Analyzing Healthcare

In this episode, Roy Bejarano speaks with Elizabeth Fowler, former Deputy Administrator of CMS and Director of CMMI (Innovation Center). We dive into the healthcare industry insights surrounding the evolution of value-based care, healthcare leadership, and how regulatory shifts impact healthcare innovations. Elizabeth shares her perspective on healthcare trends, including the successes and challenges of Medicare Advantage, coordinated care, and efforts to bend the cost curve. Elizabeth shares firsthand insights on healthcare innovations that have transformed healthcare industry insights and what must happen next to create a more equitable system.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] Introduction to Elizabeth Fowler, her role in healthcare leadership, and her work with CMS and CMMI
• [04:00] The success and challenges of the Innovation Center in advancing value-based care
• [10:30] The impact of healthcare regulation on healthcare industry insights and provider incentives
• [18:00] Examining U.S. healthcare trends vs. global healthcare models
• [30:00] The role of data, analytics, and interoperability in healthcare innovations
• [45:00] Future outlook on value-based care, Medicare, and the policy roadmap ahead

Key Takeaways

• The Innovation Center has driven major shifts in healthcare trends:Elizabeth Fowler explains how CMMI has reshaped value-based care, encouraging better patient outcomes and cost savings.
• Healthcare leadership must address equity and access: Despite healthcare innovations, disparities persist in access to care, requiring further policy efforts.
• Healthcare industry insights reveal evolving reimbursement models: Regulatory changes impact provider payments, requiring adaptation and strategic planning.
• U.S. healthcare is not broken, but requires continuous innovation: Data-driven solutions and policy shifts will shape the future of healthcare leadership and sustainability.

Resources:

Website: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/person/elizabeth-fowler

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/liz-f-b5612749

About the Guest:

Elizabeth Fowler is an American lawyer who is Director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. She previously served under President Barack Obama at the National Economic Council. In 2022, she was included by Stat News on their list of leaders in the life sciences and she was elected a Member of the National Academy of Medicine.[1]

Healthcare, Healthcare Leadership, Healthcare Trends, Roy Bejarano, Healthcare Innovations, Healthcare Industry Insights, Medicare Advantage, Value-Based Care, Coordinated Care, Healthcare Disparities, Elizabeth Fowler, CMS, CMMI,

In this episode, Roy Bejarano speaks with Elizabeth Fowler, former Deputy Administrator of CMS and Director of CMMI (Innovation Center). We dive into the healthcare industry insights surrounding the evolution of value-based care, healthcare leadership, and how regulatory shifts impact healthcare innovations. Elizabeth shares her perspective on healthcare trends, including the successes and challenges of Medicare Advantage, coordinated care, and efforts to bend the cost curve. Elizabeth shares firsthand insights on healthcare innovations that have transformed healthcare industry insights and what must happen next to create a more equitable system.

• [00:00] Introduction to Elizabeth Fowler, her role in healthcare leadership, and her work with CMS and CMMI
• [04:00] The success and challenges of the Innovation Center in advancing value-based care
• [10:30] The impact of healthcare regulation on healthcare industry insights and provider incentives
• [18:00] Examining U.S. healthcare trends vs. global healthcare models
• [30:00] The role of data, analytics, and interoperability in healthcare innovations
• [45:00] Future outlook on value-based care, Medicare, and the policy roadmap ahead

• The Innovation Center has driven major shifts in healthcare trends:Elizabeth Fowler explains how CMMI has reshaped value-based care, encouraging better patient outcomes and cost savings.
• Healthcare leadership must address equity and access: Despite healthcare innovations, disparities persist in access to care, requiring further policy efforts.
• Healthcare industry insights reveal evolving reimbursement models: Regulatory changes impact provider payments, requiring adaptation and strategic planning.
• U.S. healthcare is not broken, but requires continuous innovation: Data-driven solutions and policy shifts will shape the future of healthcare leadership and sustainability.

Resources:

Website: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/person/elizabeth-fowler

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/liz-f-b5612749

About the Guest:

Elizabeth Fowler, Ph.D., J.D., led the CMS Innovation Center, driving advancements in value-based care and innovative payment models for Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. She’s also a key figure behind landmark healthcare reforms, including the Affordable Care Act.

Healthcare, Healthcare Leadership, Healthcare Trends, Roy Bejarano, Healthcare Innovations, Healthcare Industry Insights, Medicare Advantage, Value-Based Care, Coordinated Care, Healthcare Disparities, Elizabeth Fowler, CMS, CMMI,

In this episode of Analyzing Healthcare, host Roy Bejarano sits down with Senator Richard Burr, former Chair of the HELP Committee and a senior member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, to explore healthcare policy, public health, and national security. With over 30 years in Congress, Senator Burr played a pivotal role in crafting the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) and led healthcare leadership efforts to strengthen U.S. biodefense and pandemic preparedness.

The conversation covers the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its impact on the healthcare industry, the financial sustainability of Medicare and Medicaid, and the rise of AI-driven medical innovation. Senator Burr also shares insights on public health strategies, intelligence policy, and national security concerns related to healthcare infrastructure, pandemic response, and medical advancements.

TimeStamps:

Key Takeaways:

Resources:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/richard-burr-73b015272

Senator Richard Burr, the longtime senator from North Carolina, is renowned for chairing the Senate Intelligence Committee, co-authoring the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA), opposing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), advancing medical innovation, and strengthening U.S. biodefense, healthcare, and intelligence policies, leaving a significant legacy in public health and national security.

Healthcare, Healthcare Leadership, Healthcare Trends, Roy Bejarano, Healthcare Innovations, Healthcare Industry Insights, Medicare Advantage, Value-Based Care, Coordinated Care, Healthcare Disparities, Senator Richard Burr, HELP Committee, Affordable Care Act, enate Intelligence Committee, Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, PAHPA, ACA, medical innovation, U.S. biodefense, healthcare policy, intelligence policy, public health, national security,

Host Roy Bejarano welcomes Dr. David Katz, a globally recognized expert in preventive medicine, nutrition science, and public health. Dr. Katz shares his journey from traditional medicine to becoming a pioneer in lifestyle medicine, advocating for diet-based disease prevention and healthcare innovations that prioritize nutrition, exercise, and behavioral change over reactive treatments.

The conversation covers healthcare industry insights on the obesity epidemic, processed foods, nutrition policy, healthcare leadership, and the economic sustainability of healthcare. They discuss the intersection of healthcare policy, intelligence policy, and public health, and how food industry regulation, AI in healthcare, and national security threats impact healthcare trends in the U.S.

• [00:00] Introduction to the podcast and guest, Dr. David Katz
• [02:00] How a cardiologist’s son became a global leader in preventive medicine and nutrition science
• [06:30] The obesity epidemic: How the U.S. food industry manipulates diet and public health
• [18:00] The science of food addiction and the role of ultra-processed foods in chronic disease
• [30:00] Public health vs. healthcare policy: Why the U.S. system focuses on disease care instead of prevention
• [45:00] The role of government and regulation in curbing the influence of Big Food and Big Tobacco
• [55:00] AI, medical innovation, and the future of healthcare leadership in preventing chronic disease
• [1:10:00] Addressing misinformation in healthcare: How distrust, AI, and media distort public health efforts
• [1:30:00] The biggest healthcare challenge of the future: Preventing disease through better knowledge, not just better medicine

• Healthcare needs to shift from disease care to prevention. Dr. Katz explains how the U.S. healthcare industry profits from treating chronic disease rather than preventing it. Nutrition, exercise, and behavioral health should be primary, not secondary, concerns in healthcare leadership.
• The food industry profits from poor health. Ultra-processed foods are scientifically engineered to be addictive, leading to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Better regulation and public health education are critical to reversing this trend.
• AI & technology could revolutionize healthcare – or make it worse. AI-driven healthcare innovations can personalize preventive care, but misinformation and commercial interests must be addressed to ensure true healthcare industry insights.
• Public health and national security are connected. The U.S. healthcare system is at risk of economic collapse due to rising chronic disease rates. Preventive healthcare isn’t just a medical issue—it’s a public health and intelligence policy issue.

Resources:

Website: https://davidkatzmd.com/

Website: dietid.com/ 

Website: truehealthinitiative.org/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdavidlkatz/?hl=en

LinkedIn- linkedin.com/in/david-l-katz-md-mph-4798667

About the Guest:

David L. Katz, MD, is a specialist in Internal Medicine, Preventive Medicine/Public Health, and Lifestyle Medicine – globally recognized for expertise in chronic disease prevention, health promotion, and nutrition. He has roughly 250 peer-reviewed publications and has authored 19 books.

Healthcare, Healthcare Leadership, Healthcare Trends, Roy Bejarano, Healthcare Innovations, Healthcare Industry Insights, Public Health, Preventive Medicine, Nutrition Science, Lifestyle Medicine, Healthcare Policy

Host Roy Bejarano welcomes Dr. David Katz, a globally recognized expert in preventive medicine, nutrition science, and public health. Dr. Katz shares his journey from traditional medicine to becoming a pioneer in lifestyle medicine, advocating for diet-based disease prevention and healthcare innovations that prioritize nutrition, exercise, and behavioral change over reactive treatments.

The conversation covers healthcare industry insights on the obesity epidemic, processed foods, nutrition policy, healthcare leadership, and the economic sustainability of healthcare. They discuss the intersection of healthcare policy, intelligence policy, and public health, and how food industry regulation, AI in healthcare, and national security threats impact healthcare trends in the U.S.

Timestamps:

Key Takeaways:

Resources:

Website: https://davidkatzmd.com/

Website: dietid.com/ 

Website: truehealthinitiative.org/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdavidlkatz/?hl=en

LinkedIn- linkedin.com/in/david-l-katz-md-mph-4798667

About the Guest:
David L. Katz, MD, is a specialist in Internal Medicine, Preventive Medicine/Public Health, and Lifestyle Medicine – globally recognized for expertise in chronic disease prevention, health promotion, and nutrition. He has roughly 250 peer-reviewed publications and has authored 19 books.

In this episode of Analyzing Healthcare, host Roy Bejarano sits down with Anthony Milonas, CEO of Ascend Aesthetic Partners, to discuss the evolution of plastic surgery, medical aesthetics, and healthcare leadership in the private equity-backed MSO space. As one of the largest national plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine platforms, Ascend Aesthetic is transforming the industry through physician-led growth, data-driven decision-making, and patient-focused innovations.

Anthony shares healthcare industry insights on operational excellence, patient acquisition strategies, digital marketing innovations, physician recruitment, and AI in healthcare. He also explores the synergy between Med Spa and plastic surgery services, the importance of patient engagement, and how Ascend is reshaping the future of aesthetic healthcare through strategic partnerships and technology.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] Introduction to the podcast and guest, Anthony Milonas, CEO of Ascend Aesthetic Partners

• [02:00] The journey from healthcare distribution to leading a national plastic surgery MSO

• [06:30] Why private equity is fueling the transformation of plastic surgery and Med Spa practices

• [12:00] Patient demographics: Understanding the 35-65 age group and the rise of younger Med Spa clients

• [18:00] The role of data analytics, AI, and digital marketing in scaling aesthetic healthcare

• [24:30] Why traditional plastic surgery practices struggle with marketing and how Ascend is fixing it

• [30:00] Med Spa and Plastic Surgery: Are patient acquisition costs decreasing with integrated services?

• [40:00] Recruiting challenges in plastic surgery: How Ascend is attracting top surgeons with partnership models

• [50:00] AI, predictive analytics, and the future of patient experience and healthcare trends in aesthetics

• Plastic Surgery is Entering a New Era of Consolidation. With private equity investment and physician-led MSOs, the industry is shifting from independent practices to scalable, tech-enabled platforms.

• Data & AI Will Define the Future of Aesthetics. Advanced analytics, AI, and predictive modeling will drive marketing, patient engagement, and clinical decision-making for plastic surgery and Med Spa businesses.

• The Synergy Between Plastic Surgery & Med Spa is Powerful. While anecdotal evidence suggests cross-referrals reduce patient acquisition costs, Ascend Aesthetic is working on data-driven proof to quantify the impact.

• Recruitment & Retention in Plastic Surgery Requires a New Model. Competitive compensation, student loan support, and clear partnership pathways are key to attracting top talent in aesthetic medicine.

Resources:

Website: https://www.ascendaestheticpartners.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony1care/

About the Guest:
Anthony Milonas is the CEO of Ascend Aesthetics Partners, a company involved in the aesthetics industry, particularly focusing on medical aesthetics and skincare. Ascend Aesthetics Partners partners with practices in the aesthetic sector to help them grow and optimize their operations. Under Milonas's leadership, the company seeks to leverage expertise and resources to enhance service offerings and operational efficiency for its network of medical aesthetic practices.

Milonas has extensive experience in leadership roles, particularly in areas like healthcare and business development. His background includes working in senior positions in various healthcare-related companies, with a focus on driving growth, scaling businesses, and improving patient outcomes.

Healthcare, Healthcare Leadership, Healthcare Trends, Roy Bejarano, Healthcare Innovations, Healthcare Industry Insights, Plastic Surgery, Aesthetic Medicine, Med Spa, Patient Experience, Medical Marketing, Anthony Milonas, Ascend Aesthetic Partners,

In this episode of Analyzing Healthcare, host Roy Bejarano sits down with Anthony Milonas, CEO of Ascend Aesthetic Partners, to discuss the evolution of plastic surgery, medical aesthetics, and healthcare leadership in the private equity-backed MSO space. As one of the largest national plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine platforms, Ascend Aesthetic is transforming the industry through physician-led growth, data-driven decision-making, and patient-focused innovations.

Anthony shares healthcare industry insights on operational excellence, patient acquisition strategies, digital marketing innovations, physician recruitment, and AI in healthcare. He also explores the synergy between Med Spa and plastic surgery services, the importance of patient engagement, and how Ascend is reshaping the future of aesthetic healthcare through strategic partnerships and technology.

• [00:00] Introduction to the podcast and guest, Anthony Milonas, CEO of Ascend Aesthetic Partners
• [02:00] The journey from healthcare distribution to leading a national plastic surgery MSO
• [06:30] Why private equity is fueling the transformation of plastic surgery and Med Spa practices
• [12:00] Patient demographics: Understanding the 35-65 age group and the rise of younger Med Spa clients
• [18:00] The role of data analytics, AI, and digital marketing in scaling aesthetic healthcare
• [24:30] Why traditional plastic surgery practices struggle with marketing and how Ascend is fixing it
• [30:00] Med Spa and Plastic Surgery: Are patient acquisition costs decreasing with integrated services?
• [40:00] Recruiting challenges in plastic surgery: How Ascend is attracting top surgeons with partnership models
• [50:00] AI, predictive analytics, and the future of patient experience and healthcare trends in aesthetics
• [1:00:00] Looking ahead: Where is the plastic surgery and Med Spa industry heading in the next 5 years?

• Plastic Surgery is Entering a New Era of Consolidation. With private equity investment and physician-led MSOs, the industry is shifting from independent practices to scalable, tech-enabled platforms.
• Data & AI Will Define the Future of Aesthetics. Advanced analytics, AI, and predictive modeling will drive marketing, patient engagement, and clinical decision-making for plastic surgery and Med Spa businesses.
• The Synergy Between Plastic Surgery & Med Spa is Powerful. While anecdotal evidence suggests cross-referrals reduce patient acquisition costs, Ascend Aesthetic is working on data-driven proof to quantify the impact.
• Recruitment & Retention in Plastic Surgery Requires a New Model. Competitive compensation, student loan support, and clear partnership pathways are key to attracting top talent in aesthetic medicine.

Resources:

Website: https://www.ascendaestheticpartners.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony1care/

About the Guest:

Anthony Milonas is the CEO of Ascend Aesthetics Partners, a company involved in the aesthetics industry, particularly focusing on medical aesthetics and skincare. Ascend Aesthetics Partners partners with practices in the aesthetic sector to help them grow and optimize their operations. Under Milonas's leadership, the company seeks to leverage expertise and resources to enhance service offerings and operational efficiency for its network of medical aesthetic practices.

Milonas has extensive experience in leadership roles, particularly in areas like healthcare and business development. His background includes working in senior positions in various healthcare-related companies, with a focus on driving growth, scaling businesses, and improving patient outcomes.

Ascend Aesthetics Partners is part of a broader trend in the aesthetics industry, where private equity and strategic partnerships help smaller aesthetic practices thrive by providing access to resources, marketing, and operational support.

Healthcare, Healthcare Leadership, Healthcare Trends, Roy Bejarano, Healthcare Innovations, Healthcare Industry Insights, Plastic Surgery, Aesthetic Medicine, Med Spa, Patient Experience, Medical Marketing, Anthony Milonas, Ascend Aesthetic Partners,

Host Roy Bejarano converses with Mark Cuban about the complexities and misconceptions surrounding the U.S. healthcare system. They discuss issues like the inefficiencies in patient care, the challenges with the current payment structures, and the scarcity of basic health data transparency. Cuban shares insights on the potential for innovation within the healthcare system, his work with Cost Plus Drugs, and the concept of single-payer systems. The discussion also touches on healthcare education, administrative costs, and the influence of economic incentives on health outcomes. Cuban emphasizes the need for transparent healthcare contracts and ownership of claims data to drive better health outcomes and foster efficient markets.

IN THIS EPISODE:

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

About the Guest:

Mark Cuban, former Dallas Mavericks majority owner, former Shark, and more recently co-founder of Cost Plus Drugs, a company with a mission to transform the US drug market.

U.S. healthcare, Healthcare reform, Transparency in healthcare, Mark Cuban, Cost Plus Drugs, Self-insured employers, Healthcare innovation, Health insurance, Health disparities, Healthcare economics Roy Bejarano, Mark Cuban,

In this compelling episode of Analyzing Healthcare, host Roy Bejarano sits down with Web Golinkin, a healthcare entrepreneur, thought leader, and author, to explore the myths, realities, and complexities of the U.S. healthcare system. They discuss whether U.S. healthcare is truly broken, the role of profit in healthcare, and how healthcare innovations and market forces are shaping the industry.

The conversation dives into healthcare policy, corporate consolidation, hospital pricing, drug costs, and the blurred lines between payers and providers. Web Golinkin also shares insights from his book Here Be Dragons and his experience building healthcare delivery businesses that focus on accessibility, affordability, and consumer convenience.

• [00:00] Introduction to the podcast and guest, Web Golinkin
• [02:00] The U.S. healthcare system: Is it truly broken, or is that a media-driven narrative?
• [06:30] The role of profit in healthcare: Does capitalism drive innovation or inflate costs?
• [12:00] Retail medicine & urgent care: How healthcare delivery is evolving
• [18:00] Payers vs. Providers: The battle for control over healthcare economics
• [24:30] The real drivers of high healthcare costs: PBMs, hospital pricing, and pharmaceutical monopolies
• [30:00] How does the U.S. compare to other healthcare systems worldwide?
• [40:00] Medicare sustainability: Myth or reality?
• [50:00] The impact of AI, data, and technology on healthcare innovation
• [1:00:00] The assassination of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO: What does public reaction say about trust in the system?
• [1:15:00] The future of U.S. healthcare: What needs to change, and what is already improving?

• U.S. Healthcare is NOT broken, but it is evolving. The headlines paint an overly dramatic picture, but in reality, the system has bent the cost curve, leading to slower healthcare inflation and major innovations in care delivery.
• Market forces and competition drive innovation, but monopolies and inefficiencies create cost problems. The biggest pricing issues stem from pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), hospital consolidation, and drug pricing strategies rather than capitalism itself.
• Medicare is not bankrupt, but it does require continuous reform. While Medicare Advantage, DRGs, and value-based care have helped improve efficiency, ongoing adjustments are needed to ensure long-term financial stability.
• Healthcare narratives in media and politics oversimplify complex issues. The conversation around U.S. healthcare spending, quality, and access is often distorted, leading to public distrust in the system and a misguided push for drastic reform.

Resources:

Website: https://webgolinkin.c

om/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/web-golinkin-19195b26/

About the Guest

Web Golinkin has focused his career on making health information and care more accessible and affordable. He has done this as CEO of five companies over the past 35 years, including three he co-founded.

These companies include the largest cable TV network devoted to health (America’s Health Network), one of the nation’s largest operators of retail-based clinics (RediClinic), a leading population health management company (Health Dialog), and one of the nation’s largest operators of urgent care clinics (FastMed). Web also co- founded the Convenient Care Association and served as its Chair for many years. He has been widely covered in the national media and has spoken at numerous healthcare conferences.

A magna cum laude graduate of Harvard, Web grew up in New York City and Long Island but has lived in Houston since 1988, so he is almost a Texan. A longtime runner and fitness enthusiast, Web enjoys tennis and golf—as long as he can walk and carry his bag. Web has been married to the same extraordinary woman for 39 years, and they have two amazing sons who make him proud every day.

Healthcare, Healthcare Leadership, Healthcare Trends, Roy Bejarano, Healthcare Innovations, Healthcare Industry Insights, U.S. Healthcare Policy, Public Health, Health System Reform, Medical Innovation, Healthcare Economics,

In this compelling episode of Analyzing Healthcare, host Roy Bejarano sits down with Web Golinkin, a healthcare entrepreneur, thought leader, and author, to explore the myths, realities, and complexities of the U.S. healthcare system. They discuss whether U.S. healthcare is truly broken, the role of profit in healthcare, and how healthcare innovations and market forces are shaping the industry.

The conversation dives into healthcare policy, corporate consolidation, hospital pricing, drug costs, and the blurred lines between payers and providers. Web Golinkin also shares insights from his book Here Be Dragons and his experience building healthcare delivery businesses that focus on accessibility, affordability, and consumer convenience.

Timestamps:

Key Takeaways:

Resources:

Website: https://webgolinkin.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/web-golinkin-19195b26/

About the Guest

Web Golinkin has focused his career on making health information and care more accessible and affordable. He has done this as CEO of five companies over the past 35 years, including three he co-founded.

These companies include the largest cable TV network devoted to health (America’s Health Network), one of the nation’s largest operators of retail-based clinics (RediClinic), a leading population health management company (Health Dialog), and one of the nation’s largest operators of urgent care clinics (FastMed). Web also co- founded the Convenient Care Association and served as its Chair for many years. He has been widely covered in the national media and has spoken at numerous healthcare conferences.

Healthcare, Healthcare Leadership, Healthcare Trends, Roy Bejarano, Healthcare Innovations, Healthcare Industry Insights, U.S. Healthcare Policy, Public Health, Health System Reform, Medical Innovation, Healthcare Economics,