The COVID-19 pandemic has drawn attention to long-standing health inequities. Data show that Hispanic and Black people are about twice as likely to die from COVID-19 as their white counterparts . This is because of structural inequalities, racial bias or inequitable access to healthcare. Oftentimes, healthcare resources are inadequate in Black neighborhoods because of a history of redlining and other discriminatory practices. As the healthcare industry continues to adjust to a new, post-COVID-19 normal, there has been significant momentum behind addressing health equity challenges. With this backdrop, Humana, one of the country’s largest insurers, hired its first chief health equity officer in 2021: J. Nwando Olayiwola, M.D. Fierce Healthcare senior editor Paige Minemyer talks with Olayiwola about health equity and whether there is a risk the momentum around this issue could slow.  

Also on the podcast, we'll discuss Medicare and the future of telehealth flexibilities. Congress is returning from its monthlong August recess and has a big to-do list. To run down some of the biggest issues facing physicians in Congress for the rest of the year, reporter Robert King talked with Anders Gilberg, the senior vice president of government affairs for the Medical Group Management Association.

To learn more about topics in this episode: 

• Congress is back. Here are 4 things to watch out for, from postponing pay cuts to mental health reform
• Hospitals to Congress: Clock ticking to renew key rural hospital pay programs
• House bill aims to get rid of 2023 Medicare cuts to physicians
• Providers press CMS to pull back 4.5% doc pay cut, call for tweaks to ACO reforms
• ViVE 2022: How UnitedHealth, Humana are thinking about 'techquity'
• Fierce Healthcare's 2021 Most Influential Minority Executives in Healthcare
• Humana study highlights prevalence of social needs in MA before COVID
• Chutes & Ladders—Humana names first chief health equity officer; Providence promotes execs in integration strategy
• AHIP 2022: How payers could lead the charge in addressing health equity

Podnosis is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey with managing editor Querida Anderson and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The stories are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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