logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2024
34m 37s

MTT #88: Abortion restrictions, PBMs and...

Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr
About this episode

In the latest episode of Medicine: The Truth, Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr return with timely insights on some of the most pressing issues in healthcare today.

From the chilling implications of abortion restrictions on women’s health to the opaque and controversial role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in driving up drug prices, the episode covers a lot of ground.

The conversation kicks off with an update on COVID-19 and the flu season, emphasizing that while hospitalizations remain stable, low vaccination rates may raise concerns in the months ahead. Dr. Pearl also delves into the new abortion laws sweeping the nation, shedding light on tragic cases where legal fears prevent doctors from acting swiftly, endangering women’s lives.

The hosts then dive into the murky world of PBMs, where just three companies control nearly 80% of drug sales in the United States. Pearl explains how PBMs manipulate prices to favor expensive drugs while profiting off hidden rebates, all at the expense of patients and insurers. As legal battles between PBMs and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) unfold, the episode highlights the growing outrage over pharmaceutical price gouging.

Here’s a snapshot of just some topics covered in this episode of Medicine: The Truth:

  • COVID-19 and flu season updates
  • The dangers posed to women’s health by restrictive abortion laws
  • A deep dive into the role of PBMs in the U.S. healthcare system
  • Why healthcare costs are projected to rise by 8% next year
  • The troubling future of drug pricing in America
  • Why more parents aren’t vaccinating their kids
  • A surge in at-home diagnostic testing
  • The Nobel Prize in chemistry goes to …
  • Why 98.6 isn’t the average body temperature
  • Superbugs are coming

Join Dr. Pearl and Jeremy Corr as they unravel these complex healthcare challenges and offer insight into the future of medical care in America.

* * *

Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of the new book “ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine“  about the impact of AI on the future of medicine. All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.

Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post MTT #88: Abortion restrictions, PBMs and the rising cost of care appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

Up next
Yesterday
FHC #186: Optum CEO on AI, big data & preventing disease
FHC #186: From rare diseases to rural America, Optum’s CEO talks healthcare’s future In this special return to Season 10, which focused on transformative technologies in medicine, Fixing Healthcare hosts ... The post FHC #186: Optum CEO on AI, big data & preventing disease appear ... Show More
49m 1s
Aug 20
FHC #185: A System in crisis, a technology in waiting
In this Diving Deep episode of Fixing Healthcare, cohosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr tackle two timely topics shaping the future of American medicine. First, the pair explore a ... The post FHC #185: A System in crisis, a technology in waiting appeared first on Fixing Healt ... Show More
43m 6s
Aug 13
MTT #97: Drug prices, Big Tech EHR promises & the 7,000-step surprise
In this episode of Medicine: The Truth, Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr cover a whirlwind of headlines, from a White House push to tie U.S. drug prices to wealthy-nation ... The post MTT #97: Drug prices, Big Tech EHR promises & the 7,000-step surprise appeared first on Fixing H ... Show More
42m 36s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2023
Designing Healthcare for Humans: Insights from Nordic Consulting
Discover how to revolutionize the U.S. healthcare system in this episode of the Becker's Healthcare Podcast. Join host Jakob Emerson as he delves into the world of human-centered design with Nordic Consulting Chief Medical Officer Craig Joseph, MD, and Head of Thought Leadership ... Show More
21m 16s
Mar 2024
AI & Healthcare: The Landscape In 5 Years
The next 5 years are going to be incredible. Still, it’s important to stay grounded and not feed into the hype.Chances are good that you’ve heard people question whether or not ChatGPT will replace doctors. The easy answer here is — no.But other models from Google can and will.In ... Show More
46m 16s
May 2024
Tom Mueller, "How to Make a Killing: Blood, Death and Dollars in American Medicine" (Norton, 2023)
Dialysis is a medical miracle, a treatment that allows people with kidney failure to live when otherwise they would die. It also provides a captive customer for the dialysis industry, which values the steady revenues that come from critically required long-term care that is guara ... Show More
1h 9m
Sep 2023
Who wins the Doctor burnout Olympics? #379
SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!In this episode, Drs. Nii & Renee discuss:Is there a Deion Sanders-like person in medicine?Coco Gauff wins the US Open vs the long journey of becoming a doctorDr. Qaali Hussein’s video on fitting in ... Show More
53m 26s
Apr 2025
Why Australians Live 7 Years Longer Than Americans with Dr. Adrian Cois
On this month's installment of our Longevity Series, WHOOP Global Head of Human Performance, Principal Scientist, Dr. Kristen Holmes, sits down with Dr. Adrian Cois. Dr. Cois is an Australian-born Emergency Physician and Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, currently practi ... Show More
47m 15s
Dec 2022
Ep. 277 Private Equity and the Radiology Job Environment with Dr. Ben White
In this episode, co-hosts Drs. Ally Baheti and Mike Barraza interview diagnostic radiologist and blogger Dr. Ben White, who speaks about private equity (PE) ownership of radiology practices, the nationwide radiologist shortage, and advice for navigating job offers. The CE experie ... Show More
54m 54s
Jun 2024
The Future of Healthcare: The Role of AI and Technology | Dr. Vijay Pande and Daisy Wolf
View Show Notes From This Episode Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hyman Sign Up for Dr. Hyman’s Weekly Longevity Journal AI is set to revolutionize healthcare as we know it - improving diagnostics, treatment personalization, patient care, while simultaneously reducing costs ... Show More
59m 53s
Jun 12
174. Dr. Mehmet Oz: The BIG Problem with America's Healthcare System Nobody Talks About
What if I told you that America spends twice as much on healthcare as any other developed country, yet our life expectancy keeps declining? In this conversation with Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of CMS, I explore why we're getting sicker despite spending more. Dr. Oz reveals alar ... Show More
15m 5s
Sep 2020
"This is how you keep doctors from going bankrupt." Surgeons use 'Lenox Hill' Netflix spotlight to speak out against proposed Medicare changes
Healthcare is a constant concern in America and even more so during the coronavirus pandemic. There's a lot of uncertainty around healthcare right now -- it's a pivotal election year, the fate of the Affordable Care Act is not clear, and now, doctors are speaking out against some ... Show More
11m 35s
Oct 2024
Student Spotlight: Dr. Vincent Bubolo
Today my guest is Dr. Vincent Bubolo, a business owner, consultant, and entrepreneur who has owned, operated, and created several successful multimillion dollar businesses. He’s partnered and consulted with numerous business owners in industries such as medical, e-commerce, litig ... Show More
38m 33s