Healthcare Nation

The 2026 midterm elections could have major consequences for Medicare, Medicaid, health insurance, prescription drug prices, and the future of American healthcare. But what will actually change after November 3? In this episode of Healthcare Nation, Dr. Rick and Joe break down what’s at stake for patients, hospitals, healthcare providers, and taxpayers as Republicans and Democrats debate the future of healthcare policy. From rising Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums to new Medicaid work requirements, Medicare Advantage, and the growing debate over Medicare for All, this conversation goes beyond political talking points to explore how Washington’s decisions affect everyday Americans. In this episode, we discuss: • Why the 2026 midterms could be a defining healthcare election • Republican vs. Democratic approaches to healthcare policy • How the Affordable Care Act and insurance premiums could change • New Medicaid work requirements and their impact on coverage • What Medicare beneficiaries should know about Medicare Advantage • Whether Americans actually support Medicare for All • The future of private health insurance and universal healthcare • Prescription drug pricing and pharmaceutical innovation • Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and healthcare regulation • Private equity, hospital consolidation, and healthcare costs • What happens to healthcare policy if Republicans or Democrats control Congress Healthcare policy affects far more than Washington. It influences the cost of your insurance, your access to doctors, the financial stability of hospitals, and the quality of care available to your family. Dr. Rick explains the potential benefits, risks, and trade-offs behind competing policy proposals, helping viewers understand the issues without partisan rhetoric. CHAPTERS 00:00 Why the 2026 Midterms Matter for Healthcare 02:35 Republicans vs. Democrats on Healthcare Policy 04:45 What Can Actually Change After the Midterms? 06:01 The Affordable Care Act and Rising Insurance Premiums 08:24 How Insurance Changes Impact Hospitals 09:57 Medicaid Work Requirements Explained 11:42 Will Medicaid Changes Cause People to Lose Coverage? 15:05 Why Hospital Executives Are Watching the Election 16:45 Is Medicaid Really a Partisan Program? 17:38 Medicare and Medicare Advantage in 2027 19:28 Is Medicare Advantage Working? 21:23 Medicare for All: What Americans Really Think 23:35 Does America Actually Want Medicare for All? 25:25 The Future of Private Health Insurance 27:24 Can States Create Universal Healthcare? 28:36 Prescription Drug Prices: Where Both Parties Agree 30:07 Could Lower Drug Prices Hurt Innovation? 31:27 AI, Cybersecurity, and Healthcare Regulation 33:51 Private Equity and Hospital Consolidation 36:52 What Happens After the November 3 Election? 38:28 What If Democrats Control Congress? 39:24 The Biggest Healthcare Issues Beyond Election Day JOIN THE CONVERSATION Which healthcare issue matters most to you heading into the 2026 midterms: affordability, Medicare, Medicaid, prescription drug prices, or access to care? Share your thoughts in the comments. Subscribe to Healthcare Nation for thoughtful conversations about healthcare policy, innovation, leadership, and the future of American healthcare. ABOUT HEALTHCARE NATION Healthcare Nation explores the policies, technologies, economic forces, and leadership decisions shaping healthcare in America. Through informed discussions and expert perspectives, we examine the challenges facing patients, providers, hospitals, and the broader healthcare industry. DISCLAIMER: Healthcare Nation is a nonpartisan, educational podcast. The opinions expressed are intended to encourage informed discussion and do not constitute medical, legal, financial, or political advice. #HealthcareNation #MidtermElections2026 #HealthcarePolicy

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