Episodes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RunBRmhJq5g&list=PLKpkKZ4OxkU7kgB8MVqDoo-t_K17673tF In this episode of Vital Viewpoints on Healthcare, we sit down with Kelsey Stevens, CEO of Wakely, HMA’s actuarial practice, to explore how healthcare organizations are preparing for 2027. Kelsey discusses why the industry is moving beyond growth at all costs and toward a more disciplined approach focused on long-term sustainability. She also explains how scenario modeling can help leaders navigate uncertainty a...

https://youtu.be/DM7u5SUL4h8?si=59ycFac3y2GSPZYR In this episode of Vital Viewpoints on Healthcare, Clint Eisenhower, regional director at Health Management Associates, discusses the critical role of Medicaid program integrity and why it is about much more than preventing fraud. Drawing on his experience leading state and federal Medicaid program integrity organizations, Clint explains how protecting taxpayer dollars, managing enterprise risk, and ensuring the right people and processes are in ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HwxWHF5px0&list=PLKpkKZ4OxkU7kgB8MVqDoo-t_K17673tF In this episode of Vital Viewpoints on Healthcare, HMA Regional Director Cara Henley discusses how healthcare organizations can plan for constant policy change without losing focus on their mission. Drawing on decades of experience in Medicaid policy, ACA implementation, and state healthcare transformation, Cara shares practical strategies for successfully transitioning policy upheaval into operational success. ...

https://youtu.be/xzbBFO95Zyw?si=1Cx8taXFPtTYaWyN Behavioral health is essential to whole-person care, but obstacles include fragmented systems, rising costs, and paperwork burden. On this episode of HMA Vital Viewpoints on Healthcare, HMA Principal Alyssa Lord, former Secretary of Maryland’s Behavioral Health Administration, discusses how behavioral health integration and program integrity can work hand in hand to improve care. Alyssa shares practical strategies for building more connected, eff...

https://youtu.be/jd7ahzxb3lw?si=qymi-InQgJeYox80 This episode of Vital Viewpoints on Healthcare explores the growing coverage gap across the health insurance landscape and the pressures shaping affordability, enrollment, and access to care. The discussion covers coverage churn between Medicaid and ACA Marketplace plans, the operational and financial realities faced by states, and the warning signs emerging for consumers, providers, and health plans alike. Zach Sherman, managing director at Heal...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaIwujyoGyo This episode of Vital Viewpoints on Healthcare explores how evolving Medicare payment policy is reshaping where and how care is delivered. The discussion covers the phase-out of the inpatient only list and the operational and financial challenges tied to shifting procedures into outpatient settings. Zach Gaumer, regional director at Health Management Associates, shares his perspective on the policy mechanics, provider behavior, and market signals emer...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUpHAdaPkMY&list=PLKpkKZ4OxkU7kgB8MVqDoo-t_K17673tF&index=1&t=9s This episode of Vital Viewpoints on Healthcare unpacks the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape for pharmaceuticals. The discussion covers the challenges to innovation, such as the growing unpredictability in FDA policy, the challenges with reimbursement, and the increasing role of real-world evidence in bringing therapies to market. Julie Tierney, principal at Leavitt Partners (an HMA Company) sha...

Eric Marshall, principal at Leavitt Partners, an HMA company, shares how collaboration, not competition, is the way to move healthcare policy forward in a polarized environment. In this episode of Vital Viewpoints on Healthcare, he discusses how multi-sector alliances are advancing solutions to common pain points that too often impede progress on issues like drug pricing, supply chain security, and rural health access. Drawing on years of experience bringing stakeholders together, Eric explains ...

In this episode of Vital Viewpoints on Healthcare, Robert Ross and Warren Brodine from HMA’s Delivery Systems practice explore how hospitals and community health centers can work together to strengthen access, improve health outcomes, and improve financial sustainability across the healthcare system. Drawing from decades of leadership in safety-net hospitals, FQHCs, and integrated care models, they discuss the real-world challenges of fragmented incentives, payer mix, and regulation and share bo...

Michelle Anderson, director and senior consulting actuary at Wakely, an HMA Company, joins Vital Viewpoints on Healthcare to unpack the state of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. From the market’s volatile beginnings to today’s uncertainty around subsidies, Michelle shares how insurers, states, and consumers have adapted and what challenges lie ahead. We explore the forces shaping affordability, coverage options, and consumer behavior, as well as the critical policy decisions that could...

Quality is a word we all use in healthcare, but what does it truly mean for patients, clinicians, and systems striving to improve care? In this episode of Vital Viewpoints on Healthcare, Sarah Hudson Scholle, Principal at Leavitt Partners, an HMA company, and a nationally recognized expert in healthcare quality unpacks how quality has been defined and measured over the years, why measurement sometimes gets in the way of improvement, and how digital interoperability will more accurately capture t...

Rebecca Nielsen and Alex Rich, co-leaders of HMA’s Strategy and Transformation practice, have been supporting healthcare strategies in an ever-changing environment defined by constant healthcare disruption from AI, shifting regulatory policies, and financial strain. With so much change in the air now, many strategic plans are outdated before they ever get implemented. In this episode of Vital Viewpoints on Healthcare, they expose the blind spots that sabotage even the most well-crafted strategie...

As Medicaid faces another set of policy shifts, this episode provides a look-back on the many twists and turns Medicaid has faced throughout the years. Jay Rosen, president and chairman of HMA, reflects on his work with states and health plans over the past four decades in their efforts to deliver services to vulnerable populations amidst shifting federal and state priorities, innovative delivery and payment models, and increased private sector involvement. With a sharp focus on policy, equity, ...

Monica Johnson, managing director at Health Management Associates, takes us through her compelling journey from frontline caregiver to national leader in behavioral health policy. In this episode of Vital Viewpoints on Healthcare, Monica reflects on the national rollout of the 988 crisis line as one of the most transformative shifts in creating a stigma-free behavioral health system of care that meets people where they are to support whatever crisis they may face. Monica shares personal stories ...

Amy Bassano is a Managing Director at Health Management Associates and a nationally recognized Medicare policy expert. In this episode of Vital Viewpoints on Healthcare, we unpack the complexities of Medicare innovation and examine where the program is headed next. Drawing on decades of experience—including her leadership at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation—Amy breaks down what makes value-based care so complex, why scaling successful models is harder than it sounds, and how Medic...

John Eller, managing principal at Health Management Associates, joins Vital Viewpoints on Healthcare to discuss the critical role of resilience in local health services. As communities navigate shifting federal policies, economic uncertainty, and natural disasters, John shares insights on how agencies can remain nimble, collaborative, and innovative. Drawing from his extensive experience in Medicaid transformation, behavioral health, and social services leadership, he highlights the power of com...

Maddy Shea is a public health leader and passionate advocate for housing as a critical component of community health. In this episode of Vital Viewpoints on Healthcare, she shares insights on how housing and healthcare sectors can break down silos to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations. Drawing from her experience at the CMS Office of Minority Health and her work with health plans, affordable housing organizations, and policymakers, Maddy explores the challenges and opportunities in alig...

Jennifer Bridgeforth, associate principal at Health Management Associates, dives into the complexities of fraud, waste, and abuse in healthcare, examining the blurred lines between inefficient processes and intentional misconduct. The conversation explores how value-based care, provider education, and technology could pave the way for more efficient and patient-centered healthcare. Listen to discover insights on navigating these challenges in a shifting healthcare landscape.

Tom Cochran, partner at 720 Strategies, is a renowned expert in digital communication and healthcare public relations. Tom reflects on the broader impact of digital tools, acknowledging both their potential to connect us and their unintended consequences, such as cognitive overload and societal fragmentation. The conversation highlights practical strategies for navigating transitions in leadership—whether in politics or healthcare—and emphasizes the importance of understanding, listening, and ad...

Kevin Kirby, managing director at Health Management Associates, gives a closer look at the evolution of Medicare’s drug coverage and the policies that have transformed patient access and affordability. From Clinton era ideas, to the launch of the Medicare Modernization Act and then the Affordable Care Act, Kevin has advised clients as these significant milestones have shaped and reshaped Medicare’s drug benefits. He discusses the implications of the Inflation Reduction Act, raising important que...

Uma Ahluwalia, managing principal at HMA, discusses the importance of keeping families at the center of children’s health and welfare services and highlights how government should provide services in support of the family unit. The conversation emphasizes that addressing family issues like poverty, trauma, and lack of resources is key to improving child welfare. She also explores the need for integrated services—across health, behavioral health, education, and safety—to address the interconnecte...

Caprice Knapp, a seasoned health economist with over 20 years of experience in Medicaid and healthcare policy, shares her journey through various roles in government, academia, and private insurance. In this episode, Caprice offers a unique perspective on the challenges of measuring quality in healthcare, the importance of data-driven decision-making, and how global healthcare models can inspire innovation in Medicaid. From pediatric palliative care to cost-effective policy solutions, Caprice sh...

Erin Russell is a principal at Health Management Associates and joins our podcast to discuss the importance emphasizing harm reduction as a compassionate approach to drug policy. She shares her journey from volunteering at a syringe service program to becoming deeply invested in harm reduction, highlighting how these programs offer critical support and connections to treatment and reduce overdose deaths. Erin also explores the impact of drug policy on drug-related harms, advocating for the need ...

Linda Follenweider, an advanced practice registered nurse and board-certified family nurse practitioner with extensive experience in correctional healthcare, discusses the critical gaps in continuity of care for incarcerated individuals. She emphasizes how many receive necessary medical care while in jail or prison but struggle to maintain this care upon release. Highlighting the significant health risks and economic costs associated with this disconnect, she advocates for integrating correction...