In this episode of DC EKG, host Joe Grogan speaks with Kelly Cleary, a partner at Akin Law, about her career in healthcare regulatory law and her experience at HHS. They discuss the recent repeal of the Richardson waiver, its historical significance, and implications for healthcare policy and regulation. The conversation also touches on the end of Chevron deference and its potential impact on agency regulations, as well as personal reflections on the value of government service in shaping legal ...
Apr 06, 2025•35 min
In this episode of DC EKG , host Joe Grogan sits down with Dr. Brian J. Miller to dissect the critical barriers slowing medical innovation in the United States. Together, they unpack the notorious "Valley of Death"—the daunting gap between FDA approval and Medicare coverage that delays patient access to groundbreaking treatments and technologies, often by an average of 5.7 years. Dr. Miller shares his insights on how outdated regulatory processes at both the FDA and CMS create unnecessary hurdle...
Mar 21, 2025•46 min
In this episode, Joe Grogan and Brian Blase dive into the current state of Medicaid, exploring the urgent need for reforms to tackle inefficiencies, improper payments, and discriminatory reimbursement rates. Blase discusses the challenges stemming from the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and how it has impacted traditional enrollees. The conversation also uncovers the troubling issue of Medicaid money laundering, shedding light on the practice of state-directed payments th...
Mar 04, 2025•27 min
In this episode, Joe Grogan and Sally Pipes dive into the future of U.S. healthcare policy, discussing potential reforms under a second Trump administration. They explore executive orders, Medicaid challenges, and the flaws in Canada’s healthcare system. The conversation also tackles a provocative question: Could Canada ever become the 51st state? Sally breaks down the political, economic, and healthcare implications of such a shift. Plus, they discuss California’s wildfire mismanagement and the...
Feb 13, 2025•41 min
In this episode, Joe Grogan speaks with Professor Josh Rauh about the ongoing pension crisis in the United States, focusing on the inefficiencies of government pension systems and the impact on taxpayers. They explore the history of government pensions, the shift from defined benefit plans to 401(k) plans, and the alarming statistics of underfunded pensions in major cities like Chicago. The conversation also delves into potential budget cuts under the new DOGE initiative and the urgent need for ...
Feb 04, 2025•48 min
In this episode, Joe Grogan sits down with Vance Ginn, an economist and host of the Let People Prosper podcast, to dive into healthcare reform, economic policy, and the power of state-level innovation. Vance shares his inspiring journey from his humble beginnings to his role as Chief Economist at the Office of Management and Budget. He discusses his work with think tanks, the challenges of federal spending, and the need for a market-based approach to healthcare to improve outcomes and reduce cos...
Jan 21, 2025•46 min
In this episode, Joe Grogan speaks with Dr. Anthony Lo Sasso, a health economics expert, about the complexities of health insurance, healthcare access, and the role of employers in the healthcare system. They discuss the evolution of health economics, the misconceptions surrounding health insurance, and how these misunderstandings impact health outcomes. The conversation also covers the implications of employer-sponsored insurance and its influence on access to care. Throughout, Dr. Lo Sasso emp...
Jan 15, 2025•49 min
In this episode of DC EKG, Joe Grogan is joined by Kat McDavitt and Lisa Bari, hosts of the Health Tech Talk Show, to discuss the broader challenges and opportunities surrounding healthcare data interoperability. They explore the critical role of CMS, state data infrastructure, and private sector efforts in improving data movement across healthcare systems. The conversation emphasizes the need for policy changes, innovation, and better regulatory frameworks to enhance data exchange, especially i...
Jan 09, 2025•50 min
In this conversation, Dr. Joel Zinberg discusses the complex relationship between health insurance and health outcomes, arguing that while insurance provides financial security, it does not significantly improve measurable health outcomes. He critiques the focus on government insurance programs like Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, highlighting issues with access to care and the effectiveness of preventive measures. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of behavioral factors and med...
Dec 30, 2024•39 min
In this insightful episode of DC EKG, Dr. Robert Redfield, former CDC Director, discusses the critical issues facing America's public health system. He advocates for vaccine transparency, individual choice, and reflects on the failures of the COVID vaccine rollout. Redfield calls for a holistic approach to public health, focusing on obesity, mental health, and addiction as key priorities. He stresses the need for a biosecure health system and biosecurity reforms to prepare for future pandemics. ...
Nov 29, 2024•52 min
How can we reform our government’s institutions to remain effective in a politically polarized era, where elites influence policy, global competition is rising, and social media shapes public perceptions? Daniel Rothschild and Joe Grogan explore this urgent challenge in-depth. They discuss the need for fundamental reform to modernize bureaucratic systems, improve efficiency, and increase accountability in government operations, particularly in relation to the federal budget. They analyze the pol...
Nov 18, 2024•57 min
In this episode, Joe Grogan and Eric Ueland are joined by Dr. Lanhee Chen to discuss the future of healthcare policy in the U.S. They reflect on healthcare reforms under the first Trump administration and what a second term could bring, including the importance of price transparency and reorienting the system around patients. The conversation also covers Medicaid reform, state-level innovations, and critiques of the Inflation Reduction Act, highlighting the need for a more competitive, consumer-...
Nov 08, 2024•52 min
In this conversation, Joe Grogan and Justin Schubow discuss the recent World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C., exploring its artistic significance, contrasting it with other memorials, and examining the broader implications of architectural design in the city. Schubow emphasizes the importance of classical architecture and critiques modernist designs, advocating for a revitalization of Washington's aesthetic integrity. The discussion also touches on the political dynamics surrounding architect...
Oct 28, 2024•55 min
In this conversation, Joe Grogan and Ge Bai discuss the complexities of healthcare finance, focusing on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and its implications for drug pricing and Medicare. They delve into the role of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) in estimating the financial impacts of healthcare policies, highlighting the discrepancies between projected savings and actual costs. The discussion also touches on the challenges faced by seniors under Medicare Part D, the potential consequen...
Oct 15, 2024•40 min
In this episode of DCEKG, hosts Eric Ueland and Joe Grogan engage with economist Casey Mulligan to dissect the implications of the Inflation Reduction Act, the dynamics of Medicare Advantage, and the challenges posed by regulatory overreach. They explore the shortcomings of the Congressional Budget Office in accurately scoring healthcare legislation, the impact of environmental policies on market dynamics, and the need for reform in the FDA's drug approval process. The conversation highlights th...
Sep 30, 2024•51 min
In this episode of DC EKG, we sit down with Mark Paoletta, a Partner at Schaerr Jaffe LLP and Senior Fellow at the Center for Renewing America. Paoletta takes a deep dive into the concept of impoundment—the presidential power to refuse to spend funds allocated by Congress. Drawing from historical examples, Paoletta critiques the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, arguing that it unconstitutionally limits the president’s authority over the budget. He also explores how various administrations have h...
Sep 23, 2024•55 min
In this episode of DC EKG , Tim Frost, Founder and President of 50 Elixir and Senior Fellow at the Cicero Institute, delves into the intersection of healthcare and policy, with a specific focus on the evolving role of pharmacists. Tim highlights the need for healthcare deregulation to spur innovation and improve patient care, particularly in light of the rising costs of medications and the challenges faced by independent pharmacies. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Cicero Institute 50 Elixir...
Sep 16, 2024•55 min
Callie Means, CEO of TruMed and co-author of the book Good Energy, discusses the partnership between RFK Jr. and Donald Trump in addressing childhood chronic disease. Means explains how he saw an alignment between Trump and RFK Jr. in their concern for childhood chronic disease and decided to bring them together. He emphasizes the need to address the corruption and conflicts of interest in the scientific guidelines and medical industry that contribute to the increasing rates of chronic disease. ...
Sep 09, 2024•56 min
In this riveting episode of DC EKG, we sit down with Yuval Levin, a leading voice in American constitutional thought and the author of the newly released book, American Covenant: How the Constitution Unified Our Nation and Could Again . Levin delves deep into the origins and evolution of the U.S. Constitution, offering a fresh perspective on its role in fostering unity across a diverse nation. Resources: Yuval Levin’s New Book: American Covenant: How the Constitution Unified Our Nation and Could...
Aug 26, 2024•57 min
In this special DC EKG rerun, Victoria Coates—former advisor to Defense Secretary Don Rumsfeld and coauthor of his memoir Known and Unknown —delivers a critical analysis of the 10/7 terrorist attacks and their impact on Arab-Israeli relations, a dynamic she helped shape during her tenure as Deputy National Security Advisor under President Trump. Coates reveals the current administration's failures in maintaining global peace, its narrow focus on China and climate issues, and the overextension in...
Aug 12, 2024•53 min
Join host Joe Grogan as he chats with Dr. Joel Zinberg, a senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, in this insightful episode. Dr. Zinberg brings a unique perspective with his dual background in medicine and law. He shares his fascinating journey of pursuing both an MD and JD simultaneously, and how he balanced the demands of a surgical residency with law school. Dr. Zinberg provides valuable insights into his work in organ transplantation, highlighting the ethical and legal challe...
Aug 05, 2024•55 min
Hosts Joe and Eric chat with Jonathan Wolfson about his policymaking career, focusing on deregulation and workforce development at the Labor Department. They discuss government decision-making challenges and the Cicero Institute's entrepreneurial policy solutions. One notable proposal addresses the U.S. doctor shortage by allowing foreign-trained doctors to obtain provisional licenses, a policy now implemented in several states. Chapters 07:22 Jonathan Wolfson's Career in Policymaking 18:19 The ...
Jul 29, 2024•50 min
In this riveting episode, hosts Joe and Eric dive into two major political events shaping America's current landscape: the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and key takeaways from the Republican National Convention. Join us for in-depth analysis, expert opinions, and the hosts' reactions to these significant developments. We'll explore how the media played a dual role—bringing the assassination attempt to the public's attention while also attempting to downplay its si...
Jul 22, 2024•50 min
In this insightful episode, Joe and Eric begin by delving into the recent historic shakeup in UK politics. They dissect the reasons behind Labour's significant win and the surprising success of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party. The discussion then shifts to the aftermath of the first presidential debate in the US. Joe and Eric analyze its implications for both Joe Biden and Donald Trump's candidacies, exploring how each candidate performed across different policy areas and what these performances ...
Jul 08, 2024•29 min
In this episode, hosts Joe and Eric discuss Brenda Hafera's impactful report, "Men Without Meaning: The Harmful Effects of Expressive Individualism," from The Heritage Foundation. The report examines the crisis facing American boys and men across mental, physical, economic, academic, and spiritual dimensions. Hafera critiques welfare policies for their unintended impact on single motherhood and explores how the sexual revolution has reshaped family dynamics. She also addresses the transformation...
Jul 01, 2024•51 min
In this episode of DC EKG, hosts Joe Grogan and Eric Ueland welcome Jackson Hammond, a Senior Policy Analyst at Paragon Health Institute, to explore the future of U.S. health spending. Jackson provides a detailed analysis of the CMS National Health Expenditure report, discussing the projected $7.7 trillion spending by 2032, current expenditure trends, and the drivers behind 2023's spending spike. The conversation also covers the impact of inflation and policy changes, the challenges of sustainin...
Jun 24, 2024•51 min
In this episode of DC EKG, hosts Joe Grogan and Eric Ueland sit down with Sally Pipes, the President and CEO of the Pacific Research Institute, to discuss California's decision to provide free healthcare to illegal immigrants and its implications for taxpayers and the healthcare system. Throughout the discussion, Sally delves into the challenges of a single-payer healthcare system, discusses patient empowerment amidst government-centric policies, and critiques the Affordable Care Act for its ong...
Jun 17, 2024•52 min
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Kevin Bardosh to explore the profound impacts of COVID-19 policies on society. From the harms of social distancing and lockdowns to the ethical dilemmas posed by vaccine mandates, Dr. Bardosh provides a comprehensive analysis of the balance between individual rights and public health needs. We also delve into the ideology driving current public health policies and discuss necessary reforms. Finally, we examine the WHO's proposed Pandemic Treaty and the broad...
Jun 10, 2024•49 min
In a special DC EKG flashback episode, we're revisiting one of our favorite conversations with Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, the director of Stanford's Center for Demography and Economics of Health and Aging. Jay tells the sad and painful story of how the government, big tech, and academia conspired to suppress voices. Blacklisting at Twitter, ruined careers, and zero tolerance for questioning use of masks on children, the efficacy of vaccines, and lockdowns. The federal government's implied and real th...
Jun 04, 2024•1 hr 10 min
In this episode of DC EKG, Dr. Marty Makary uncovers the alarming truth behind some of modern medicine's most significant blunders, revealing how medical groupthink has caused widespread harm. From the surge in peanut allergies due to misguided recommendations to the dire consequences of opioid misinformation, he exposes the hubris of the medical establishment and its failings. Additionally, he delves into the recent congressional inquiry on deleted COVID-19 emails, highlighting where medicine f...
May 28, 2024•47 min
