Are Pharmacy Benefit Managers To Blame For Your Massive Health Bills?

Last week we discussed how PBMs operate within healthcare, including negotiating drug prices and operating clinical programs. And though PBMs are under increasing scrutiny from lawmakers and the FTC, experts argue that reform – not removal – is key to creating a more transparent and efficient system. Guest Information: Eric Levine, Principal, Avalere Health Matthew Fielder, Senior Fellow in Economic Studies & in the Center on Health Policy, Brookings Institute Links for more info: Avalere Health: Eric Levine LinkedIn: Eric […]

August 17, 2025

Health

Hormone Imbalances May Be Causing Your Mental And Physical Issues

Hormones regulate nearly every function in the body, yet their role in women’s health is often overlooked in conventional medicine. Misdiagnosis of hormone imbalances can lead to physical and emotional suffering. Our expert this week explains the proper tests and education that can help women find the root cause of many different symptoms, empowering them to better understand and manage their health. Guest Information: Dr. Julie Taylor, Functional Medicine Specialist, Author, The Hormone Manual Links for more info: Dr. Julie […]

August 17, 2025 1

Health

Medical Notes: The Anti-Aging Properties Of Psychedelic Mushrooms, How Sleep Is Linked To Migraines, And The Exercise-For-Happiness Myth.

You should sleep more to ease your headaches. Migraines can be debilitating – causing nausea, vomiting, and extreme pain. These patients have poor sleep quality, which could be worsening their headaches. Sleep deprivation reduces the brain’s ability to manage pain, causing scientists to believe that sleep is directly linked to migraine frequency and severity. The research is published in the journal Cephalalgia. Should you swap your morning coffee for magic mushrooms? New research in the journal Aging has revealed that […]

August 13, 2025

Health

PBM’s: The Invisible Influence Behind Modern Healthcare

Pharmacy Benefit Managers, or PBMs, play a powerful but often invisible role in U.S. healthcare. While they’re often blamed for rising drug costs, recent research suggests the real culprit may be drug manufacturers and patent protections. Our experts explain how PBMs have evolved from simple claims processors into complex organizations that work behind the scenes for insurance companies, pharmacies, and employers. Guest Information: Eric Levine, Principal, Avalere Health Matthew Fielder, Senior Fellow in Economic Studies & in the Center on […]

August 10, 2025

Health

Not All Anxiety Is The Same – And Neither Are The Solutions

Cognitive neuroscientist Resh Gupta argues that anxiety isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition, but a spectrum of experiences that affect cognitive control in different ways. Her research explores how specific types of anxiety can be treated more effectively with tailored mindfulness practices. Gupta’s newly proposed framework aims to reshape how scientists study and treat anxiety. Guest Information: Resh Gupta, Cognitive Neuroscientist, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Washington University in St. Louis Links for more info: Washington University in St. Louis: Resh Gupta LinkedIn: Resh […]

August 10, 2025

Health

Medical Notes: How To Unlock Superhuman Healing, Why Football Players Should Start Practicing Ballet, And Can Ai Replace Your Doctor?

Diabetics may no longer have to suffer through frequent injections. A new pill can deliver insulin and similar medication – making needles a thing of the past. This new design uses pressure to create a small explosion that shoots the drugs past the normal barriers and into the bloodstream. The results are published in the Journal Of Controlled Release. Should you skip the doctor and just ask AI? Researchers have found that a new model is significantly better than doctors […]

August 6, 2025 1

Health

Increasing Patient Access To Experimental Drugs

There are many experimental drugs being tested for various conditions, but many of them never get to real patients due to obstacles like low rates of clinical trial participation. Our expert this week explains a growing research method that brings the trials directly to patients and gives them the opportunity to access a wider range of medications. Guest Information: Dr. Casey Chapman, Gastroenterologist, Chief Medical Officer, GI Alliance Links for more info: GI Alliance LinkedIn: Dr. Casey Chapman GI Alliance […]

August 3, 2025

Health

The New Drug That Shrinks Tumors For Patients With NF1-PN

Born with NF1-PN, a rare genetic disorder, Austin Fields spent his childhood learning how to live in a body riddled with benign tumors. Though removal surgery is the main treatment for this painful condition, a new medication has recently been approved for adults with NF1-PN. Our experts explain what it’s like to live with this condition and how this novel drug is enhancing patients’ quality of life. Guest Information: Dr. Angela Hirbe, Associate Professor of Medicine & Director of the […]

August 3, 2025

Health

Medical Notes: A New Cause of Infertility, the Future of Drinking Ocean Water, and Why You Should Embrace PDA

Researchers Discover a New Cause of Infertility A study in the journal Environmental International has found that air pollution can harm embryo development in IVF cycles. Issues stem from both maternal and paternal exposure to outdoor air pollution. Specifically, exposure to organic carbon, which is emitted from cars and wildfires, negatively impacts fertilization, survival, and embryo quality. (Emory University) Not All Teens Grow From Adversity Severe challenges – like abuse or poverty – can significantly impact teenage brain development. Researchers […]

July 30, 2025 1