A Health Podyssey

Why Medicare’s Hospital Wage Index Exceptions Jumped 60%

Health Affairs Publishing’s Rob Lott speaks to Geoffrey Hoffman of the University of Michigan about his recent paper exploring the structure of Medicare’s hospital wage index [https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2025.01378?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=a+health+podyssey&utm_campaign=june+2026+issue] and discusses the growth of exceptions over time, exploring their implications for how the system functions and whether it meets its intended policy objectives. Order the June 2026 issue of Health Affairs [https://www.pubservice.com/backissue/subbi.aspx?CO=PJ&PC=HR&BI=HRI&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=A+health+podyssey]. Sign up for our free Health Affairs newsletters [https://share.hsforms.com/26dGfZSq8SjaPUznLYa3kfQnnawj] to stay up to date on health policy news and analysis.

Private Equity in Primary Care: Costs, Care, and Impact

Health Affairs Publishing’s Rob Lott speaks to Yashaswini Singh of Brown University about her recent paper that explores how private equity acquisitions in primary care [https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2025.01703?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=a+health+podyssey&utm_campaign=june+2026+issue] are associated with changes in utilization, spending, and workforce composition. Order the June 2026 issue of Health Affairs [https://www.pubservice.com/backissue/subbi.aspx?CO=PJ&PC=HR&BI=HRI&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=A+health+podyssey]. Sign up for our free Health Affairs newsletters [https://share.hsforms.com/26dGfZSq8SjaPUznLYa3kfQnnawj] to stay up to date on health policy news and analysis.

Inside CVS Caremark: The Role of PBMs in Drug Costs & Access | SPONSORED

THIS SPONSORED PODCAST EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY CVS HEALTH. In this sponsored episode, James Margiotta, Chief Growth Officer at CVS Caremark, joins Health Affairs Publishing's Jessica Bylander to unpack the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), their impact on prescription drug costs, and the value PBMs bring to the health care system. James has nearly 35 years of experience driving innovation, operational excellence, and enterprise value across the healthcare system. In his current role, James leads the team responsible for partnering with clients to identify their unique needs and bringing forward strategic solutions to meet their objectives. Throughout his career at CVS Health, James has scaled businesses across CVS Caremark, CVS Accountable Care, Minute Clinic, Aetna, and CVS Pharmacy — each with its own challenges, cultures, and market dynamics. James and Jessica's conversation explores how PBMs help employers, health plans, governments, and unions manage rising prescription drug costs while balancing affordability, transparency, and member experience. James explains CVS Caremark’s approach to controlling costs, dives into the growing demands for price transparency, and how artificial intelligence may transform pharmacy benefits and member navigation services.

Inside CMS: How Medicare Innovation Models Are Working to Lower Costs & Scale Digital Health

Health Affairs Publishing’s Rob Lott speaks to Abe Sutton, Director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, about the ACCESS model and broader efforts to test payment and delivery reforms aimed at improving affordability, expanding digital health, and generating real-world evidence in Medicare. Sign up for our free Health Affairs newsletters [https://share.hsforms.com/26dGfZSq8SjaPUznLYa3kfQnnawj] to stay up to date on health policy news and analysis.

Policy Changes Reshaping Family Caregiving

Welcome to a new, limited podcast series exploring major policy changes affecting older adults. This episode is part of our Age-Friendly Health [https://www.healthaffairs.org/topic/pt_2503] series, which explores topics at the intersection of aging, health, health care, and health policy. In our third and final episode for the series in 2026, host Katherine Ornstein welcomes Alison Barkoff of George Washington University to the program to discuss the rising economic and social importance of family caregiving, recent federal policy shifts affecting Medicaid and caregiver programs, and new interventions at the state and private‑sector levels. Support for the Age-Friendly Health series is provided by The John A. Hartford Foundation. Related Links: * Reflections On Caregiving Policy: Progress, Challenges, And Opportunities [https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/reflections-caregiving-policy-progress-challenges-and-opportunities] (Health Affairs Forefront) * History Repeats? Faced With Medicaid Cuts, States Reduced Support For Older Adults And Disabled People [https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/history-repeats-faced-medicaid-cuts-states-reduced-support-older-adults-and-disabled] (Health Affairs Forefront) * Long Term Services and Supports Initiative [https://exploreltssinitiatives.org/] * National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers [https://eadn-wc03-8290287.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/NatlStrategyToSupportFamilyCaregivers2022.pdf] * Nation Alliance for Caregiving's Caregiver Nation Coalition [https://www.caregivernationcoalition.org/]