Healthcare Nation

We speak with Hedgeye’s Emily Evans about how healthcare policy is increasingly driving market outcomes, arguing Wall Street is underestimating policy’s impact. They discuss Medicaid work requirements as a renewed eligibility philosophy that may also reduce fraud, waste, and abuse, with managed Medicaid insurers (e.g., Centene, Molina, UnitedHealth, Elevance) most exposed to enrollment declines. Evans explains how the IRA redesign of Medicare Part D shifts risk away from federal reinsurance, likely raising standalone Part D premiums after the 2023 premium subsidy/risk corridor ends, potentially worsening adverse selection and pushing beneficiaries toward Medicare Advantage amid rural provider tensions. They cover AI’s near-term use in administrative battles and productivity within hospitals, skepticism about “AI cures cancer” hype, and a bearish view on hospitals and Medicare Advantage, bullishness on big pharma and GLP-1s (including direct-to-consumer channels), bearishness on biotech, and the market implications of expanding price transparency, including the Patients Deserve Price Tags Act. 00:00 Welcome and Setup 00:14 Policy Drives Markets 01:50 Meet Emily Evans 03:28 What Markets Misprice 06:01 Wall Street Policy Blindspots 10:03 Medicaid Work Requirements 18:20 Who Bears Medicaid Risk 20:13 Part D Risk Shift 23:47 Premiums and Adverse Selection 27:30 AI and EHR Power 29:03 AI Capital Cycle 35:51 Lightning Round Outlook 43:58 Price Transparency Shock 48:58 Wrap Up and Disclaimer

In this thought-provoking episode of Healthcare Nation, host Rick Gannotta sits down with pediatrician Dr. Amna Husain to explore one of healthcare's most important—and often overlooked—topics: the future of children's health. From the rise of anxiety and the impact of social media to vaccine confidence, mental health, pediatric workforce shortages, Medicaid, technology in schools, and the importance of early childhood investment, Dr. Husain shares both optimism and concern about where America is headed. The conversation also examines the growing pressures placed on children, the changing role of parents and pediatricians, and why investing in children's health may deliver the greatest long-term return for our healthcare system. Whether you're a parent, clinician, educator, policymaker, or healthcare executive, this episode offers valuable insights into the challenges—and opportunities—facing the next generation. 00:00 – Introduction 03:15 – Are America's children healthier than they were 15 years ago? 05:15 – Where we've made progress—and where we're still struggling 06:10 – Why careers focused on children are becoming harder to sustain 07:15 – The growing mental health challenges facing children 09:05 – Anxiety, college pressure, and growing up too fast 10:00 – Are we asking too much of our kids? 12:05 – Vaccine confidence, trust, and evidence-based medicine 17:05 – Building trust between physicians and families 18:15 – Has trust in medicine really declined? 20:15 – Medicaid, CHIP, and access to pediatric care 22:10 – The pediatric workforce shortage 25:15 – Investing in children before problems begin 28:10 – School-based healthcare and supporting families 30:10 – Social media, technology, and the developing brain 32:10 – The impact of screens in education 35:00 – Phones, gaming, and social comparison 37:00 – Influencers, privacy, and protecting childhood 40:05 – What today's children tell us about tomorrow's healthcare system 42:15 – Why universal parental leave matters 44:15 – Dr. Husain's message to healthcare leaders

As the Summer Solstice brings the longest day of the year, Rick Gannotta and Joe Woolworth take a step back to examine the forces shaping healthcare at the halfway point of 2026. From healthcare policy and Medicaid reform to the explosive growth of GLP-1 therapies, artificial intelligence, chronic disease management, and the future of patient trust, this special midyear episode explores where healthcare stands today, and where it's headed next.Topics include the growing focus on accountability in Washington, the evolution of Medicare Advantage, the impact of the MAHA movement, emerging evidence around GLP-1 medications and cancer outcomes, AI's role in reducing clinician burnout, healthcare investment trends, public health preparedness, and why trust remains healthcare's most valuable currency. Whether you're a healthcare executive, clinician, policymaker, investor, or simply interested in the future of healthcare, this Summer Solstice Special offers a wide-ranging look at the opportunities and challenges defining the industry in 2026. 00:00 - Summer Solstice reflections and healthcare at midyear 02:40 - Why accountability defines healthcare in 2026 05:00 - Medicaid reforms and new work requirements 09:35 - Medicare Advantage under increased scrutiny 11:45 - Affordability challenges and ACA marketplace premiums 13:20 - What people misunderstand about MAHA 16:20 - Chronic disease as healthcare's defining challenge 17:30 - The GLP-1 revolution begins 18:40 - GLP-1s, cardiovascular health, and lives saved 23:10 - Why oncologists are paying attention to GLP-1s 24:25 - The economics and future access questions surrounding GLP-1s 26:00 - Markets, AI, and the future of healthcare innovation 27:45 - The hidden costs of AI adoption 30:40 - The biggest misconceptions about AI in healthcare 32:15 - How AI can reduce clinician burnout 34:15 - Healthcare investment opportunities beyond AI 36:35 - Why investors remain bullish on pharma 38:20 - The importance of speed and innovation in healthcare 41:00 - Why healthcare leaders should pay attention to Ebola 44:15 - Research funding, science, and political influence 47:00 - Why trust is healthcare's ultimate competitive advantage 49:30 - Healthcare isn't broken—it's transforming 51:00 - Final Summer Solstice reflections on healthcare's future

In this episode of the Healthcare Nation Podcast, the focus is on the major shifts in U.S. healthcare, touching on policy, payers, and the delivery system. Joined by Emily Evans, Managing Director of Healthcare Policy at Hedgeye Risk Management, LLC, the discussion spans a wide array of topics including the pivotal role of direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical channels, structural changes within the healthcare system, and the financial implications for established health systems. Emily offers her insights on the influence of regulatory environments, demographic changes, the rise of digital health, and emerging trends in biotech and medical technology. Tune in to explore how these factors may shape the future of healthcare. 00:00 Introduction to Healthcare Nation Podcast 00:31 Meet Emily Evans: Healthcare Policy Expert 01:57 Macro-Level Shifts in US Healthcare 02:33 Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Trends 06:20 The Wellness Movement and Longevity 11:09 System-Level Effects of GLP-1 Drugs 14:44 Challenges for the Established Healthcare System 17:53 Public Health and Market Dynamics 23:30 The Role of Government in Healthcare Innovation 27:13 Memory Loss and Primary Care Challenges 28:03 Hormone Replacement Therapy Controversy 29:41 Statins and Medicare Quality Measures 31:17 Affordable Care Act Subsidies 34:40 Healthcare Policy and Market Dynamics 37:42 Innovation and Investment in Healthcare 42:16 Hospital Price Transparency 49:15 Looking Ahead to 2026

In this episode of the Healthcare Nation Podcast, host Rick looks at the ongoing healthcare crisis aggravated by the looming expiration of ACA premium tax credits and the unprecedented government shutdown. The discussion, featuring producer Joe Woolworth, covers the significant impact on healthcare coverage, potential premium spikes, and broader economic ramifications. The episode also addresses the roles of both political parties in the current healthcare landscape, the need for innovation, and actionable solutions to build a more resilient system. Tune in for critical insights into how these political dramas affect everyday Americans and the healthcare industry as a whole. Don't miss this essential episode to stay informed about what's at stake and the possible paths forward. 00:00 Introduction to the Healthcare Nation Podcast 00:19 The Affordable Care Act: 15 Years Later 00:59 The Impact of the Government Shutdown on Healthcare 01:35 Casual Friday with Joe Woolworth 02:28 The History and Current State of Healthcare 03:36 Democratic and Republican Perspectives on Healthcare 05:54 The Reality of Healthcare Costs 06:44 Mental Health and Insurance Coverage 08:15 The Government Shutdown's Effect on Healthcare 10:24 Healthcare Secession: A Divided Nation 11:45 Blame Game: Who Failed in Healthcare? 14:20 The Healthcare Problem: A Bipartisan Issue 14:54 Proposed Solutions and Political Moves 15:53 Middle-Class Affordability and Innovation 18:03 Impact on Small Business Owners 18:34 Midterm Elections and Healthcare 24:49 The Need for a Resilient Healthcare System 28:23 Final Thoughts and Conclusion