Medicare, Money, and Misconceptions: A Healthcare Economist's Take with Dr. Lisa Grabert

What if the Medicare policies we've trusted for decades are actually widening gaps instead of closing them? In this episode of The Leadership Lab with Asbel Montes, healthcare economist Dr. Lisa Grabert joins us to break down the real trade-offs shaping Medicare Advantage, traditional Medicare, and telehealth. Dr. Grabert reveals why beneficiaries' choices are so predictable, how Congressional investments don't always deliver expected results, and why hospitals continue to dominate funding despite decades of failed "fixes." She also unpacks her vision for redirecting dollars toward community-based care like EMS, federally qualified health centers, and mental health providers. Here's what you'll take away: ✅ Why Medicare Advantage adapted to telehealth faster—without new funding ✅ How income, race, and education shape Medicare coverage choices ✅ The hidden costs of Medicare Advantage emergency services ✅ Why hospital consolidation keeps draining resources from communities ✅ A smarter way to use the new Rural Stabilization Fund ✅ The urgent need for better public education and patient decision tools ✅ What "radical incrementalism" means for Medicare's future If you've ever wondered why the U.S. spends so much but still leaves so many behind, this conversation will challenge assumptions—and offer practical paths forward. Subscribe to The Leadership Lab with Asbel Montes and share this episode with a colleague who's rethinking healthcare's future. Links: Asbel Montes LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/asbel-montes-31027634 Asbel Montes Book (In Plain Sight): https://asbelmontes.com/store/ Asbel Montes Website: https://asbelmontes.com/    Dr. Lisa Grabert LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-lisa-grabert-78ab527/ Solutions Group Services: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/solutionsgroupservices  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/solution_sgroup/  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/solutionsgroupservices  Website -  ​​https://www.solutionsgroup.com/