On Background - A Healthcare Podcast

In this episode, hosts Stephen Parente and Thom Gunderson explore the complexities of the 340B drug pricing program, its origins, current challenges, and potential reforms. Guest expert Sayeh Nikpay from the University of Minnesota provides insights into how the program operates, its unintended consequences, and policy options for better transparency and effectiveness.

In this episode of On Background, host Stephen Parente conducts a roundtable with previous guests Marta Wosinska, Rena Conti, and Doug Holtz-Eakin on the current challenges, innovations, and future prospects in the healthcare marketplace, including drug pricing, insurance markets, and technological advancements like AI.

In this episode of On Background, we talk with Kenny White and explore the complexities of the US health insurance industry, the role of managed care, AI's potential in healthcare, and future policy directions, delving into cost management, risk analysis, and the sustainability of current models.

In this year-end review, hosts Stephen Parente, Thom Gunderson, and Matt Stoll discuss key topics covered throughout 2025 in the On Background podcast: the impact of AI, investment trends, market uncertainties, and the future of MedTech. They explore the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in healthcare, the need for clear direction in investment, and the importance of innovation in drug development. The conversation also touches on healthcare costs, consumer engagement, and the regulatory landscape, setting the stage for future discussions in the coming year.

In this episode of On Background, host Stephen Parente leads a conversation around the challenges and opportunities in health economic analysis, particularly focusing on the missing data that hinders optimal policy-making. The participants discuss the difficulties in accessing health data, the need for standardization, and the importance of linking health data with other social determinants. They also explore future directions for improving data transparency and the role of technology in facilitating better access to health information.

In this episode of the On Background podcast, host Steve Parente and former Deputy Secretary of HHS Eric Hargan discuss the current state of healthcare legislation, particularly focusing on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies and the implications of the recent government shutdown. The two explore the political dynamics surrounding the ACA, the impact of enhanced subsidies, and the potential future challenges in Congress. The conversation delves into the complexities of legislative processes, public perception, and the role of discharge petitions in shaping healthcare policy.

In this episode, the discussion revolves around the 340B Drug Pricing Program, its origins, current issues, and potential reforms. Rena Conti provides insights into how the program, initially designed to help underinsured patients, has expanded and been misused, leading to significant concerns about its effectiveness. The conversation also touches on emerging business models that exploit the program, legislative challenges, and the need for bipartisan support to address these issues. Ultimately, the episode emphasizes the importance of ensuring access to affordable healthcare for vulnerable populations.

In this episode of On Background, health policy professionals discuss the complexities of healthcare costs, innovations, and the evolution of payment mechanisms. Joe Antos shares insights on the inefficiencies in healthcare delivery, the impact of consumer demand, and the challenges of pharmaceutical pricing. The conversation also touches on the implications of employer-sponsored insurance and the future of drug pricing in the U.S. healthcare system.

In this episode, Marta Wosinska discusses the complexities of pharmaceutical quality oversight, focusing on the roles of the FDA and the differences in regulations between the US and EU. She highlights the importance of good manufacturing practices, the challenges faced by manufacturers, and the implications of cost-cutting on drug quality. The conversation also touches on the future of drug manufacturing regulations and the potential for increased oversight in response to supply chain issues.

In this episode, Tomas Philipson, a professor at the University of Chicago and former acting chair of the Council of Economic Advisors, alongside financial analyst Thom Gunderson and pharmaceutical expert Briana Mayer, discusses drug innovation, pricing policies, and the role of the FDA in the drug approval processes. Philipson shares insights on the impact of U.S. pharmaceutical spending on global health, critiques the Most Favored Nation pricing model, and emphasizes the importance of innovation in healthcare. The conversation also touches on the implications of the Inflation Reduction Act on drug development and the feedback from the pharmaceutical sector regarding recent policy changes.

In this episode, Tony Losasso, a professor of economics and Driehaus Fellow at Depaul University, discusses his experiences in public service, particularly his role in the Center for Program Integrity at CMS during the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. He shares insights on the challenges of government work, the importance of translating academic research into public understanding, and the role of pharmaceuticals in addressing obesity from his recent Wall Street Journal op-ed. 

In EP4, Bryana Meyer joins us to talk with Doug Holtz-Eakin, former CBO head and president of the American Action Forum. 

On this episode, Marta Wosinska of the Brookings Institution talks about drug shortages and the challenges of preventing them.

In EP2, we interview Karen Mandelbaum at Epstein Becker Green and discuss her work at CMS drafting privacy standards for the public health exchanges after the passage of the Affordable Care Act.

In the first episode of On Background, we talk to Paul Howard, former senior advisor to the commissioner of the FDA, about the developing role of AI in healthcare.