Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

In this episode, Jakob Emerson, Associate News Director at Becker's Healthcare, breaks down the latest Medicare Advantage enrollment trends, including slowing overall growth, major gains for regional and system owned plans, and mounting federal scrutiny of large insurers. He explores what CMS actions, risk adjustment settlements, and market exits mean for payers, providers, and the future of the program.

In this episode, Dr. Amy Compton-Phillips, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at CVS Health, discusses how her experience at Kaiser Permanente and Providence shaped her mission to simplify care delivery. She shares how CVS is leveraging its national footprint to improve access, navigation, and cost transparency while reducing payer provider friction and rebuilding trust across the healthcare ecosystem.

In this episode, Dutch Rojas, Founder of Bliksem Health, shares his candid perspective on structural misalignment in healthcare, arguing that payment reform and site neutral policies are key to lasting change.

In this episode, Tesa Anewishki, CEO and President of Loretto Hospital, shares how her team is preparing for Medicaid cuts and rising uncompensated care while doubling down on access, partnerships, and workforce investment. She discusses launching a hospital based free grocery store, strengthening community collaborations, and advocating for sustainable funding to close health equity gaps on Chicago’s West Side.

In this episode, Dr. Aref Rifai, ophthalmologist and President of the Syrian American Medical Society, shares how the organization has expanded care across all 13 Syrian provinces following liberation. He discusses scaling hospitals and centers of excellence, launching a new radiation oncology center, strengthening medical education, and partnering with U.S. health systems to rebuild infrastructure and elevate quality of care.