S3, Ep 6- Your Questions Answered: A Special Q&A Episode

This week, our hosts sit down for a special ‘mailbag episode’ to answer questions from our listeners. They are joined by the podcast’s producer, Ben Blanc, Manager of Programs and Special Projects at GHLF, who moderates the discussion. Our hosts cover a wide variety of topics, including everything from patient spendings to vaccines. Our hosts also share more about their advocacy work and the importance of providing a platform for patients to be heard. “What we're trying to do is convey information to the everyday patient who's looking for answers… And that's what we take very seriously,” says Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF. “Tell us your story and work with us to elevate the stories. We'll give you a megaphone. We'll make sure that legislators and folks that are at the tables of power… are going to hear your experience and hear you out for how their decisions impact your life, your care, and your health,” says Conner Mertens, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF. Among the highlights in this episode: 2:44: Dr. Popovian explains what the Mark Cuban Cost Plus pharmacies are and how patients can sometimes save money by paying for their pharmaceutical needs in cash instead of using their insurance cards 4:19: Dr. Popovian shares information on other similar pharmacies that are cash-based 5:23: Ali asks: “I hear that PBMs use the rebates to lower premiums. Is that true? Is that the reason why they don't want to share their rebates with patients?” 7:20: One major area of improvement when it comes to PBMs is transparency 8:24: Albert asks: “I have heard from health care professionals that natural immunity is far better than vaccination. Is that true?” 8:50: “The question is whether or not you should risk getting really sick or perhaps dying. And by taking the vaccine, you're avoiding that journey as a patient,” says Dr. Popovian 10:26: Dr. Popovian explains why the COVID vaccine is ineffective for some immunocompromised patients and why that should be a factor people in general should consider when debating on whether to get their COVID shot 11:48: Co-host Conner Mertens explains the importance of looking for verified and peer-reviewed health information as well as trusting scientists and finding the right patient community 13:32: Conner shares information on the importance of advocacy and how to get involved with GHLF’s 50-State Network: “Sign up, tell us your story, and work with us to elevate the stories. We'll give you a megaphone,” he says. More information here: www.50statenetwork.org 14:48: Dr. Popovian answers this recurring question asked by patients: Are biosimilars safe? 17:03: Dr. Popovian shares some final thoughts Contact Our Hosts Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: [email protected] Conner Mertens, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF: [email protected] We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to [email protected] Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.