Episodes

Health care policy faced major upheavals during the past 12 months and the effects are already being felt.

On this special 2025 Rewind and Look Ahead episode of “Conversations on Health Care,” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter reflect on the moments that defined the year and what may come next. This episode is Part 1 of a two-part 2025 rewind.

The conversation revisits the passage of H.R. 1, which was the largest Medicaid reduction in the program’s history, and the ripple effects states and families are already experiencing. Mark and Margaret also look back on the longest government shutdown in U.S. history and the battle over extending the Obamacare subsidies.

In addition, we hear from national health policy leaders, reporters and advocates, including voices from CMS, KFF Health News, primary care, telehealth and the 340B community. The program also marked the 60th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, reflecting on the programs’ legacies and future during a transformative time.

Click now for the full episode.

Eighty percent of maternal deaths in the United States are considered preventable. So why do they keep happening?

On this episode of “Conversations on Health Care,” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter are joined by award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author Irin Carmon for a thoughtful conversation about pregnancy, care, and what gets lost when she says systems stop listening.

Carmon’s new book, “Unbearable: Five Women and the Perils of Pregnancy in America,” draws on 15 years of reporting and the stories of five women navigating very different parts of the American maternal health system. Rather than a political argument, the discussion focuses on lived experience, reporting and what compassion and accountability can look like in maternal health care.

“Pregnancy can be a gift. But nothing can truly be considered a gift when it comes wrapped in coercion or paternalistic silence,” Carmon wrote.

Through these stories, Carmon explores why preventable tragedies still occur, even in places with advanced health care, and what she has learned by listening closely to patients, families and clinicians.

“We know what makes a difference. Listening when someone says something doesn’t feel right is as sophisticated as you need to get.”

The episode touches on maternal mortality, postpartum care, midwifery models and why improving outcomes starts with recognizing the humanity of the person who is pregnant.

Originally broadcast December 11, 2025

Congress is scrambling to find a solution to the enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies that expire at the end of the year. Without action, premiums are set to rise sharply for millions of Americans, creating a major health care cliff as 2026 approaches.

Congressional reporters Sandhya Raman (CQ Roll Call) and Robert King (Politico) join hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter to help make sense of the fast-moving negotiations and what is likely to happen next.

King captures the mood inside Congress as competing proposals circulate without leadership support. As he explains, “But right now, there has not been any indication from Speaker Johnson that he is going to be advocating for any of the compromise legislation that is being discussed in the House.” 

Raman looks ahead to the broader forces that will shape the policy debate over the next year. She says, “I think affordability and the forms of that will be a big thing, whether or not we get any sort of deal on ACA or some of the other things that have been in the mix. Congress has been very interested in PBM reform and things like that to bring down health costs. So I think going into next year, regardless of what happens in the next couple weeks, that will be definitely something big to watch here.” 

Together, their insights offer a timely look at why the subsidy cliff is proving so hard to solve, why the Senate’s competing plans are unlikely to pass, and how issues like abortion coverage and health savings account proposals are adding new complications to an already crowded landscape.

They also share their predictions for the top health care story of 2026, including the trends they believe will shape the year ahead for patients, providers, and policymakers.

Originally broadcast December 4, 2025

The doctor who once led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sees trouble ahead:

1. There’s been a significant decrease in people taking the COVID and flu vaccines
2. Europe is experiencing the worst flu season in years (an early indicator of problems in the U.S.)
3. CDC data show that Influenza infections are growing or likely growing in 41 states

“It’s not good…what we have seen from Europe is a very early and very severe flu season, something that could mean more hospitalizations.”

Dr. Tom Frieden says confusing vaccine guidance, limited access and weakened public health systems are contributing to fewer shots in arms. He also shares insights from his new book, “The Formula for Better Health: How to Save Millions of Lives—Including Your Own.” He explains his “See, Believe, Create” formula for building a healthier future and his broader call for a public health system that listens to communities and makes vaccination easier. Dr. Frieden now leads Resolve to Save Lives, which works to close the gap between proven, life-saving solutions and the people who need them around the world.

Leading nutritionist Marion Nestle, Ph.D., has a sobering message as we get ready for Thanksgiving: America’s food system delivers twice the calories we need while wasting 40%. “Thanksgiving provides five times the calories we need,” she points out. Her advice? “It is a week in which you just have to do the best you can.”

But once we’ve cleared the dishes after Thursday’s meal, Nestle offers practical advice for people trying to make healthy, budget-conscious choices as food prices continue to rise.

“If there is anything that is a superfood, it is a bean. If you want to save money on food, you have to cook.”

Nestle discusses the dramatic changes in our food system over the last 20 years, the growing influence of social media on what we buy and eat, and the rise of ultra-processed foods. She joins hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter to discuss her new book, “What to Eat Now,” an updated and expanded guide to navigating today’s food landscape.

Watch the full interview now.

Nestle’s earlier appearance on Conversations on Health Care is also available, where she discussed artificial food dyes, food industry marketing and the need for a food system that puts public health first. Click here to watch.

People around the world are living longer and healthier lives because of an innovative idea that became a global force for change. On this episode of Conversations on Health Care, hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter welcome back Dr. Sanjeev Arora, founder of Project ECHO, an approach that has already improved care for more than 200 million patients worldwide.

Project ECHO was born from one question Dr. Arora asked himself more than 20 years ago: How do we make sure no patient is left behind because they cannot reach a specialist? What began as a hepatitis C initiative in New Mexico is now used for more than 70 complex conditions across over 200 countries and territories.

In this new interview, Dr. Arora reflects on what inspired him, what surprised him, and what he believes is possible next. He explains how primary care providers became force multipliers for specialty expertise, how Project ECHO expanded through COVID-19, and why community health centers continue to lead the way in democratizing knowledge.

“If we are willing to democratize our expertise and work together as interconnected providers, we can rapidly improve the U.S. health care system,” Dr. Arora said.

He also shares why the ECHO model boosts the resilience and joy of primary care teams, improves outcomes for underserved populations, and has transformed mental health care in India, where one psychiatrist may serve hundreds of thousands of patients.

“I know this work is making a difference in the community and in the world,” he said.

Listen to the full interview to hear Dr. Arora’s reflections on scaling impact, building health care communities, and the hope he carries for the next chapter of Project ECHO.

This episode also marks a meaningful return. Dr. Arora first appeared on Conversations on Health Care in 2011, shortly after Project ECHO was recognized as a disruptive innovation in global health. You can revisit that early conversation, here.