Health Policy Podcast

Mental Health Reform Advocate Ellen Lubensky: "Ask Questions" on Psychiatric Medications and Informed Consent

On the Health Policy Podcast, attorney and mental health reform advocate Ellen Lubensky discusses her concerns about the use of psychiatric medications and the lack of informed consent in mental health care. Drawing from personal experience, she argues that patients are often prescribed medications during brief appointments without a full understanding of potential risks, including dependency and withdrawal effects. Lubensky calls for greater transparency from physicians, longer consultation times, and systemic changes in funding that would prioritize therapy and patient education before medication. She also highlights barriers within insurance and disability systems that may discourage alternative treatments. Her core message to listeners is to advocate for themselves, ask questions, and seek providers who take the time to explain treatment options thoroughly.

Sleep as Policy: Amy Sapola on Why Teen Sleep Deprivation Is a National Health Crisis

In this episode of the Health Policy Podcast, clinical pharmacist and MAHA Report contributor Amy Sapola discusses the growing recognition of sleep deprivation among adolescents as a structural public health issue. She explains how early school start times conflict with teenage circadian rhythms, contributing to widespread sleep deficits that impact academic performance, mental health, immune function, and even traffic safety. Sapola outlines research showing that modest delays in school start times can significantly improve outcomes, while also addressing the downstream effects of poor sleep, including increased reliance on caffeine and energy drinks. The conversation explores the balance between policy solutions and personal responsibility, highlighting practical steps families can take around screen use, nutrition, and activity. Sapola argues that sleep should be treated as a foundational pillar of health policy, with growing attention at the national level through initiatives like the MAHA Commission.

Health insurance veteran Mike Smith says ACA gains at risk as subsidies expire and costs climb

In a wide-ranging discussion on the Health Policy Podcast, Mike Smith, President Emeritus at The Brokerage Inc., outlines how the Affordable Care Act expanded coverage to millions of previously uninsured Americans but failed to deliver on long-term affordability. Smith explains that while subsidies helped drive enrollment and improve access to care, rising base premiums and the expiration of enhanced tax credits in late 2025 have led many consumers to drop coverage. He describes a market now marked by instability, limited private-sector solutions, and growing reliance on government funding, warning that current trends could push the U.S. closer to a national healthcare system if sustainable reforms are not found

Ross Marchand on FDA Delays: 'Blocking Breakthroughs' and the Cost of Regulatory Gridlock

Ross Marchand, executive director of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, discusses his organization's report Blocking Breakthroughs, which examines FDA drug rejection rates. He said that regulatory barriers, shifting standards, and excessive risk aversion are delaying patient access to potentially life-saving treatments, even as other developed countries approve the same drugs.

Cynthia Thurlow on the Future of Healthcare: Nurse Practitioners, System Pressures, and the Menopause Gut

Nurse practitioner and author Cynthia Thurlow discusses her transition from traditional allopathic medicine to a lifestyle-focused practice centered on perimenopause and menopause care. She explains the evolving role of nurse practitioners in the U.S. healthcare system, including their training, scope of practice, and ability to help fill gaps created by physician shortages. Thurlow highlights key systemic challenges shaping modern healthcare, including insurance-driven decision-making, declining reimbursement rates, consolidation of private practices, and the growing administrative burden on clinicians. She also addresses the rise of concierge medicine and the tension between efficiency and patient-centered care, particularly as technology and electronic medical records reshape doctor-patient interactions. The conversation also explores the potential and risks of artificial intelligence in medicine, with Thurlow emphasizing the importance of maintaining human judgment and connection in clinical care. She warns against overreliance on AI while acknowledging its usefulness in streamlining certain tasks. Finally, Thurlow introduces her book The Menopause Gut, which focuses on the role of the gut microbiome in women's health during midlife. She outlines how hormonal changes impact gut health and presents a holistic framework involving lifestyle, nutrition, and targeted therapies to support long-term wellness.