Welcome to another episode of Health Impact Live! In today's episode, we're excited to share five positive developments in the world of healthcare. From advances in pharmaceuticals to innovative approaches to women's health, we've got a lot of good news to cover. Join us as we dive into these uplifting stories.
These five good things in healthcare illustrate positive developments in various aspects of the industry. From tackling COVID-19 to reducing drug prices and advancing women's healthcare, these stories inspire hope for a brighter future in healthcare. Stay tuned for more uplifting healthcare news in future episodes!
Janae Sharp, Founder, The Sharp Index
Megan Antonelli, Chief Executive Officer, HealthIMPACT Live
Five Good Things
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Megan Antonelli: Hi, everybody. Welcome to another installment of Health Impact Live and our really fun, but only happened once, and now we're going to do it again. Five good things in health care. I'm Megan Antonelli, your co host, along with my friend, Janae.
Hi, Janae
Janae Sharp: hi, I'm Janaye Sharp, founder of the Sharp Index, and I'm looking forward to hearing the good news in health care.
Megan Antonelli: It took us a while to come up with five new things, huh?
Janae Sharp: I came up with many ideas that were sarcastic [00:01:00] and funny, and I think we'll probably end up using a little bit of both, you know?
Megan Antonelli: We will for sure. Well,
Janae Sharp: how everything gets interpreted like there's good and bad to some of these things today. So I'm looking forward to hearing about them.
Megan Antonelli: Well, aren't there always there are in terms of the the 1st 1, which is an easy 1, which is that the COVID booster shots came out. They're approved. And I think we're going to get them. It's not really good that. It's back and that we have to worry about it again, but it's nice to know the vaccines are back and we have some and hopefully we'll be able to get our hands on them.
Janae Sharp: Yeah, I think a lot of people wonder kind of what's going on with COVID. I know that the schools here are pretty strict,
Megan Antonelli: like my kid's school.
Janae Sharp: So we're talking a lot about, you know, get your flu shots. But I think the rates of people who are still missing school or missing stuff are really high.
still. And [00:02:00] COVID still exists. So
Megan Antonelli: It's also a question like,
Janae Sharp: where are we at with this? Who's paying for the vaccine? What's the long term outlook on this versus just Another thing where we're not quite sure.
Megan Antonelli: Yeah, it's kind of crazy. I mean, I think I read the price somewhere between $110 to $130.
And so with the vaccine cocktail that we need coming into the fall with flu and now RSV, although I don't think you and I have to get RSV necessarily. I think it's for older folks. We're not quite there yet, or at least I'm not, I'm getting there. But it's nice to have it, but it isn't necessarily all going to be covered for sure.
Janae Sharp: That's a great question.
Megan Antonelli: Yeah, but that does bring us to the 2nd. Good thing, which is a couple of weeks ago. Maybe last week. It all goes too fast, but the Biden administration identified their 1st, 10 drugs [00:03:00] for the Medicare drug price negotiation which I guess I, you know, it was passed a year ago and now they're telling us which drugs are going to be part of it.
And those are pretty significant. I was looking at just 1 example. It might be the biggest 1, but I think it's Eloquence. And that's for the prevention and treatment of blood clots, which accounts for 16 trillion a year in Medicare spending. So if they control that too, I think they said 35 a month per person.
That brings the cost down from like 4, 500 a year to 450 a year per person. And there's like 4 million people on it. So that will say Medicare. A lot of money. And then Jardians, which we see a lot of commercials for. So there must be a lot of people on it. I don't see
Janae Sharp: commercials for that. I try to keep my commercials like about shoes, you know, can use your predictive tech.
You
Megan Antonelli: have to, you know, you have to watch Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune sometimes to see TV [00:04:00] commercials today. Yeah,
Janae Sharp: they still exist. I believe in commercials. So. Is this part of the Inflation Reduction
Megan Antonelli: Act? I believe it is, yes. Yeah,
Janae Sharp: so it looks like healthcare insurance costs have gone up 28 percent according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, and inflation was 8.
2. So healthcare costs were rising much higher than inflation causing stress for people and, you know, you have to pick. What are you going to pick today? Are you going to pick healthy food? Are you going to pick your health insurance? And a lot of Consumers and patients. You know, a lot of humans were feeling that stress.
So I think it's good that they're looking at long term solutions. Like, how are we going to reduce these costs and make things? less stressful for, for the people caring for, for their families, caring for parents and children. Anything we can do to kind of make [00:05:00] things more sustainable is important.
Megan Antonelli: Yeah, I mean, the whole thing with Medicare drug pricing, I mean, ever since Medicare Part D was created, and there's been You know, obviously other countries they control the price. So the fact that in the United States, we've never had that ability for any drugs is pretty yeah, kind of stuff. So it's a good thing.
We have it. I'm sure there's ramifications. I'm sure there's going to be some, you know, pushback from the pharmaceutical industry and the you know, and in terms of which drugs and what it means, but it's moving in the right direction. Another good thing I saw, which actually shocked me because really actually, when I started getting into health care way back when it was around when the Medicare.
Part D came into effect. And at that time, you know, it was all about how Medicare wasn't sustainable. It was never going to be affordable. The prices were going to go up, you know, continue to go up there had been [00:06:00] escalating since the 80s and how much it was going to just basically collapse under the weight of, you know, the boomers and you know, the changing demographic, not the weight of the boomers, the the number of, of boomers that would be aging in.
And I read in a New York Times article that in fact, the cost has not gone up at the rate that they expected. So that was another good thing.
Janae Sharp: Like with housing, boomers are going to be able to afford the houses and now the health care, right? It's great news, right?
Megan Antonelli: Yeah. The question is, I guess, they don't know.
What caused the, the sort of flattening of the cost and that's you know, it's really, it's fascinating to me but there's been a lot of, you know, sort of, what could it be? Is it value based care? Is it the, you know, the coverage of prescription drugs? Is it technology? How many of the multiple factors that have come into play have contributed to that?
Janae Sharp: Yeah, I wonder if some [00:07:00] of it's also like private insurance is paying for more, like, maybe people are working longer. I am not in drug pricing or
Medicare. I'm glad that there are more groups who are working on increasing access and decreasing the cost for those seniors. Like, I saw like their health plans now targeted towards the LGBTQ population. Like, I think we've come a long way in trying to actually meet people's health needs.
So that shift is, it's massive. I think if we worked harder on meeting people's needs and supporting each other, the costs will be so much lower.
Megan Antonelli: Well, yeah, and it's, I mean, I think there is some data that shows even, you know, people have quit smoking. There's fewer smokers that are aging into Medicare. So that impacts it.
That was a big, big cost. You know, so. People are hopefully taking better care of themselves, and that is alleviating some of the costs there as well. [00:08:00] But that doesn't make the problem hasn't gone away, right? It just because the incredible burden to the government to pay for Medicare has not increased.
It doesn't mean one. It's not still increasing. It doesn't mean it's still to it. Not, you know, or still too expensive for many way too many seniors to get the care that they need. And there's still a hell of a lot. It doesn't cover right. So, you know, there's, there's definitely another side to that. Good side is there always is.
I
Janae Sharp: think we need to think really hard. The years of our lives that are the most expensive in terms of health care are the end of our lives. So, you know,
Megan Antonelli: Yeah, the alternative to not spending the money is not a good 1, but and that that actually is a great segue to 1 of the good thing that you had mentioned. Do you want it? Yes,
Janae Sharp: I I did want to mention some of the work that I've been reading about from the Deloitte. Health Equity Institute. They've been talking about [00:09:00] how employers have the power to help help people live happier lives and longer lives.
So you live longer and you can be happier the whole time, which is is great news. And there was a report that they they had the ability to add how many years was it? Was it 12 or 20? I think it was 19. 4 years. So your lifespan increases, but, but your health, your lifespan increases 12 years, but your health span.
So the years where you're in good health, where you're able to do things that increases 19. 4 and. I think it's great news for a few reasons. At first I was like, this sounds risky. So our, our boss is good to decide, but I like, it's so easy. And I also like the emphasis that if we invest in people. [00:10:00] That's going to be that that's the right thing to do economically and here are the steps to get there because I think a lot of people that's not always obvious, like, Oh, yeah, I see how it makes sense.
To to do these things. I think sometimes we we throw in benefits and in health care. Sometimes when you're putting out those employer benefits, they're like, this doesn't solve the problem. So we forget that long term picture of how to, like, build healthy lives ourselves and that relationship.
Megan Antonelli: Yeah, for sure. I think one of the things that struck me in that was that the length of our health span is like 64 years and I think, Oh, well, that's great because that's what most people spend working and then they spend the next 15 years, you know, not as healthy and I talk a lot about, I mean, when I first started, it was.
You know, we are always trying to get the employers involved in the discussion. And at the time they, they were, I mean, [00:11:00] the Washington business group on health Pacific business group on health was the large consortiums of health system of employers who. We're super engaged and there was a medical director at, you know, at Ford and I'm sure there still is, you know, but it is not the same discussion as it used to be in part because I think they've come up with their ways of financing health care.
Maybe there's also some element of what's been going on, which is that the levers to control health care costs have changed. So they're not talking about. What are we doing here to improve productivity and to improve, with our health benefits, whereas they're looking at other ways to do that within their employer, you know, within the employees.
And I think a lot of the big technology companies have had such a different approach to their the wellness of their employee, right? So, you know, whether it's to promote physical activity and [00:12:00] coverage of memberships and things like that, but it hasn't been as much around. You know, sort of that, that dialogue has shifted.
So it's nice to see Deloitte, who obviously works with many, many fortune 500 companies and those employers to sort of to be trying to bring them back into that conversation. Because I think a lot of the innovators out there are always looking to the employer as their audience, right? As their, you know, oh, if we could just get, you know Apple to give us, you know, to, to prescribe us or to put us on the, on the formula or the benefit package.
Then we have a market, but that hasn't tend to have been a pathway that's really worked for many. And the insurance companies are in the process of figuring out what they'll cover and what they'll provide when it comes to digital innovations and wearables and things like that.
But it's, it's typically been pretty limited. Yeah.
Janae Sharp: I love the focus that things will be focused on, you know, what, what the drivers of health are building healthy lives instead of [00:13:00] just this treatment based model, like slabs of medication on it, like instead of consciously pick things that are positioned to increase health literacy, to increase access to healthy nutrients and healthy nutrition and to teach people, not all of this stuff
Megan Antonelli: is obvious.
No, for sure. Yeah, I know. And I think the right food element of it. I mean, when you think about employers and all they offer their perks, and it's like a candy room, it's like the last thing I ever wanted, like, it would be like, Oh, no, thank you. I don't need to work here. But the snacks, snacks,
Janae Sharp: snacks, but I'm also pro healthy food, you know, and I think it makes such a huge difference to have that perspective where you're able to see the economic benefit as an employer and able to see that, like, okay, like, when I do this.
When I do what's right, which is like investing in a healthier community, clean air, clean water. I'm also [00:14:00] going to benefit financially.
Megan Antonelli: Right. And it seems, I mean, from the, the report from Deloitte, it seems like they're trying to move the discussion away from just the cost of insurance to the benefit of improving the health of your employer, right?
Of employee in terms of not just and the, and the focus, there's a lot of emphasis on mental health as opposed to just. Okay. Physical, you know, health you know, which tends to think it's
Janae Sharp: hard because I think a lot of people wonder, like, who's going to pay for this? Like, who pays for this? Who's responsible?
You know, this is a public health thing. Like, is this the government? Is this only people who are employed? Get it only rich people. But what I like is the idea that everyone should do what they can, you know, like, maybe your employer shouldn't have to pay for everything in your life. Maybe they shouldn't buy you a house.
You know, they're not all Mr. Beast, but like they, if they do invest in communities, it's going to be good. So, [00:15:00] and, you know, I don't think only employed people should be able to have a healthy life, but seeing people who are willing to invest in communities, any employer, that's great. You know, and, and no matter what your belief is about the structure, because I was like, I don't know, but no matter what it is, like more help, instead of people pointing fingers
Megan Antonelli: is going forward.
Right. And I do think it comes down to, you know, what have my, you know, the dream is always getting all of the stakeholders to move in the same direction. And I think, you know, if the pairs are finally coming to the table and covering some of the other things that have been less traditional and, you know, some of those things being offered, like whether it's talk space or better health or, or apps and things that do have.
Some evidence of of working that they start to cover those and that the employers are also playing paying an active role in that, which reminds me of one. I forget if this actually made our full list, but the [00:16:00] Peterson Health Technology Institute released today. A framework for evaluating digital health technologies, and I think that's good news.
I haven't had a chance to fully dig deep into it, but I'm excited to see the work that they're doing. I know they got a big grant earlier this year for digital health. And as with all of our work with node health and the digital medicine conference, this has been a big, you know, just discussion and there's a lot of people working on how to bring the rigor of evidence.
Space medicine to digital technologies and tools and wearables and it and looking at this, it looks like a pretty solid structure that, you know, both payers and maybe eventually even, you know, sort of employers will be able to use to see, you know. What, what works and what they should pay for. And they're working with ICER, which is the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review, who have traditionally been, you know, a player in getting those new technologies and [00:17:00] new drugs and therapeutics covered and evaluated for the payer markets.
Yes, that's fantastic news. I
Janae Sharp: think, like, if you could know whether or not something actually has the outcomes that you need. And gives provides an economic benefit before you've invested so much time, the human capital to learn more about digital technology can be pretty heavy, especially for smaller or hospitals or rural areas.
So that's great news. And I think 1 thing that did make our list. That I found was in Utah. They have a new law that allows a pharmacist to prescribe, prescribe you birth control through telehealth
Megan Antonelli: visits. And love that. I like it. I think
Janae Sharp: it makes increases access. It makes it easier. We really do have a [00:18:00] shortage of providers, like health care providers, you know, not yet physicians, nurses across the board and increasing access for people at a lower cost for things that don't really.
Need right. That's great. Yeah,
Megan Antonelli: it's not. No, absolutely. That's great. Both from, you know, that cost and access the physician shortage. It's only getting worse. I think I read more about that this week to you know, so that that is great. And especially in Utah, which I believe you are headed to next week.
Yes, I'm heading
Janae Sharp: there tomorrow. I'm headed there. Yeah, I get to go visit and see everybody and we get to talk about, you know, how technology can help us solve health care problems and. We're going to meet with some of the lawmakers who are responsible for this. In Utah, they do need more people who can care for, for women like obstetricians, gynecologists.
So, freeing up some [00:19:00] of their time is going to be critical to meeting that need.
Megan Antonelli: For sure. And that's what the Utah hymns. Yes, that's what the Utah
Janae Sharp: hymns conference. Yes. Nice. I think I'm thrilled to hear some of the things that people have done, like. Both to just increase health and and some of those people they really care.
So are you traveling anywhere? I want to hear
Megan Antonelli: But I was just going to say, I'm thrilled to see that the regional HIMSS groups are starting up their conferences again and bringing those back online. I'm excited. I am excited to be part of another of the HFMA, Southern California regional event that's going to be September 27th.
And that is the women's disruptive leadership summit and HIMSS Southern California as a partner. And A C H E and the Women's business group. So, and Health Impact is a partner, so we're excited. We've really
Janae Sharp: gotten a lot of people together for that. Like this is like people are on board for women.
I like
Megan Antonelli: that. Yeah. Yeah. Our partner for that has [00:20:00] really done an amazing job bringing together that those. Regional groups, and that's nice to see and supporting women leadership. And it's cool because it's not just technology. It's finance and technology and that intersection and health care which is good, you know, because I spent a lot of time on the.
More of the clinical IT stuff. So it's nice to and it's a it's a really cool group. We have Karen Tessman. We have and, you know, some folks, the CFO of Memorial Care really great ladies who are going to be there. And I know it's exciting to see. There's quite a few, you know, women in health care, women leadership events.
We are, of course, our next Thursday health development. Health provider. Health virtual. Yeah. Yeah. We'll be focused on that. And I'm interviewing Colleen Lyons and Gita Ne for that, so That's exciting. That is nice.
Janae Sharp: I think I was able to also be part of the hit, like a girl pod Road to health.
Mm-hmm. as we joined the was a [00:21:00] charity partner, and we got to go to some of the meetups and just see how women were supporting each other. And elevating their voices. So they'll have more meetups in Chicago and in Denver. And finally at that, that conference. And I like the focus to elevate women's voices and the disruptive conference sounds great.
I also saw something online today at women make up 24 percent of the C suite. And I've been able to work with them. Fantastic female leaders. I didn't realize that statistic. Was there
Megan Antonelli: still? Yeah. I mean,
Janae Sharp: maybe I just like, Oh, really? It's still
Megan Antonelli: that long. Like I work.
Janae Sharp: So weird. I'm like in leadership roles, but
Megan Antonelli: it kind of highlights
Janae Sharp: the importance that we have the importance to like L to invest in women to really find [00:22:00] ways that work like, like your summit. I also saw that the, there was Thanks. Like a fellowship for women in New York that maybe we could link to women in power To really make sure leaders are able to support each other and move forward.
Megan Antonelli: So, yeah, I think it's amazing. I mean, we and also like the woman that Ross Brewer who just left Walgreens. I mean, you're seeing, you know, there's an uptick and now, you know, that she left and, sometimes the tenure for women in those roles isn't as high and there's got to be a cultural reason for that within the organizations and probably society that that tends to you know, have that that not be that number not change very much.
And I think it's, it has changed. And when I think back to trying to produce health impact and get women on the podium 10 years ago, there's a lot more women in leadership roles now for sure.[00:23:00] But it, it isn't, it isn't much more than 24%, , that's for sure. And, and healthcare at its, sort of managerial level is a pretty diverse.
Market and industry, right? So you would think that that it wouldn't be that hard to elevate people. And if we were doing the right type of mentorship and the right type of of training and creating, you know, that environment, it would happen. But there are some amazing who have come into that space, like, who did we have? Erica Steed. She's my favorite. And she's in the C suite. She is cool. Yeah. She has like very good energy. She does. And she's doing a lot of good things and she's, you know, and she's young and she's smart. And it's good to see the, the, they get elevated eventually. But we'll have to keep at it, keep having our events and, and getting people on that.
Yeah.
Janae Sharp: So I think, yeah. It's consciously making those choices to make things easier. I think of that sometimes when it's like, [00:24:00] Oh, this is more work. Well, but yeah, we're doing the work now to put in like purposeful planning so that eventually this becomes easy. This becomes normal. You know, this becomes so much part of what we do, but it's taken for granted that, that women would be included or any other group that's like historically underrepresented.
Megan Antonelli: Right, for sure. I mean, you know, and I think it goes back to, I mean, I was just reading the article about teachers in, you know, the teachers aren't staying in the profession anymore. And it's not well,
Janae Sharp: I'm a teacher.
I don't know why they don't stay.
Megan Antonelli: Right. And so, you know, and so with the physician shortage and, you know, health care and education being probably, you know, if there's anything more important, let me know, but I think they're incredibly important and that we can't keep people employed, let alone create the diversity that we would expect to see in them.
[00:25:00] You know, it's bad on us, but we're supposed to talk about good things. So we'll talk about the good things, which are where we're going and you know, that there are. Some movements and some people who are really working towards the right things, right? And there
Janae Sharp: are opportunities
Megan Antonelli: to support women all around you.
Absolutely. So I think we hit on more than five, which is like a record.
Janae Sharp: That's a record for us. Yeah. Just kidding. We're always talking. We talk about things we like all the time.
Megan Antonelli: We always go south though, somehow.
Janae Sharp: No, it doesn't. You're in trouble. Oh, well, good to chat.
Megan Antonelli: Thanks for joining us and we will be back hopefully sooner to talk about five more good things in healthcare.
Absolutely. Bye. Bye.
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