In this episode of the Healthcare Nation Podcast, the focus is on the major shifts in U.S. healthcare, touching on policy, payers, and the delivery system. Joined by Emily Evans, Managing Director of Healthcare Policy at Hedgeye Risk Management, LLC, the discussion spans a wide array of topics including the pivotal role of direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical channels, structural changes within the healthcare system, and the financial implications for established health systems. Emily offers her insights on the influence of regulatory environments, demographic changes, the rise of digital health, and emerging trends in biotech and medical technology. Tune in to explore how these factors may shape the future of healthcare.

00:00 Introduction to Healthcare Nation Podcast

00:31 Meet Emily Evans: Healthcare Policy Expert

01:57 Macro-Level Shifts in US Healthcare

02:33 Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Trends

06:20 The Wellness Movement and Longevity

11:09 System-Level Effects of GLP-1 Drugs

14:44 Challenges for the Established Healthcare System

17:53 Public Health and Market Dynamics

23:30 The Role of Government in Healthcare Innovation

27:13 Memory Loss and Primary Care Challenges

28:03 Hormone Replacement Therapy Controversy

29:41 Statins and Medicare Quality Measures

31:17 Affordable Care Act Subsidies

34:40 Healthcare Policy and Market Dynamics

37:42 Innovation and Investment in Healthcare

42:16 Hospital Price Transparency

49:15 Looking Ahead to 2026