Medical Matters Podcast

In this episode of Medical Matters Podcast, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormick discuss the ongoing costs of healthcare.

Topics include the expenses, but also the business aspects: free-standing hospitals and practices began to be bought up under the belief that costs would come down. There is also the inflationary aspect, with pressure on healthcare providers to raise their prices in order to get better reimbursement from insurance companies.

There is also the issue of monopolies. A recent story in the Washington Post describes how hospitals under such collectives are driving up costs. Dr. McCormick also relates her own recent experiences. 

The subject also shifts to the potential for national, single-payer healthcare, with some examples of residents traveling to the US from Canada or other nations. Older residents appear to travel here more for specialized care.

In this episode of Medical Matters Podcast, the doctors discuss the strides science has made in the treatment of cancer. An overview of cancerous cells and tumors is provided, along with early treatments, of which there were few. 

There are four categories of cancer treatment. These methods include precision medicine, and personalized vaccines, radiotherapy, and diagnostics are also examined; the latter may further be assisted by Artificial Intelligence.

Recently, a new treatment for pancreatic cancer has been found to double survival time and can be found at Health.com. Another recent potential breakthrough came from research conducted at Cornell University.

Today's discussion will also demystify some of the concerns about cancer, its various forms, and the treatments now available. 

In this episode of the Medical Matters Podcast, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormick discuss the recent rise in cases of Ebola and Hantavirus -- the differences, symptoms, and treatments are considered.

The goal of this podcast is to provide background, historical context, and explain how the viruses are taking hold. Ebola is largely active in Central and West Africa, and cases may be tracked at this website -- as for Hantavirus, cases are seen in South Africa and South America, and may also be tracked.

Further, experts note that the US is likely not fully prepared to guard against an outbreak of either disease.

In this episode of "Medical Matters Podcast," Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormick discuss Prior Authorization, the process by which a healthcare provider must obtain approval from the insurance provider. The Cleveland Clinic outlines the full definition here.

Through experience, the doctors outline the process of prior authorization. They further cite the so-called "hidden" and administrative costs.

Season 5 of the Medical Matters Podcast opens with an examination of life expectancy in the United States. Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormick break down figures that confirm a record-high for both men and women in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released these numbers last week for the year 2024.

While deaths from illnesses such as coronavirus have decreased, there is also a strong decline in drug overdose deaths. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the US, followed by cancer and unintentional injuries.

The doctors also examine the availability of health insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid. Further, the continued increase of flu cases, including Influenza-A are discussed.

In this episode of Medical Matters Podcast, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormick discuss the potential for issues in the wake of the federal government shutdown. The doctors discuss the Affordable Care Act, benefits and drawbacks, along with the available providers and costs.

Medicare and Medicaid are also examined, and possible ways to make the programs more affordable and accessible to younger segments of the population.

In addition, a cautionary tale is offered about the dangers of not signing up for Social Security, Medicare and other available benefits. 

In this episode of the Medical Matters Podcast, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormick discuss the use of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare.

There are concerns that mechanized treatment and therapy, when devoid of the human element, could allow AI to make value judgments, potentially resulting in less-than-ideal outcomes. A recent study by Stanford University is referenced here.

Building on this, while the use of chatbots may be helpful for simple answers to questions or advice (as seen in recent TV commercials), the hosts point out that the nuances of patient treatment run much deeper. They also discuss mental health treatment, noting potential concerns that AI may not detect all the complexities involved.

Further evaluations of AI's potential issues are examined in this article from DPA International.

(Note: despite the ending of federal funding for expansion of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the service is still available, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in need, 988 is there.)

In this episode, the doctors discuss the availability of medical assistance, especially home care aid. 

Medicaid, the low rates offered, and the low rate of pay many home care professionals earn are among the topics, along with concerns about what assistance may remain for those in need, with Congress's passing of President Trump's tax and spending package.

In this episode of Medical Matters Podcast, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormick discuss the increase in Early Onset Cancer. Studies show on average there has been a one to two-percent increase in cancers diagnosed in adults aged 18 to 49. 

The doctors cite the changing manifestation of tumors, but also possible reasons, including lifestyle and environment. Reasons are examined in this article from UChicagoMedicine -- further, this recent examination of the issue by Yale Medicine offers evidence that cancers in younger people show some differences. 

Here, the American Cancer Society offers the ages for routine screening for several cancers.

Season 4 of "Medical Matters Podcast" opens 2025 with a discussion on processed foods, and what is in much of our foods. Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormick discuss the state of our food supply, and how the preservatives and additives can cause harm.

Many of these are in hundreds of everyday items, and the doctors discuss what these can do, and how to avoid them and move toward healthier eating.

A Harvard study from last year offers an in-depth study.