A Health Podyssey

What Most Favored Nation Drug Pricing Would Mean for the US

Health Affairs' Rob Lott interviews James Robinson of the University of California Berkeley about his recent paper exploring most favored nation drug pricing [https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.2025.01127?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=a+health+podyssey&utm_campaign=april+2026+issue], weighing its feasibility, likely effects on drug launch prices, and implications for global pharmaceutical innovation and investment. Order the April 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].

2027 Medicare Advantage Final Payment Rule: Key Changes Explained | David Meyers

On a special emergency pod episode of Health Affairs This Week coming to you on the A Health Podyssey feed, Health Affairs Publishing’s Jeff Byers welcomes Brown University's David Meyers to the pod to unpack the 2027 Medicare Advantage final payment rule, including the higher-than-anticipated rate increase, changes to risk adjustment models, what is V28, and the tradeoffs between market stability and long-term program sustainability. To view an Insider Cheat Sheet on the MA rule, purchase Insider [https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/he20260313.697167/full/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=this+week&utm_campaign=insidermarketing&utm_content=eventspecific]. On April 20th, join us for our upcoming Insider exclusive event [https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/he20260313.697167/full/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=this+week&utm_campaign=insidermarketing&utm_content=eventspecific] exploring the evolution of the Medicare Advantage market featuring Sachin Jain, David Meyers, and Grace Mackleby. Related Links: * Assessing Recent Regulatory Action On Medicare Advantage [https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.2025.01127?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=this+week&utm_campaign=forefront] (Health Affairs Forefront)

Ashish Jha on Public Health Policy, Affordability & Preparedness

Health Affairs Publishing's Rob Lott interviews Dr. Ashish Jha about the future of public health education, the growing threat of engineered pathogens and building a bio-intelligence company, and practical approaches to slowing health care spending while preserving access and innovation.

What Rising Disenrollment Rates Reveal About Medicare Advantage

Health Affairs' Rob Lott interviews Em Balkan of Brown University about their recent paper showing that rapid disenrollment from Medicare Advantage plans tripled from 2017 to 2022 [https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.2025.01082?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=a+health+podyssey&utm_campaign=march+2026+issue], with higher rates among dual‑eligible beneficiaries and certain racial and ethnic groups  — raising questions about how well plans are meeting beneficiaries’ needs. Order the March 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].

Medicare, Disability Insurance & Mortality During A Two-Year Waiting Period

Health Affairs' Rob Lott interviews David Powell of the University of Pennsylvania about his recent paper exploring new research showing SSDI beneficiaries face significantly elevated mortality [https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.2025.00592?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=a+health+podyssey&utm_campaign=march+2026+issue] during the mandatory two‑year waiting period for Medicare for such beneficiaries, why the waiting period exists, how it affects access to care, and what policy options could better serve this vulnerable population. Order the March 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]. Currently, more than 70 percent of our content is freely available - and we'd like to keep it that way. With your support [https://www.healthaffairs.org/membership?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=a+health+podyssey&utm_campaign=insider], we can continue to keep our digital publication Forefront and podcast for everyone.