This week on "Podnosis," you'll hear from Jayne Conroy, who is representing Ohio residents against Norfolk Southern Railway. Conroy talks with Fierce's Annie Burky about her ongoing work to assess the public health repercussions of the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.  Also under discussion is how to better track social determinants of health. Ashley Perry, chief solutions officer for Socially Determined, talked with Fierce’s Robert King about how data analytics tools can complement screening. To learn more about topics in this episode:  CVS, Walmart and Walgreens ordered to pay $650M in Ohio opioid suit, but some providers worry about aftermathLead exposure continues to be a 'silent epidemic' for kids. These 3 states have the most affected areas2023 forecast: Providers embrace start of new requirements on health equityMost doctors have patients affected by social drivers but feel ill-equipped to address them, survey findsProviders seek more incentives in ACO REACH to target highly underserved areasCMS seeks to close gaps in health equity data collection as new measures roll out Podnosis is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey and managing editor Querida Anderson. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The stories are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on "Podnosis," you'll hear from Katya Siddall-Cipolla, who started Hopper Health to offer virtual primary care and related services for neurodivergent adults. She talks with Fierce's Anastassia Gliadkovskaya about why neurodivergent adults need nuanced care and how to provide it.  Also under discussion is the opioid epidemic. Jayne Conroy is a leading plaintiff attorney on the landmark $10 billion agreement to settle with CVS and Walgreens. She talks with Fierce’s Annie Burky about the case as well as how cases like this can force change in the healthcare industry.   To learn more about topics in this episode:  New virtual primary care provider for neurodivergent adults, Hopper Health, launchesMarker Learning scores $15M to continue bringing down the cost of learning disability assessmentsThere's a new reimbursement pathway for VR therapy. The health tech company behind it just raised $10MPoint32Health teams up with autism care provider Cortica to expand access to neurological therapiesBicycle Health partners with Bureau of Prisons to provide opioid use disorder treatment at reentry centersConfo hands baton to Lilly for non-opioid pain med development in $40M upfront dealOrexo, leveraging drug delivery tech, seeks FDA approval of nasal high-dose opioid rescue medicine#FierceMadness: The competition to determine healthcare's most powerful person is back! Podnosis is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey and managing editor Querida Anderson with editor-in-chief Ayla Ellison and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The stories are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2022 went down as one of the most difficult years financially for hospitals and health systems since the COVID-19 pandemic began. In this episode, Erik Wexler, chief operating officer at Providence, talks with Senior Editor Heather Landi about the biggest trends that should be on every health system executive’s radar.  Also under discussion is rural hospitals. Now that COVID funds are dwindling, how will rural hospitals manage the forthcoming financial instability and overcome hurdles unique to them? The National Rural Health Association's Brock Slabach talks with Fierce's Anastassia Gliadkovskaya about rural hospital operations and what their strategy might be in 2023.  To learn more about topics in this episode:  Tallahassee hospital continues to operate offline, working with FBI to address 'IT security event'Providence targets 'leaner' operating structure, leadership layoffs to offset recent lossesCiting dire finances, Providence shutters 27 Southern California retail clinicsMedPAC calls for slight pay update to 2024 Medicare rates for hospitals, physiciansRural hospital closures have spillover effects for other nearby facilities, researchers warn2023 forecast: Amid dwindling COVID relief funds, rural hospitals face a 'fiscal cliff'#FierceMadness: Help us select the healthcare leaders for this year's face-off Podnosis is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey with managing editor Querida Anderson and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The stories are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

States with abortion restrictions have fewer maternity care providers, more maternity care deserts and higher rates of maternal and infant mortality. Fierce's Heather Landi spoke with Laurie Zephyrin, M.D., an OB-GYN specialist and health equity leader with the Commonwealth Fund, about the ripple effect of abortion bans. Landi also talks to Sonia Millsom, CEO of healthcare executive search firm Oxeon, about how the healthcare industry needs to think creatively about the next generation of leadership, particularly since the sector has a lot of work to do to improve diversity, equity and inclusion. To learn more about topics in this episode: In states with abortion bans, maternal and infant death rates are significantly higher, study findsPost Dobbs fallout tracker—Nationwide legal abortions declined 6% from April to August, report estimatesMost physicians unclear on 'life-threatening emergencies' under abortion bans: surveyMore employers to add travel benefits for abortion in wake of Dobbs decision: surveyFierce Healthcare's 2022 Women of Influence AwardsUS medical schools grew more diverse in 2022, AAMC data showFierce Healthcare's most influential minority executives in healthcare for 2022ViVE 2022: How female founders, executives are driving the future of health tech "Podnosis" is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey and managing editor Querida Anderson with editor-in-chief Ayla Ellison and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The interviews are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Major national plans are bringing in record profits as they diversify their business lines. Providers, meanwhile, continue to feel the lingering effects of the pandemic on care costs, labor and the supply chain. Fierce's Paige Minemyer and Dave Muoio dive into the financial trends they spotted in covering fourth-quarter earnings.    Also, in this episode, Frank Diamond interviews Michael Millenson, president of Health Quality Advisors, about patient safety in the post-COVID era. The U.S. healthcare system didn’t have a solid enough safety culture or infrastructure before the pandemic. As a result, patient safety has suffered even more. To learn more about topics in this episode: Optum expects to treat 4M in fully accountable, value-based models this yearUnitedHealth continues to lead the way on insurer profits in Q3. Here's how its competitors faredUniversal Health Services sees dipping profits despite halving contract labor costs from previous quarterNearly a quarter of inpatient admissions experienced an adverse event in 2018, Massachusetts hospital study findsCMS threatens citations for hospitals without appropriate workplace safety practicesPatient safety advocate cheers CMS' reversal on quality reporting, but hospitals say the data are no good "Podnosis" is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey and managing editor Querida Anderson with editor-in-chief Ayla Ellison and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The interviews are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rural healthcare is in dire need of investment and resources. Enter private equity. But experts say PE deals need to be scrutinized. Mary Bugbee, a research and campaign coordinator at a nonprofit financial watchdog organization called Private Equity Stakeholder Project, talks with Anastassia Gliadkovskaya about the pros and cons of PE in rural settings.   Also on the podcast, Senior Editor Paige Minemyer caught up with Margaret-Mary Wilson, M.D., to discuss her career journey and how it impacts her perspective on caring for patients. Wilson entered the fold at UnitedHealth Group nearly 15 years ago after becoming a physician in her native Nigeria and treating patients in the U.K. and the U.S.  To learn more about topics in this episode: PitchBook: After a hot 2022, PE healthcare deals expected to decline in coming months. But a rebound is possiblePrivate equity owns at least 130 rural hospitals, and other revelations in a sweeping new report on PE in rural healthcare2023 forecast: Amid dwindling COVID relief funds, rural hospitals face a 'fiscal cliff'Private equity acquisitions targeted large, high-margin hospitals over 15-year periodAmid travel nursing rate spikes, a 'record-breaking' number of PE investments deserves scrutiny: reportFierce Healthcare's 2022 Women of Influence AwardsMeet the executive leading UnitedHealthcare's social determinants strategyIndustry Voices—Lack of diversity stymies culturally competent care. Let's change it "Podnosis" is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey and managing editor Querida Anderson with editor-in-chief Ayla Ellison and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The interviews are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major weak point in healthcare is the patient handoff, where it is key to accurately exchange patient information between caregivers, such as medications the patient is on or symptoms they are experiencing. Fierce Healthcare’s Anastassia Gliadkovskaya talks with Subha Airan-Javia, M.D., a Penn Medicine physician and founder and CEO of CareAlign, about how to address this crisis.  Also, Annie Burky talks with attorney Sunny Levine, who specializes in the law of health tech regulatory compliance, about what telemedicine companies—in particular telepsychiatry firms—will face with the looming end of the public health emergency. Without any regulatory changes, remote care will roll back to prepandemic standards, significantly hurting access to key medications. To learn more about topics in this episode: Here are 6 ways the ONC's new rules for opening health record access will impact the industryOracle Cerner unveils new tech capabilities: Virtual nursing, tools to streamline charting, billing and data integrationElation Health teams with workflow management startup to automate administrative tasks in medical practicesExperts sound alarm on 'preventable public health crisis' as virtual prescribing for opioid use disorder now in limboJPM23: Teladoc revises its Q4 to sunnier projections while shining a light on BetterHelp and digital 'whole-person approach'CVS Health goes live with virtual care service with a focus on primary care, mental healthWhite House plans to end COVID emergency declarations May 11 "Podnosis" is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey and managing editor Querida Anderson with editor-in-chief Ayla Ellison and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The interviews are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, marginalized populations within the U.S. have shown poorer health outcomes than their white counterparts. Zocalo Health is a new population health company serving Latino communities in California and Texas. Fierce's Annie Burky spoke with Sarah Lopez, M.D., Zocalo's chief medical officer, about how population health systems and value-based care can address the needs of marginalized populations. Also in this episode, we take a glimpse into the Fierce JPM Week event, which was held last month. Listen in on a panel as industry experts discuss how payers can stay ahead of the competition in the face of the growth of exchanges in the Affordable Care Act. To learn more about topics in this episode: These startups are trying to reach communities often marginalized in healthcare. Here's how they do itSubconscious race, gender bias toward providers may impact the body's response to treatments, study findsHeadspace doubles down on personalized mental health care, snaps up BIPOC-focused ShineFierce JPM Week "Podnosis" is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey and managing editor Querida Anderson with editor-in-chief Ayla Ellison and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The interviews are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The past year has challenged hospitals and health systems in the U.S. The COVID-19 pandemic and macroeconomic pressures brought a flood of operational challenges for healthcare provider organizations. And most of the financial relief offered by the government has run dry. Industry leaders believe that these challenges will likely continue into 2023. Fierce Healthcare's Dave Muoio chats with Lisa Goldstein, senior vice president at the consulting firm Kaufman Hall, about what hospital leaders will need to focus on in the new year. Also in this episode, Anastassia Gliadkovskaya interviews Mark Friedberg, the senior vice president of performance measurement and improvement at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. They discuss alternatives to the fee-for-service payment model like values-based care.  To learn more about topics in this episode: JPM 2022: CMS, BCBS leaders share strategies to tackle health inequities long-termFrom telehealth to Medicare cuts: Here are the health policies in Congress' $1.7T omnibusEmpiRx touts savings from value-based approach to behavioral health therapy management2023 forecast: 7 immediate and long-term priorities for hospital leaders'It's finally here': States have long sought Medicaid eligibility redetermination deadline "Podnosis" is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey and managing editor Querida Anderson with editor-in-chief Ayla Ellison and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The interviews are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference earlier this month, Fierce hosted its annual JPM Week event. And, last week, an expanded program was streamed during our virtual event. So, today’s episode takes you inside a couple of those sessions. First up, a panel on what big retailers have to gain by moving into healthcare. Forrester’s Natalie Schibell, VillageMD’s Tim Barry and primary care doctor Katherine Gergen Barnett, M.D., discuss what these changes will mean for primary care doctors and patients. Also, hear from Ramita Tandon about how Walgreens can impact drug research. To learn more about topics in this episode: Retailers, payers and startups could capture 30% of primary care market by 2030: reportDollar General pilots mobile clinics as it targets a bigger presence in healthcareAvanlee Care joins forces with Walmart, uses technology to support millions of unpaid caregiversWalgreens plots 'aggressive' strategy to build out healthcare services, CEO Roz Brewer saysWalgreens' VillageMD inks $9B deal to buy Summit Health, marking largest physician deal of the yearPharmacy retail giant Walgreens looks to disrupt the clinical trials businessFierce JPM Week "Podnosis" is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey and managing editor Querida Anderson with editor-in-chief Ayla Ellison and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The interviews are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, hospitals were stretched thin.  So, the government encouraged hospitals to delay non-essential, elective surgeries. That meant that at the peak of the pandemic, thousands of cancer surgeries were delayed and many screening facilities closed temporarily. Julie Gralow, the chief medical officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, talks with Anastassia Gliadkovskaya about how the healthcare system can support communities in times of crisis.    Also this week, reporter Robert King and Editor-in-Chief Ayla Ellison talk about the Fierce 15 honorees, and how they are trying to change the world by changing the healthcare industry.  To learn more about topics in this episode: Industry Voices—Addressing breakdowns in the cancer care journeyPeople with disabilities much more likely to delay care during COVID-19, study findsTranscarent unveils latest bet with new cancer care programDoctors report patients' health declining due to delayed or inaccessible care during COVID-19 pandemicFierce Healthcare's Fierce 15 of 2023 "Podnosis" is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey with managing editor Querida Anderson and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The interviews are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even with the pandemic waning, telehealth is here to stay. But is virtual care the golden ticket to a reimagined health system? Katherine Barnett, M.D., at Boston Medical Center looked into how telehealth exacerbates health inequities—calling it “digital redlining.” In this episode, Annie Burky talks with Barnett about the future of virtual care and health equity.  Also this week, Anastassia Gliadkovskaya interviews Jerrica Kirkley, M.D., the co-founder and chief medical officer of Plume. They talk about the impact of anti-trans legislation on healthcare and what providers can do to break down barriers to care for gender-diverse populations. To learn more about topics in this episode: These startups are trying to reach communities often marginalized in healthcare. Here's how they do itYouTube, KFF and others team on health equity educational videoIndustry widely sees equity as important, but lacks concrete steps to address it, survey findsTo reach homeless individuals in need, NYC Health + Hospitals expands tele-behavioral health to shelters, mobile street clinicsLGBTQ+ care providers calling for advocacy, education to push back against anti-transgender effortsAt least 24 hospitals, providers have been targeted online and offline over gender-affirming care, report saysIn new executive order, Biden seeks to protect LGBTQ+ access to affirming care, expand provider trainingDOJ must investigate and prosecute those behind children's hospital harassment campaign, medical groups sayFierce JPM Week "Podnosis" is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey with managing editor Querida Anderson and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The interviews are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2021 was a hot year for digital health funding. This year, though, the startup ecosystem had a reality check. Yet, 23 healthcare startups became unicorns, crossing the $1 billion valuation threshold. Senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemeyer have the rundown.  Also this week, Anastassia Gliadkovskaya interviews Rhonda Medows, president of population health management at Providence. They talk about how health systems are thinking differently about care delivery, realizing that addressing people's health takes a lot more than just reacting to medical concerns and emergencies. To learn more about topics in this episode: 10 healthcare companies that hit $1B valuations in 2022People with disabilities much more likely to delay care during COVID-19, study findsProvidence to spend $50M to reduce health disparities, starting with COVID-19 care gapsSustained population health improvement requires healthcare industry culture shift, experts sayFierce JPM Week Podnosis is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey with managing editor Querida Anderson and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The interviews are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When COVID-19 struck, healthcare administrators were forced to create tech-driven experiences. Now that we have a “new normal," demand is higher than ever for techie solutions like virtual care services. Senior editor Paige Minemyer interviews Rajeev Ronanki, chief digital officer of Elevance Health, on what health plans should be doing to provide a more personal patient experience. More than 83 million people in the U.S. live in areas where there’s a shortage of primary care physicians. And the demand for primary care is almost certainly going to increase. So, what do we do? In this episode, Fierce Healthcare’s writer Frank Diamond put that question to Hoangmai (Mai) H. Pham, M.D., president and CEO of the Institute for Exceptional Care. To learn more about topics in this episode: Anthem, CloudMedx launch digital tool to help employers, public health officials track impact of COVID-19  Anthem-backed Hydrogen Health rolls out virtual primary care services for insurers, employersIndustry Voices—Achieving digital transformation without adding to digital fatigueAnthem hits more than 12M registered members on its Sydney appHybrid payment model touted as lifeline for primary care physicians: studyHCSC teams with Teladoc to roll out virtual primary care next yearPrimary care docs need 27 hours a day to provide guideline-based care, study findsFierce JPM Week Podnosis is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey with managing editor Querida Anderson and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The interviews are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The healthcare industry is grappling with rising drug prices. The expectation is, though, that the wave of biosimilars launching next year will make a dent in healthcare costs. Paige Minemyer interviews Alan Lotvin, M.D., president of CVS Health’s Caremark pharmacy benefit manager, about biosimilars’ potential.  Also in the episode, Heather Landi talks to Jennifer Schneider, M.D., about how rural communities are facing a healthcare access crisis and what can be done about it. Schneider is the CEO of Homeward, a technology-enabled healthcare provider delivering care to rural America. To learn more about topics in this episode: CVS: Specialty drugs accounted for 52% of pharmacy spend in 2020How CVS Caremark kept specialty drug trend to an industry low in 2021Industry Voices—Leveraging biosimilars for lower specialty drug costsRural America is fertile ground for healthcare innovation, experimentation, tech leaders sayViVE 2022: Former Livongo execs launch rural healthcare startup Homeward with $20M investment Startup Homeward inks partnership with Rite Aid to provide primary care in rural communitiesLaunched just 5 months ago, Homeward clinches $50M, inks major Medicare Advantage partnershipGAO: Fewer providers in rural, underserved areas join advanced alternative payment models Podnosis is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey with managing editor Querida Anderson and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The stories are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pandemic led to an explosion in telehealth use. Now, as we start going back into the doctor’s office, more people are still using telehealth than ever would have before the pandemic. As insurers and plan sponsors look to cash in on this shift to virtual care, Paige Minemyer interviews Teladoc's Rob Bressler about the challenge of striking the balance between virtual care and traditional brick-and-mortar services.  Also on Podnosis, Anastassia Gliadkovskaya spoke with Mariana Socal, M.D., Ph.D., physician and Johns Hopkins scientist, about tackling the drug pricing crisis in the U.S, where prices are among the highest in the world. A 2018 Department of Health and Human Services study found that drugs in the U.S. were between 170% and 779% more expensive than in the 32 other similar countries included in the research. We dig into ways to make drugs more affordable, like switching up PBMs' business model and efforts like billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban's new company Cost Plus Drugs.  To learn more about topics in this episode: Teladoc's Gorevic bullish on fending off Amazon, rivals in telehealth space Amwell exploring $200M buyout of online therapy provider Talkspace: media report How Philips, HealthAlliance health system teamed up to bring leading-edge tech to rural communities 2 new PBM launches aim to bring greater transparency to the market FTC launches investigation into major pharmacy benefit managers' business practices Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company announces first health plan partner, Capital Blue Cross HHS: More than 1,200 drugs' prices rose past inflation in 2021 Podnosis is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey with managing editor Querida Anderson and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The stories are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U.S. doesn’t have universal healthcare, as most industrialized countries do. Most of us get health benefits through employers. Why? In World War II, the government slapped wage controls on corporations. To lure workers, companies began offering healthcare benefits. After the war, an effort to create a national healthcare system was met with resistance. Fierce Healthcare writer Frank Diamond talks with Elizabeth Mitchell, the president and CEO of the Purchaser Business Group on Health. It is a nonprofit group of employers purchasing healthcare services for over 21 million Americans. Also, everyone knows the U.S. healthcare system is a broken one. But few have ideas on how to fix it—or where to even begin. To better understand what Americans want from their care, nonprofit United States of Care spent three years talking to thousands around the country. It then identified policy agenda goals that it has since been working on with lawmakers. Anastassia Gliadkovskaya talks with the organization’s co-founder, Natalie Davis, to find out how that work is going.   To Learn more about topics in this episode: SDOH solution Unite Us teams up with data analytics firm on predictive modeling of consumer behavior Congress is back. Here are 4 things to watch out for, from postponing pay cuts to mental health reform U.S. employers brace for healthcare costs to rise next 3 years Consumers seeking personalized, integrated care post-COVID, CVS survey findsPBGH is launching a new committee to further integrate public purchasers. Here's whyThis is now the biggest driver of employers' healthcare costs, survey showsNew playbook aims to help employers, plan sponsors negotiate hospital pricesConsumers concerned about rising healthcare costs as open enrollment period draws near Podnosis is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey with managing editor Querida Anderson and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The stories are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While many states have embraced the shift to modular Medicaid Enterprise Systems, the journey to modularity does not come without risks. In this Fierce Healthcare podcast, Rajesh Sharma, vice president and general manager of Gainwell Technologies’ systems integration, data analytics and interoperability product offering, provides practical and proven strategies to help states navigate the various opportunities and challenges that modernization presents.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U.S. is in a pregnancy care crisis. The country has the highest maternal mortality rate among comparable wealthy countries, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Senior editor Heather Landi spoke with Alison Cowan, M.D., head of medical affairs at personalized pregnancy startup Mirvie and a practicing OB-GYN, about how to improve and modernize the U.S. healthcare system for pregnant women. Also, senior editor Paige Minemyer talks to Chinni Pulluru, M.D., vice president of clinical operations at Walmart Health and Wellness, about lessons since the retail giant launched its first health clinics in 2019. With retail’s push into healthcare, these companies promise a more convenient experience, but traditional providers have expressed some concerns as Walmart and others edge onto their turf.  To learn more about topics in this episode: Mirvie mRNA study predicts premature births 2 months in advanceUS women face worse outcomes, higher costs than in other wealthy countriesMaternal deaths continued to rise nationwide in 2020, especially among Black and older mothersWalmart Health plans to open 16 more Florida clinics next yearCVS plans to make a major primary care play by the end of 2022Walgreens, Alphabet's Wing kick off drone delivery service in major metro area Podnosis is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey with managing editor Querida Anderson and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The stories are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are sides of pregnancy not seen on social networks or "new mom" newsletters. In this podcast, we hear the side of "expecting" that's not often spoken about in public. This is part 1 of a 4-part series. To hear more, search for "The Invisible Weight" wherever you listen to podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.