Healthcare Matters

By: Global Healthy Living Foundation
  • Summary

  • Welcome to Healthcare Matters! In this podcast, we talk about 'matters' in healthcare and why it matters to you!

    Our host Ben Blanc will speak with our talented Chief Science Officer Robert Popovian. And together, we will take on some pretty complex topics and distil them, so everyone can understand what is happening in the world of healthcare.

    The show is brought to you by the Global Healthy Living Foundation.

    www.ghlf.org

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Episodes
  • S5, Ep 9- Policy & Politics: Decoding the Political Landscape of Health Care
    Oct 16 2024

    In this episode of Healthcare Matters, Dr. Robert Popovian and Ben Blanc unpack the often unpredictable nature of political affiliations in relation to support for patient-centric policies, particularly in the realm of drug pricing and the influence of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). They discuss bipartisan efforts to address drug pricing reforms and delve into Governor Newsom's controversial veto of the PBM Reform Bill in California. Additionally, the episode covers the FTC’s lawsuit against PBMs over insulin pricing and assesses its potential implications for patient care. Dr. Popovian also challenges a misleading statement by The Wall Street Journal regarding drug rebates.

    Among the highlights in this episode:

    01:03: Dr. Popovian dives into the critical issues surrounding drug policy, emphasizing how political affiliation sometimes doesn't align with effective health care policy for patients, highlighting the cross-party collaboration and conflict within drug pricing reforms

    02:09: Dr. Popovian elaborates on the complex nature of drug pricing policies, pointing out the unusual alliances formed across political lines. He discusses how both conservative and liberal politicians have joined forces to address issues with Pharmacy Benefit Management companies (PBMs), which he identifies as major contributors to the problems within the drug pricing system

    03:56: Dr. Popovian challenges a statement by The Wall Street Journal concerning rebate contracting in drug pricing, clarifying that while rebates are permitted there is no legislative requirement forcing PBMs to adopt rebate contracting. Dr. Popovian points out that alternative pricing models like net price contracting are viable and used by large insurers like Kaiser in California without relying on rebate contracts

    You can find Dr. Popovian’s LinkedIn posts on this topic below:

    - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7246621458792165376/

    - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7245454053596422144/

    To read the full article from The Wall Street Journal, visit: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/federal-trade-commission-pharmacy-benefit-managers-insulin-43b0a974?mod=opinion_lead_pos1

    05:35: Dr. Popovian discusses a controversial veto of the PBM Reform Bill in California by Governor Newsom, analyzing the negative implications for patient care in California and contrasting this with other states' more patient-friendly policies

    08:15: Our hosts discuss the FTC's lawsuit against major PBMs regarding insulin pricing, exploring how past practices of PBMs have escalated costs and restricted patient access to essential medications

    10:58: Dr. Popovian sheds light on the critical role of patient self-advocacy in navigating a health care system dominated by PBMs and insurers, stressing the importance of patient education and legislative support to safeguard patient rights

    12:08: Ben lists a series of tips on navigating health information on social media, emphasizing critical thinking and the importance of sourcing information from credible and knowledgeable sources

    14:03: Dr. Popovian shares some final thoughts

    Contact Our Hosts

    Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: rpopovian@ghlf.org

    Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF: bblanc@ghlf.org

    A podcast series produced by Ben Blanc.

    We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to podcasts@ghlf.org

    Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    17 mins
  • S5, Ep 8- Choice or Coercion? Unraveling Patient Steering by Pharmacy Benefit Managers
    Sep 6 2024

    In this episode of Healthcare Matters, join Dr. Robert Popovian and Ben Blanc as they delve into the issue of patient steering by Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). With firsthand accounts from guests Lou Tharp, Executive Director and Co-Founder of GHLF, and Dr. Anne Sydor, Director of Research Development at GHLF, the discussion highlights how PBM-owned pharmacies and policies like accumulators and maximizers limit patient choice and inflate out-of-pocket costs.

    Tune in to learn more about the complex dynamics behind these practices, the impact on patient care, and the ongoing legislative efforts to protect patient rights.

    Among the highlights in this episode:

    03:01: Dr. Popovian explains the role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) in patient steering and their financial motivations for directing patients to PBM-owned pharmacies over independent ones

    04:59: Lou shares his personal experiences with patient steering, explaining the challenges he faced with PBMs and his advocacy efforts that led to local policy changes

    09:23: Dr. Sydor recounts the challenges she faced ensuring her son's medication continuity as he transitions to college, highlighting the barriers imposed by insurance companies regarding prescription fills

    13:18: Lou discusses his negative experiences with at-home drug delivery due to PBM’s policies

    15:26: Dr. Sydor criticizes the inefficiencies and customer service issues within PBMs, sharing her frustration with the lack of access to simple, generic medications due to PBM's mail order requirements

    20:20: Dr. Popovian discusses state-level anti-steering legislation and federal initiatives aimed at reforming PBM practices, including a significant bill that proposes prohibiting PBMs from owning pharmacies to reduce conflicts of interest and promote patient care over profits

    23:27: Dr. Popovian shares some final thoughts

    If you want to use GHLF's interactive tool to explore health care premium cost trends state by state and learn more about patient assistance programs, visit: https://ghlf.org/copay-assistance-protection/

    To learn more about House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer’s call on the CEOs of the three major PBMs, go to: https://oversight.house.gov/release/chairman-comer-calls-on-pbm-executives-to-correct-hearing-testimony/

    Contact Our Hosts

    Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: rpopovian@ghlf.org

    Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF: bblanc@ghlf.org

    A podcast series produced by Ben Blanc.

    We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to podcasts@ghlf.org

    Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show more Show less
    28 mins
  • S5, Ep 7- The Big Three: Unraveling the Oligopoly of Pharmacy Benefit Managers
    Aug 2 2024

    In this episode of Healthcare Matters, join Dr. Robert Popovian and Ben Blanc as they dissect the critical role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) in the health care system, guided by recent findings from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The episode delves into how PBMs control a significant portion of the U.S. prescription market, discussing the implications of their dominance on drug prices, and the viability of independent pharmacies. Featuring a thorough examination of the FTC's recent report, Dr. Popovian explores the deep-seated issues of market concentration, anti-competitive practices, and the need for substantial regulatory reform.

    This episode aims to shed the light on the powerful influence PBMs have over drug access and affordability, proposing pathways for more equitable health care practices.

    Among the highlights in this episode:

    01:45: Dr. Popovian delves into the FTC's report, revealing that three major PBMs control 80% of the retail prescription market in the U.S., highlighting issues of market concentration and limited competition

    02:46: The conversation shifts to the impact of PBMs on drug prices and pharmacy operations, focusing on the FTC's concerns over anti-competitive practices

    03:14: Dr. Popovian explains the effects of vertical and horizontal integration among PBMs, affecting drug access and pricing

    06:35: Our hosts discuss the struggles faced by independent pharmacies due to PBM practices, as revealed in the FTC report

    09:59: Dr. Popovian explores how PBMs use formulary design to manipulate which drugs patients can access and at what cost

    11:59: Dr. Popovian criticizes the current rebate practices by PBMs, discussing their detrimental effects on the availability of generic and biosimilar drugs

    14:25: Dr. Popovian calls for greater transparency and potential regulatory reforms to ensure fair drug pricing and maintain pharmacy viability

    16:44: Dr. Popovian shares some final thoughts

    To read the full FTC report “Pharmacy Benefit Managers: The Powerful Middlemen Inflating Drug Costs and Squeezing Main Street Pharmacies,” go to: https://www.ftc.gov/reports/pharmacy-benefit-managers-report

    Contact Our Hosts

    Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: rpopovian@ghlf.org

    Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF: bblanc@ghlf.org

    A podcast series produced by Ben Blanc.

    We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to podcasts@ghlf.org

    Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show more Show less
    19 mins

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