Tradeoffs explores the toughest choices in health care, diving into issues like the cost of care, health equity, insurance, mental health and artificial intelligence. We connect policy to practice, uncovering the data and personal stories that help audiences understand the stakes — and the potential solutions.Learn more about us, find transcripts for each episode and additional reporting at https://tradeoffs.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode List

‘It Sucks’: Spiking Health Insurance Costs Hit Small Businesses

Mar 12th, 2026 7:00 AM

An employer in Chicago describes how another year of rising premiums forced her to consider dropping her workers’ insurance.Guest:Rachel Bernier-Green, Founder and CEO, EJ ConsortiumLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'We Can’t Afford All These Humans’: A Doctor's Take on AI in Health Care

Mar 5th, 2026 8:00 AM

We talk with physician and writer Bob Wachter about why he’s cautiously optimistic that artificial intelligence will usher in a ‘golden age’ of medicine — and the questions he still has about these powerful new tools.Guest:Bob Wachter, Chair, Department of Medicine, UC San Francisco; Author, A Giant Leap: How AI Is Transforming Healthcare and What That Means for Our FutureLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Immigration Enforcement’s Twin Threats to Health Care

Feb 26th, 2026 8:00 AM

Patients are afraid to show up to medical appointments, while workers are being detained, deported or losing their visa statuses.Guests:Sahida Martinez, promotora, EnlaceJadhira Sanchez, director of community health, EnlaceSteph Willding, CEO, CommunityHealthJordan Herring, Postdoctoral scholar, Emergency medicine, StanfordHannah Janeway, Emergency medicine physician, Los AngelesLaura Messineo, CNO, WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions Learn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As States and CDC Split on Vaccines, What's Next?

Feb 19th, 2026 8:00 AM

Half of states have rejected federal vaccine guidance on childhood vaccines after controversial changes by the CDC. Public health experts say the split is sowing confusion and increasing the risk of outbreaks. Guests:Michelle Fiscus, physician, chief medical officer, Association of Immunization ManagersJen Kates, senior vice president; director, global and public health policy, KFF Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, physician, health officer, Washington Department of HealthPhilip Landrigan, physician and director, program for global public health and the common good, Boston College Dorit Reiss, law professor, University of California, San FranciscoLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Better Way to Care for Older Adults with Opioid Addiction

Feb 12th, 2026 8:00 AM

How one addiction clinic in Baltimore has found success combining addiction care with support for the many other health problems older Americans often face.Guests:Malik Burnett, Medical Director, REACH Health ServicesLisa Clemans-Cope, Senior Research Fellow, Urban InstituteRenee Gray, Patient, REACH Health ServicesPhyllis Lindsay, Peer Recovery Specialist, REACH Health ServicesMaggie Lowenstein, Assistant Professor, Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of MedicineVickie Walters, Executive Director, REACH Health ServicesLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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