss a recent report about a whistleblower case that alleges major accountable care organization Aledade engaged in serious Medicare fraud. -- Follow Matthew on X and LinkedIn. Follow Ron on LinkedIn. -- Articles mentioned in this episode: Congress nixes part of the Medicare cut - Matthew Handley at FLATLINING.netAledade accused of Medicare fraud in whistleblower lawsuit - Modern HealthcareAledade’s statement on whistleblower lawsuit — A previous version of this...
2024-03-2025 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 81 - Congress acts on Medicare cuts & Aledade commits Medicare fraudIn this episode of the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley discuss Congress’ late fix to eliminate part of the cut to Medicare physician fee schedule. They also discuss a recent report about a whistleblower case that alleges major accountable care organization Aledade engaged in serious Medicare fraud.
Follow Matthew on X and LinkedIn.
Follow Ron on LinkedIn.
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Articles mentioned in this episode:
Congress nixes part of the Medicare cut - Matthew Handley at FLATLINING.net
Aledade accused of Medicare fraud in whi...
2024-03-2025 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 80 - Addressing Burnout (with Damian McHugh, MD)Today on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Matthew Handley and Ron Howrigon have a conversation with Damian McHugh, MD, an emergency medicine physician who is now a manager advisor at Curi in Raleigh, North Carolina. Dr. McHugh, Matthew, and Ron discuss the important topic of burnout and the extremely negative effects that it is having on physicians and patients alike. Dr. McHugh shares some of his own experience and shares why he became a physician. And they discuss what are some possible solutions fix this problem. -- Dr. Damian McHugh is a longtime NCMS member who practiced emergency medicine for...
2024-03-0637 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 78 - Lawmakers look to remove site of service differencesThis week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley discuss a proposal in Washington to remove the site of service differential. Removing that change would pay doctors the same regardless if a procedure is performed at a hospital or an office. Ron and Matthew also discuss if the Medicare fee schedule is going to change, a PhRMA's lawsuit against the Biden administration over drug price negotiations, and a Florida health plan that now owes the Federal Trade Commission $195 million. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or subscribe at FLATLINING.net. --- Articles mentioned in this p...
2024-02-1421 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 77 - Will a SCOTUS decision on COVID-19 misinformation affect the ability to practice medcine?On today's episode of the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley discuss a current US Supreme Court case that is looking at COVID-19 misinformation and free speech. Namely, the justices are evaluating if misinformation is protected speech. Matthew and Ron discuss what this could mean for physicians who think they are giving their medical opinion to patients or to the public on social media. Plus, Ron and Matthew discuss a new list from JUST Capital that lists Cigna and Elevance as two of the nation's most "just" companies. What does that even mean? Listen wherever you get...
2024-02-0722 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 72 - Possible Cigna / Humana MergerThis week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, economist and CEO Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley discuss the recent news that health insurance giants Cigna and Humana may merge. They discuss why Cigna's stock price has failed to rebound since the news and why Ron thinks this deal will be approved by the FTC. They also discuss, briefly, former President Donald Trump's statements that he is “seriously looking at alternatives” to the Affordable Care Act. Follow Ron on LinkedIn. Follow Matthew on X and LinkedIn. Articles mentioned in this program: Reports of Cigna and Humana merger - Matthew Handley at FLATLIN...
2023-12-0621 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 71 - AMA debates ban on corporate medicineThis week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley discuss recent reporting that the American Medical Association may lobby to ban corporate medicine. Corporate medicine is the practice of entities owning physicians, such as an insurance company or a large hospital system. They also discuss the potential cuts to the Medicare fee schedule in 2024. Articles mentioned in this episode: The AMA Debates a Federal Ban on Corporate Medicine - The American Prospect --- Follow Matthew on X and LinkedIn. Follow Ron on LinkedIn. Subscribe and find more at FLATLINING.net. This is a pu...
2023-11-1521 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 70 - BREAKING: Cigna may sell its Medicare Advantage businessYesterday, Reuters reported that Cigna is in talks to sell its Medicare Advantage line of business. Upon the release of the news, Cigna's stock price was down nearly 4% at points and ended the day down 3.85%. As other insurers (namely Humana) aim to get out of their commercial business because Medicare Advantage was much more profitable, how is it that Cigna was unable to make their plans as profitable as they would have liked? Matthew Handley and Fulcrum Strategies CEO Ron Howrigon (also a former Cigna executive) discuss. Reuters - Cigna explores shedding Medicare Advantage Follow Matthew on X and LinkedIn. Fol...
2023-11-0822 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 69 - UnitedHealthcare’s new variable co-pay productThis week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley discuss UnitedHealthcare's new variable co-pay product called Surest. They talk about these questions providers and patients may have about the product: What is a variable co-pay plan and how does it work?Why will some doctors cost more than other doctors?Is this a cheaper plan for employers to buy for employees?Why do providers need to be on the lookout for new plans?Follow Matthew Handley on X.Subscribe and have each episode delivered to your email inbox! This is a public episode. If...
2023-11-0117 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 67 - What the new CMS guidance on NSA means for your groupThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued new guidance for the No Surprises Act after the previous guidance was struck down in federal court. In short: the Department of Health and Human Services handed a win to the insurance companies that will surely end up back in court. Fulcrum Strategies president and CEO Ron Howrigon discusses with Matthew Handley what it means for emergency medicine doctors, radiologists, and anesthesiologists. Subscribe to the FLATLINING Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the iHeartRadio app, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pandora, TuneIn, and Audible. Follow Matthew Handley on X: @radioHandleySubscribe to have every episode deliver...
2023-10-1823 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 66 - What you need to know about Medicare AdvantageAs we enter the open enrollment period, there is little doubt that you will be seeing ads for Medicare Advantage ads on TV. Several weeks ago on the Friday Pulse Check Newsletter, Matthew Handley broke down the top plans by tv ads in recent years. Regardless if you are a patient or a provider, there are things you ought to know about Medicare Advantage plans. Can they pay a provider less than Medicare rates? Can a patient use out-of-network benefits? What is the deal with all these promotional ties with grocery stores? Matthew Handley and Ron Howrigon discuss. Follow Matthew Handley...
2023-10-0425 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 65 - Who does medical debt hurt?This week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Matthew Handley and Ron Howrigon discuss recent actions by the Biden Administration to combat medical debt. The White House announced last week that they would be working to bar medical debt from being reported to the major credit bureaus which would then help patient's credit scores. But what happens to physicians and hospitals when consequences are taken away from medical debt? Plus: you'll be suprised to hear that the Biden Administration is taking on action on an issue that most credit agencies have already dealt with. Matthew and Ron look at the...
2023-09-2723 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 64 - NC Medicaid expansion held up by... casinos?This week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, CEO Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley discuss political holdups to Medicaid expansion in North Carolina. The House wants to separate the Medicaid from the state budget and pass it with a casino bill but the state Senate is refusing to agree. So who gets hurt? Is the state ready to handle more patients on Medicaid? Why should you care? Matthew and Ron break it down on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies. Articles mentioned in this program: House to vote on budget and separate casinos-Medicaid bill this week, top appropriator says - The Ne...
2023-09-2024 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 62 - The Battle Over Medicare Coverage: Should all FDA approved drugs be paid for?Matthew and Ron dive into the debate on whether Medicare should cover every FDA-approved drug, focusing on the case of Aduhelm and Leqembi, two Alzheimer's drugs. Aduhelm was is not covered by Medicare due to limited effectiveness and high cost. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Leqemebi would be in certain circumstances. Key highlights FDA approval does not guarantee that a drug should be used by everyone, it only indicates clinical effectiveness and acceptable side effects.Medicare's decision to deny coverage for certain drugs is based on cost-benefit analysis and clinical effectiveness.The case of Aduhelm, an Alzheimer's dr...
2023-09-0618 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 61 - Breaking down the impacts of the TMA 3 rulingMatthew Handley and Fulcrum Strategies president and CEO Ron Howrigon discuss the recent rulings in the third Texas Medical Association case against the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), commonly known as TMA 3. Judge Jeremy Kernodle ruled that CMS violated the No Surprises Act by publishing guidelines on the Qualified Payment Amount that contradicted the law in several ways. However, Judge Kernodle ruled against the plaintiffs by deciding that the QPA does not have to be transparent. Matthew and Ron discuss what this means for physicians, hospitals, and the general public. Follow Matthew and Ron on X. Thi...
2023-08-3022 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 60 - Public opinions on Wegovy and other weight loss drugsMatthew Handley and Ron Howrigon discuss the ongoing relevance of COVID, the cost of weight loss drugs in the US, and public opinion on prescription weight loss drugs. Key highlights COVID still matters, especially for those at riskThe cost of weight loss drugs in the US compared to other countriesThe need for a free market economy in healthcarePublic opinion on prescription weight loss drugsThe potential impact of covering weight loss drugs under insurance Resources mentioned Health System Tracker - How do prices of drugs for weight loss in the U.S. compare to peer nations’ prices?Kaiser Family Foundation - KF...
2023-08-2325 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 59 - Remembering Dr. Dan HurleyWe received the news last week that Dr. Dan Hurley, who Matthew interviewed on the FLATLINING Podcast several months ago, had lost his battle with cancer. This week, Fulcrum Strategies president and CEO Ron Howrigon shares how Dr. Hurley's story affected him and continues to motivate him to fight for physicians. You can listen to our entire interview with Dr. Dan Hurley by clicking here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net
2023-08-1621 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 55 - CLEAR!: Reforming Healthcare to Save the US Economy (Part 2)Matthew Handley and Ron Howrigon continue their discussion about Ron’s new book. In this second part of the episode, they discuss what some possible reforms would be to fix the system and save the economy. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE BOOK. (https://amzn.to/3CgXfmt) From the description: With healthcare spending accounting for nearly 20% of the U.S. economy and growing, Ron lays out a logical approach to healthcare reform that is needed to change this unsustainable trajectory. Subscribe to the FLATLINING Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the iHeartRadio app, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pandora, TuneIn, and Audible. This is a pub...
2023-06-2826 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 54 - CLEAR!: Reforming Healthcare to Save the US Economy (Part 1)This week on the FLATLINING Podcast, Matthew Handley talks to Ron Howrigon about his new book CLEAR!: Reforming Healthcare to Save the US Economy. In the first of this two-part episode, they talk about some of the reasons healthcare is breaking the economy. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE BOOK. (https://amzn.to/3CgXfmt) From the description: With healthcare spending accounting for nearly 20% of the U.S. economy and growing, Ron lays out a logical approach to healthcare reform that is needed to change this unsustainable trajectory. Subscribe to the FLATLINING Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the iHeartRadio app, Amazon Music, Google Po...
2023-06-2121 min
The FLATLINING PodcastBest of 2022 - Part 2As we wrap up our best of 2022 programs, we want to thank you again for listening to the FLATLINING Podcast this year. Please remember to like and share it so that more people can find it and we can grow this podcast into something spectacular! If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts, be sure to give us five stars!Our second most listened to segment of 2022 was our first episode where Ron and I discussed healthcare economics. Economics has an important role to play in how healthcare is done in the United States and ought to...
2022-12-2847 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesBest of 2022 - Part 2As we wrap up our best of 2022 programs, we want to thank you again for listening to the FLATLINING Podcast this year. Please remember to like and share it so that more people can find it and we can grow this podcast into something spectacular! If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts, be sure to give us five stars! Our second most listened to segment of 2022 was our first episode where Ron and I discussed healthcare economics. Economics has an important role to play in how healthcare is done in the United States and ought to play an important role in...
2022-12-2847 min
The FLATLINING PodcastEp. 23 - DrugsThis week, Ron and Matthew discuss new results from the Kaiser Family Foundation’s COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor. This time, some people aren’t sure about booster shots. Then they discuss why the FDA is approving drugs like Aduhelm and Relyvrio. These new drugs are very expensive but not very effective. What is the point of approving drugs that don’t do much?* Where can I find more information on the COVID-19 booster shots?* How many people have been boosted for COVID-19?* Why are drugs so expensive?* Why won’t...
2022-10-0557 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesEp. 23 - DrugsThis week, Ron and Matthew discuss new results from the Kaiser Family Foundation’s COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor. This time, some people aren’t sure about booster shots. Then they discuss why the FDA is approving drugs like Aduhelm and Relyvrio. These new drugs are very expensive but not very effective. What is the point of approving drugs that don’t do much? * Where can I find more information on the COVID-19 booster shots? * How many people have been boosted for COVID-19? * Why are drugs so expensive? * Why won’t Medicare cover Aduhelm? * Should the definition of “medicine” and “healthcare” be expanded? * Shou...
2022-10-0557 min
Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum StrategiesHere’s what you’re missing on the FLATLINING PodcastOn the FLATLINING Podcast, Fulcrum Strategies President and CEO Ron Howrigon and writer Matthew Handley discuss the most pressing issues facing doctors and healthcare providers across the United States. Their in-depth knowledge aids their analysis on: * The No Surprises Act * Medicare for All * Political healthcare rhetoric * American attitudes towards healthcare Subscribe to the FLATLINING Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the iHeartRadio app, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pandora, TuneIn, and Audible. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net This is a public ep...
2022-01-0101 min
The FLATLINING PodcastHere's what you're missing on the FLATLINING PodcastOn the FLATLINING Podcast, Fulcrum Strategies President and CEO Ron Howrigon and writer Matthew Handley discuss the most pressing issues facing doctors and healthcare providers across the United States. Their in-depth knowledge aids their analysis on:* The No Surprises Act* Medicare for All* Political healthcare rhetoric* American attitudes towards healthcareSubscribe to the FLATLINING Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the iHeartRadio app, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pandora, TuneIn, and Audible. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subsc...
2022-01-0101 min
Fulcrum Strategies, analyzing changes in health care and how they affect youIt's The Economy StupidWhile the COVID crisis' impact on health and health care is unprecedented in many ways, its impact on the economy may be even more severe. The US GPD dropped 40% in one quarter, we've had the highest first-time unemployment claims ever in our history. We're spending money as fast as we can to try and climb out, more money than almost the rest of the world combined, but that's left us with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 136%. What will this mean for health care in the future? Medicine is the single largest industry in our economy, when the time comes to start...
2020-09-0107 minFulcrum Strategies, analyzing changes in health care and how they affect youTransparency in Health CareEveryone thinks they're they best, that they're doing a great job, that they have their ducks in a row - right up until someone starts publishing "report cards". As the payers publish their ratings of your performance, are you prepared to respond? How will you stack up? Can you combat mistakes, can you answer to shortfalls? Today's patients are connected, they read reviews, they research ratings, they'll compare medical practices just like anything else before they commit. If you're not keeping tabs on your own performance, rest assured someone else is. Listen as Ron Howrigon discusses transparency and ratings and...
2020-08-2507 minFulcrum Strategies, analyzing changes in health care and how they affect youCOVID-19 and the Economy - March 24Ron Howrigon weighs in on recent statements, the advance of the virus, and the stimulus bill that remains "in the works".
2020-03-2507 minFulcrum Strategies, analyzing changes in health care and how they affect youMedicare for All - what would it mean to the economy?What would it actually cost to implement Medicare for All? Several candidates are championing the idea, but is it feasible? What would it do to the economy if we attempted it? What would happen to the demand for care and how would physicians and hospitals respond to such a program? Ron Howrigon of Fulcrum Strategies discusses his take on these questions in this episode.
2020-03-1706 min
Fulcrum Strategies, analyzing changes in health care and how they affect youFlatlining Series - IntroThis is the first installment in a series of podcasts from Fulcrum Strategies president Ron Howrigon devoted to his book, Flatlining: How Health Care Could Kill the US Economy.
2017-09-1110 min