Fixing Healthcare

In this special episode of Fixing Healthcare, hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr welcome Dr. Maria Ansari, CEO of The Permanente Medical Group, Northwest Permanente and Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group.

In this interview, Dr. Ansari offers a forward-looking perspective shaped by deep experience in value-based care and technological innovation. The conversation is part of Season 10’s focus on how technology—particularly generative AI—can reshape American medicine.

When asked about the three most transformative technologies of the next decade, Dr. Ansari reframes the question around three existential challenges in American healthcare: a shrinking clinical workforce, a rapidly aging population and the growing unaffordability of care. She then connects each challenge to a corresponding technological solution.

Throughout the interview, Dr. Ansari is careful to position AI as “augmented intelligence,” a tool to enhance, not replace, human judgment. Whether improving medical education, empowering patients or reshaping the future of chronic disease, she calls for bold leadership and rapid adoption.

“If you want to have happy patients, you also have to have happy doctors,” she says, making a strong case for technology that supports both.

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Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post FHC #177: Inside TPMG’s bold AI strategy with CEO Maria Ansari appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In this month’s Diving Deep episode of the Fixing Healthcare podcast, cohosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr tackle two major questions:

The conversation begins with a comparison of the first 100 days of each president’s time in office. Dr. Pearl contrasts Obama’s focus on expanding access through the ACA with Trump’s emphasis on cutting costs by reducing federal spending. With Trump is back in the White House, what can Americans expect going forward? Pearl offers a clear-eyed assessment, drawing on past behavior, current executive orders, outside-the-box health agency appointments and campaign promises to project where healthcare may be headed next.

In the second half of the show, the cohosts shift to what may seem like a more futuristic question: what will it mean when machines match or exceed doctors in clinical reasoning, diagnosis and decision-making? But as Pearl explains, the arrival of AGI isn’t decades away. It’s coming soon and will be understood as a milestone rather than a tool, one that fits into the exponential evolution of GenAI. Here, Pearl examines what systems and cultures need to change to prepare for this fast-approaching change in medicine.

Together, these stories raise urgent questions about what’s driving American healthcare: Is it politics or technological progress? Listen to the full episode to hear both conversations and decide for yourself.

HELPFUL LINKS

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Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of “ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine.” All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.

Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post FHC #176: What AGI means for medicine & what Trump means for healthcare appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In this episode of Medicine: The Truth, co-hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr unpack a troubling set of healthcare developments—from surging vaccine-preventable illnesses to steep hikes in drug costs and the looming threat of Medicaid cuts.

Measles cases have now topped 1,000, with Texas experiencing the worst outbreak since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. Meanwhile, other infectious diseases like pertussis and influenza are resurging. Dr. Pearl explains how falling vaccination rates could soon lead to tens of thousands of preventable deaths.

The episode also addresses the latest federal budget proposal, which calls for massive cuts to government health programs, even as the U.S. faces new public health crises. Drug prices, already soaring, are now subject to additional stress from rising tariffs, putting more lifesaving medications out of reach.

It’s not all bad news. A major new study suggests that shingles vaccination may reduce dementia risk by 20%, offering a powerful argument for broader preventive care. And despite rising costs, opioid-related deaths are dropping—thanks in part to expanded access to naloxone and other life-saving treatments.

Other key topics covered in this episode include:

Tune in as Dr. Pearl and Jeremy Corr bring clarity to the headlines and offer sharp insight into the policies, science and statistics shaping American healthcare.

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Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of the new book “ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine” about the impact of AI on the future of medicine. All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.

Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn

The post MTT #94: Measles, meds & misinformation: Can we still trust American science? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In this episode of Unfiltered, cohosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr are joined once again by cardiologist and physician wellness advocate Dr. Jonathan Fisher. The trio take an unfiltered look at physician burnout, asking whether the profession itself is pushing doctors to emotionally “split in two.”

The discussion covers a wide range of pressing issues, from declining reimbursements and ineffective wellness programs to the cultural expectation that doctors must suppress grief, frustration and empathy to survive the workday.

Dr. Fisher warns that this emotional compartmentalization resembles the plot of the dystopian show Severance, and he draws on both psychological research and personal experience to explain how it can corrode doctors’ professional fulfillment and personal lives.

Dr. Pearl counters with skepticism that systemic change will happen unless clinicians lead the charge, proposing a bold, clinician-run experiment in preventive care that could reshape incentives and eliminate bureaucratic friction.

For more, listen to the full episode and check out these helpful links:

‘Just One Heart’ (Jonathan Fisher’s newest book)

‘ChatGPT, MD’ (Robert Pearl’s newest book)

Monthly Musings on American Healthcare (Robert Pearl’s newsletter)

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Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple Podcasts or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post FHC #175: Burnout, Broken Systems & The Severed Self appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In the latest episode of Fixing Healthcare, hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr welcome Oliver Kharraz, founder and CEO of Zocdoc, for a conversation about the power of technology to eliminate one of medicine’s biggest pain points: access.

This interview, part of Season 10’s focus on transformative technology, spotlights Zocdoc’s role as a digital marketplace where patients can search for providers by specialty, insurance, availability and location. As Kharraz explains, Zocdoc aims to be the “connective tissue” of healthcare, streamlining care navigation while empowering both patients and providers.

Here are four key insights from the episode:

Kharraz has long championed patient-first thinking. This conversation not only explains how Zocdoc is improving access today, but where digital health innovation is headed next. Don’t miss it.

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Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post FHC #174: Zocdoc CEO says AI will cure healthcare’s scheduling chaos appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In this week’s Fixing Healthcare podcast, co-hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr flash back to a pivotal interview recorded in December 2021 with famed venture capitalist Vinod Khosla.

Season 10 of the show is dedicated to exploring how technology can reshape American medicine. What better way to reflect on the promises and pitfalls of healthcare innovation than by revisiting Khosla’s bold predictions—made a full year before the release of ChatGPT.

As an early investor in OpenAI and a tech visionary, Khosla discussed the transformative potential of AI, telemedicine and digital health platforms long before the current explosion of interest.

“The most expensive part of the system is expertise,” Khosla told listeners. “And expertise can relatively be tamed with technology and AI.”

In this flashback episode (#40 if you’re looking for the original airing), Khosla outlines how technology could bolster specialist access for rural communities, slash the cost of chronic disease care and eventually disrupt traditional hospital-centered healthcare systems.

Dr. Pearl and Jeremy Corr encourage listeners to pair this 2021 conversation with Khosla’s more recent appearance on the show (episode #153), offering an opportunity to compare past predictions with today’s emerging realities.

Helpful links:

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Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post FHC #173: Before ChatGPT, Vinod Khosla predicted healthcare’s AI revolution appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In this month’s Diving Deep episode of the Fixing Healthcare podcast, cohosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr tackle one of healthcare’s most misunderstood facts: nearly 91% of Americans receive some form of government healthcare assistance.

Whether your insurance comes through an employer, the online health insurance marketplace, Medicare or Medicaid, the government is footing part of the bill. But as federal debt surges and lawmakers search for places to cut spending, those subsidies—and your coverage—may be in jeopardy.

Dr. Pearl breaks down each of the five main ways the government subsidizes healthcare and explains why those programs are now in the political crosshairs. He also offers solutions to America’s spiraling healthcare costs, ones that go beyond cutting services.

Later in the episode, the focus turns to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the new Secretary of Health and Human Services, and what his policies might mean for the future of American medicine.

Kennedy has promised to address chronic disease, mental health and pandemic preparedness, but his vaccine skepticism and unscientific treatment suggestions could further undermine public trust and worsen health outcomes.

Click play to hear the full conversation or check out these useful links below.

HELPFUL LINKS

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Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of “ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine.” All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.

Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post FHC #172: 91% of Americans get subsidized healthcare. What if it vanishes? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In this episode of Medicine: The Truth, co-hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr examine the alarming spread of measles across 25 U.S. states (with outbreaks in six). The disease, as of this episode’s publication, has already led to 700 cases and the confirmed deaths of two unvaccinated children.

Meanwhile, healthcare costs have ballooned to $5.2 trillion, federal funding cuts are hampering outbreak response (as well as important scientific research), and Medicaid expansion under the ACA is facing serious threats.

Dr. Pearl discusses the broader implications of these events along with a host of key topics covered in this episode:

Tune in as Dr. Pearl and Jeremy Corr break down these pressing healthcare topics and explore what they mean for the future of American medicine.

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Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of the new book “ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine” about the impact of AI on the future of medicine. All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.

Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn

The post MTT #93: Measles death toll rises, healthcare spending hits $5.2 trillion appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In this lively episode of Unfiltered, cohosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr are joined once again by cardiologist and physician wellness advocate Dr. Jonathan Fisher. The trio takes an unexpected but fascinating journey into the symbolism, psychology and culture of physician attire—and what shifting trends reveal about the status of American medicine.

What starts as an observation about the absence of neckties at a medical conference quickly unspools a broader discussion about generational shifts, burnout, respect, identity and power within the profession. The conversation weaves together personal stories, data, sociological insights and policy-level implications, ultimately questioning whether the erosion of formality is a symptom—or potentially a cause—of deeper challenges facing clinicians today.

Key topics discussed in this episode include:

As always, the episode ends with a thoughtful patient-perspective question from Jeremy, diving into the nuances of patient comfort, demographics and the enduring importance of trust.

For more raw, unfiltered commentary, listen to the full episode and check out these helpful links:

‘Just One Heart’ (Jonathan Fisher’s newest book)

‘ChatGPT, MD’ (Robert Pearl’s newest book)

Monthly Musings on American Healthcare (Robert Pearl’s newsletter)

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Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple Podcasts or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post FHC #171: The doctor is in … Lululemon? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In a special episode of Fixing Healthcare, Jeremy Corr flips the script and interviews fellow cohost Dr. Robert Pearl, who shares his expert view on the three most important technologies shaping the future of American medicine.

This conversation is part of Season 10’s exploration of tech-enabled healthcare transformation, featuring CEOs and leaders of healthcare leaders at major tech companies like Nvidia, Google, Oracle, Microsoft and Hippocratic AI. The season has showcased how leaders in the field are approaching the digital revolution in medicine. Now, it’s Pearl’s turn to offer his unique perspective—nearly one year after the release of his bestselling book, ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine.

Pearl identifies three game-changing technologies:

Pearl calls these “the most significant breakthrough,” capable of offering patients real-time medical expertise and ushering in a new era of healthcare consumerism.

He shares several stories—including one about a CEO who used ChatGPT to identify his daughter’s rare illness in seconds—that illustrate the power of LLMs to close diagnostic gaps and empower patients with expertise in unprecedented ways.

Pearl describes telemedicine as a “complementor,” a technology that, when paired with another (in this case, generative AI), becomes far more powerful than either could be alone. While AI can monitor patients 24/7 and identify emerging health issues, only telemedicine can instantly connect those patients to a human clinician for evaluation and care.

“The synergy of the two will be capable of overcoming the limitations and challenges of both time and distance,” Pearl explains. Together, these complementors can deliver real-time, personalized care while reducing costs and expanding access, especially in underserved and rural communities.

Pearl introduces a new class of AI-powered assistants designed to manage chronic diseases, perform triage and monitor patients at home. These tools, built through “knowledge distillation” and trained on actual clinician-patient exchanges, could help prevent hundreds of thousands of heart attacks, strokes and other major complications from chronic disease every year.

Pearl also addresses concerns about bias, liability and job displacement. He argues that AI won’t replace doctors but will change their roles, reduce burnout and make healthcare more affordable for everyone.

Additionally, Pearl praises the foresight of prior Season 10 guests while also pointing out that most focused on today’s tools (like documentation automation) rather than imagining the radically different world five to 10 years from now. Pearl believes generative AI will go far beyond helping doctors with administrative tasks. It will empower patients, reduce costs improve outcomes, and shift the balance of power in healthcare.

Click play to hear this wide-ranging, insightful discussion about the digital future of medicine.

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Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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