Season 2

Dec. 28, 2021

The Politics of Healthcare in 2022

For the chronic disease community, 2022 is set to be a major year of health policy. On this episode, Republican and Democrat political experts weigh in on what’s on the horizon for healthcare policies in the new year. Matt Rodriguez, …

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Dec. 21, 2021

Non-Medical Switching Hurts Patients

A doctor knows their patients’ needs best. But too often, insurance gets in the way. In an effort to lower costs, insurers sometimes force stable patients off of prescribed medication to a cheaper option. It’s called non-medical switching, and can...

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Dec. 17, 2021

How to Fight an Unfair Medical Bill

Have you received an unfair medical bill? You’re not alone. Many patients have faced high bills that are simply incorrect, or even predatory. But let’s face it, even understanding complex and confusing bills is a huge challenge. Patients Rising...

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Dec. 10, 2021

Rare Disease + the Fight for Funding

Today’s medical research and development creates the cures of tomorrow. But it requires immense amounts of funding to develop safe and effective drugs, treatments, and medical devices. In the rare disease space, funding is in short supply. Hear how...

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Dec. 3, 2021

Build Back Better + Chronic Illness

The Senate faces a race to the end of the year with a mountain of healthcare policies on its plate. Taking center stage is the House’s version of the Build Back Better plan. But it’s likely to undergo several changes, …

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Nov. 23, 2021

Holiday Special: How to Design Better Health Insurance

Half of individuals with health insurance are covered by their employer. If you are in this group, this episode is a must-listen. Learn how benefit design impacts your out-of-pocket expenses, your in-network providers, and the care available to you....

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Nov. 19, 2021

Antibiotics: What You Need to Know

Cold and flu season is here. If you are immunocompromised, respiratory infections pose an even greater risk. Antibiotics are a common go-to solution, but there’s a catch: the more we use them, the less effective they become. Dr. John Rex …

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Nov. 12, 2021

Red, White, and Vet Health

This Veteran’s Day, hosts Terry and Dr. Bob explore potential federal policies to improve healthcare for U.S. veterans. Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01) serves on the Veterans Affairs Committee and she joins the show to share what Congress can do to...

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Nov. 5, 2021

Patient Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill

Hosts Terry and Dr. Bob catch up with patient advocates following their virtual meetings on Capitol Hill. Patients Rising Now Patient Advocacy Day, held at the end of October, had patients and caregivers sharing their healthcare stories and asking for...

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Oct. 29, 2021

Biomarker Testing for Better Treatments

No two patients are the same, so often care teams can’t predict a treatment outcome from one patient to the next. That’s where biomarker testing comes in: the first step in personalized medicine. Biomarker tests help physicians identify...

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Oct. 22, 2021

The False Promise of Current Drug Pricing Reforms

Congress promises to lower drug prices. But patients won’t see any cost savings at the pharmacy counter. We sort through the facts and myths of drug pricing, how “middlemen” in the supply chain lead to higher costs and real solutions …

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Oct. 15, 2021

Chronic Disease + the Next Pandemic with Scott Gottlieb

COVID-19 continues to put the most vulnerable at risk, including the elderly and those with chronic illnesses. At its peak, it filled up hospitals and forced those seeking non-COVID care to postpone critical appointments. To protect patients and...

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Oct. 8, 2021

Congress + the Debate Right Now Over the Cures of Tomorrow

Patients depend on the research and development cycle to produce innovative, life saving medicines for rare and chronic conditions. But this medical innovation faces hurdles if Congress passes medicare price negotiations within the Build Back Better...

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Oct. 1, 2021

Patient How-To Guide: Health Policy Advocacy

Numerous health policies are under debate in Congress. As Senators and Representatives hash out drug pricing legislation and more, where are patients in the conversation? Advocate and former Ohio state legislator Randi Clites shares how patients can...

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Sept. 24, 2021

Biosimilars Can Lower Costs

As Congress continues to debate solutions to lower healthcare costs, biosimilars are a promising option. But uptake of biosimilars has been slow in the U.S., and few patients are seeing direct savings at the pharmacy counter. Brian Lehman, Director of...

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Sept. 17, 2021

Lawmakers and Chronic Disease Patients

President Biden outlines a new COVID-19 strategy, the U.S. Senate returns to Washington, and the House of Representatives debates prescription drug prices. Hosts Terry Wilcox and Dr. Bob Goldberg break down D.C.’s busy week and what chronic disease...

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Sept. 10, 2021

Direct Primary Care: Can Subscription Models Save You Money?

Want greater access to your doctor at a lower price? It’s possible through direct primary care. This healthcare solution allows patients to develop personal relationships with their doctors and receive care quicker and cheaper. Three physicians...

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Sept. 3, 2021

Ovarian Cancer: What Women Need Congress to Do

What can Congress do to aid in the fight against ovarian cancer? If reauthorized, Johanna’s Law would increase funding for ovarian cancer education and awareness programs. Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance’s VP of Policy, Chad Ramsey,...

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Aug. 27, 2021

Pediatrician on Delta + Back to School

Kids across the country are headed back to school. But as the Delta variant spreads, what should families living with chronic disease know to stay healthy and safe? Pediatrician Dr. Marlene Wust-Smith gives a back-to-school c...

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Aug. 20, 2021

How Drug Patents Work

What’s the purpose of a patent? In the pharmaceutical industry, it helps manufacturers reinvest in new research and development to improve upon treatments and drugs. It’s a key part of the cycle of developing new treatments. ...

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Aug. 13, 2021

Rising Costs of Health Insurance

Premiums, deductibles, and copays continue to rise as insurance companies grow fat through mergers and monopolies. Host Terry Wilcox speaks with former insurance executive-turned-advocate Wendell Potter. Together, they explor...

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Aug. 6, 2021

Pink Socks + Accelerated Approval for Drugs

The Delta variant, a breakdown of the FDA’s accelerated approval process, and how pink socks are bringing together patient advocacy groups. Hosts Dr. Bob Goldberg and guest host Kate Pecora dive into the news of the week, inc...

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July 30, 2021

Balanced Approach to Opioids

Opioid overdoses are rising as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. In 2020, overdose deaths rose by 30%. However, many chronic disease patients rely on prescription opioids for their healthcare regimen. We examine a balanced pol...

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July 23, 2021

Alzheimer’s Drug Debate

The high price tag for a new Alzheimer’s drug has fueled the ongoing drug price debate. But will patients really pay sticker price? (Spoiler alert: No!). Co-host Dr. Bob Goldberg explains the research/value assessment of the ...

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July 16, 2021

Take Control of Your Health Data

Access to all of your health data - MRIs, screenings, and lab results - could be right at your fingertips. COVID-19 put healthcare tech companies into high gear to deliver health data to patients. The end result? Empowered pa...

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July 9, 2021

Is Your Medical Equipment Safe?

Patients depend on safety and accuracy of medical equipment. If they’re improperly repaired, it could derail a patient’s healthcare journey and risk their health and safety. The Right to Repair Act aims to expedite medical de...

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July 2, 2021

Legal Issues with Cancer

Doctor’s visits, tests, procedures and therapies are just one part of a healthcare journey. Knowing and understanding the laws that govern and protect your right to work, along with health insurance coverage and reimbursement...

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June 25, 2021

Crash Course: FDA Advisory Committees

Drama continues to unfold following the FDA’s controversial approval of a new Alzhiemer’s treatment. Members of the FDA’s advisory committee voted against approval, and some members resigned in protest. But how does this impa...

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June 18, 2021

Hope for Alzheimer’s Patients + Caregivers

A new FDA-approved drug for Alzheimer’s signals a breakthrough in innovation for patients and caregivers, but has raised doubts from some over the price tag and approval process. Confused about what all of this means for you?...

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June 11, 2021

How to Humanize Healthcare

Following a pandemic that exposed disparities, and failures to patients with chronic disease, now is the time for lawmakers and the industry in the U.S. to rethink its approach to healthcare. On this episode: how to create su...

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June 4, 2021

Don’t Be Fooled By Some Supplement Ads

Can you tell the difference between an advertising claim and research-backed statistics? For chronic disease patients who take supplements to manage their conditions, this is an ongoing problem. And the Food and Drug Administ...

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May 28, 2021

Looking for help with Allergies + Asthma?

More than 60 million Americans live with allergies or asthma. COVID-19 brought much needed attention to lung and respiratory challenges, but where do allergy and asthma patients go now in this emerging post-pandemic world? To...

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May 21, 2021

Fighting for Mental Health Help

Demands for mental and behavioral health services are on the rise. These services represented nearly half of all telehealth claims during the pandemic, but the digital divide and lack of in-network mental health providers cre...

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May 14, 2021

Patents and Accelerated Approval for Drugs

When it comes to saving a buck, rare and chronic disease patients are too often put on the chopping block. Accelerated approval drugs are key to treating life threatening diseases. So why is Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Acce...

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May 7, 2021

Don’t Stifle Medical Innovation!

Patients rely on access to a broad range of innovative and effective medications to find a treatment option that best suits them. But restrictive formularies and price caps could prevent patients from accessing newer medicati...

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April 30, 2021

Organ Transplants and Financial Strain

April is Donate Life Month, and we examine many challenges facing organ transplant recipients. Amidst the physical and emotional toll of surgery, many patients also have to juggle apartment searching, moving, and financing a ...

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April 23, 2021

Inside the FDA with Dr. Woodcock

The FDA’s Acting Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock brings listeners inside the FDA. While the agency’s hands are full with a global pandemic, the FDA is also still tasked with shepherding accelerated approvals for rare and chro...

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April 16, 2021

My Life is Worth It!

The most effective treatments are often out of reach for patients. Big news came from the FDA announcing the approval of CAR-T therapies for multiple myeloma patients, but drug assessments from third-party groups are concerni...

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April 9, 2021

Why Your Care Costs So Much

You may have seen Johns Hopkins Hospital surgeon Dr. Marty Makary all over the national news this week, and he also joins the Patients Rising Podcast to talk with us about the winners and losers in the healthcare system, why …

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April 2, 2021

Making Lupus Treatments Accessible

We conclude our series on lupus with a trip to the doctor’s office, where rheumatologist Dr. Mark Box delves into the clinical side of the disease. He explores dealing with insurance companies and preserving the doctor-patien...

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March 26, 2021

Living with Lupus

This week, the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) deliberates the fate of insurance coverage for patients with lupus. In this episode, Mollee Huffman shares her diagnosis of lupus, how it impacted her Navy care...

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March 19, 2021

Guide to Disability Claims

When a chronic condition prevents you from working, you might find yourself filling out a disability claim. But what happens when it’s denied? And how can you fight to receive your health benefits? All of this ties back to ER...

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March 12, 2021

How to Start Tiny Habits for Better Health

If you have trouble adhering to your medication regimen or know you need to eat healthier, but are overwhelmed, tiny habits may be your answer. Examining your small habits can help patients with chronic illness live healthi...

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March 5, 2021

New Efforts to Prevent Colon Cancer

COVID-19 has caused people to delay important cancer screenings and medical appointments. Coupled with the rising rates of colon cancer among younger adults, it’s clear the healthcare industry must change its approach to scre...

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Feb. 26, 2021

Barriers to Rare Disease Treatments

Rare Disease Day is February 28. New and exciting medical innovations and drug therapies for rare disease abound, but accessing those treatments is another challenge. Discriminatory healthcare metrics like quality-adjusted-li...

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Feb. 19, 2021

Promoting Diversity in Science

Minority communities are underrepresented in healthcare leadership roles. By dismantling systemic barriers, the entire healthcare industry can benefit from talented professionals, scientists, and researchers from diverse back...

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Feb. 12, 2021

How Prescription Apps Can Help You

Digital tech became a major healthcare tool during the pandemic. And AI-powered prescription drug apps are leading the charge in creating accessible and affordable medications. So how can these apps help patients take control...

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Feb. 5, 2021

Vaccines + Health Equity

Underserved communities are at higher risk for COVID, but they’re getting vaccinated at a slower pace. How do we correct a healthcare system that fails to serve all Americans? Dennis Johnson joins the show to share lessons le...

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Jan. 29, 2021

Medicare Drug Pricing in DC

Congress may soon revisit legislation to tackle the high costs of prescription drugs under Medicare. But drug pricing is never a simple fix. Guest Peter Pitts explains the ins and outs of drug pricing. Plus, Terry and Bob dis...

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Jan. 22, 2021

When Might You Get the COVID-19 Shot?

Vaccine distribution is off to a rocky start. While some states are exceeding expectations, others continue to lag behind. This week we grade America’s pandemic response to this point and vaccine distribution. Pandemic prepar...

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