Ep. 179 - Healthcare Fraud, Medicaid Laundering & Free-Market Fixes w/Dr. Brian Blase

Andrew Langer interviews Dr. Brian Blase, President and Founder of Paragon Health Institute, a leading conservative healthcare think tank focused on market-based reforms.  They dive into America’s healthcare crisis: massive fraud in Medicaid ($200B+ annual waste via provider taxes and accounting gimmicks) and Obamacare subsidies ($30B+ in improper payments from zero-premium plans, ghost enrollees, broker incentives). Brian explains how government subsidies inflate demand while price controls and regulations restrict supply—driving hospital prices 3x faster than inflation since 2000 and crowding ERs with non-emergent care.  The conversation covers primary care shortages (Medicare payment distortions favoring specialists), the myth of “free” coverage, prescription drug pricing (retrospective vs. prospective Most Favored Nation), and solutions: deregulate to expand choices (HSAs, catastrophic plans, nurse practitioners, immigration for doctors), end corporate welfare in Medicaid, and prioritize patient-driven innovation over political allocation.  Perfect for policymakers, patients, and anyone frustrated with high costs and bureaucracy. Visit paragoninstitute.org for research and newsletters. Follow @Brian_Blase on X. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify. Follow us on X @TheLunchHourPod, TikTok, and more! 00:00:04 - Welcome to Federal Newswire Lunch Hour Podcast 00:00:14 - Host Andrew Langer Opening & Social Plugs 00:01:19 - Guest Intro: Dr. Brian Blase & Paragon Health Institute 00:02:11 - Paragon’s Mission: Free-Market Health Policy Focus 00:03:15 - Healthcare vs. Insurance vs. Health Distinctions 00:04:04 - Supply/Demand Distortions & Hospital Price Inflation 00:06:09 - Primary Care Shortage & Medicare Payment Bias 00:07:17 - Congressional Testimony on Subsidy Enhancements 00:08:32 - Expanding Choices: HSAs, Catastrophic Plans, Deregulation 00:10:05 - ACA Outcomes: Medicaid Expansion & ER Overuse 00:11:04 - Subsidies Drive Higher Prices & Deficits 00:12:22 - Medicaid as Corporate Welfare: Provider Tax Schemes 00:13:33 - Medicaid Fraud Scale: ~$200B Annual Waste 00:15:00 - Obamacare Subsidy Fraud: Zero-Premium Incentives 00:16:00 - Broker Schemes & Automatic Enrollment Abuse 00:17:27 - Non-Utilization Rates & Improper Income Claims 00:19:31 - Prescription Drugs: Generics vs. Brand Pricing 00:20:47 - Most Favored Nation: Retrospective vs. Prospective 00:22:00 - Closing Thoughts on Market Innovation 00:29:38 - How to Follow Paragon & Brian Blase 00:30:16 - Episode Outro & Thanks Follow us on social mediaX: @TheLunchHourPodInstagram: the_lunchhour_podLinkedIn: Lunch Hour PodcastTikTok: lunchhourpod Find more at Washington SignalYour source for policy, national security, and investigative journalism.https://washingtonsignal.com/