Dr. Don Berwick, Recent Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Dr. Don Berwick, Recent Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Conversations speaks with Dr. Don Berwick, recent head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and a longtime advocate of patient safety and overhaul of the health care industry. Hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter speak with Dr. Berwick about transforming health care for all Americans and his focus on the triple aim of better quality, better health, and lower costs in health care.

Teen Life Conference

Teen Life Conference

I was a social awkward youth, inexperienced in the ways of the world during my teen years which made high school a challenge.  At the time, I didn’t realize how difficult it was for so many of my friends as well, but recently many of my old classmates have reconnected via Facebook and with a few more decades behind us, we’re speaking more openly and honestly about the trials of our teen years. Facebook can be a tool to help…

Read More Read More

What it means to be homeless

What it means to be homeless

This time a year ago I was living just outside of Los Angeles. I was trying to get by, working as many part-time jobs as possible. Unfortunately, the hours weren’t enough so I had more free time than I would have liked. My apartment was within walking distance from a Starbucks, so I would walk there and sit outside with my computer and my dog. One day, I was sitting outside browsing job postings online when a woman named  Suzzanne stopped me…

Read More Read More

National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day

National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day

It is a rainy December evening, the longest night of the year.  At least this year, it isn’t too cold.  I’ve just walked back to the office after attending the Homeless Persons’ Memorial Service at The Church of the Holy Trinity in Middletown, CT.  The church was full; many homeless people, and many friends of the homeless.  Earlier this week, a friend of mine died.  He had a good job, a nice home, and loving family and friends.  Many of…

Read More Read More

Gail Wilensky, economist and senior fellow at Project HOPE

Gail Wilensky, economist and senior fellow at Project HOPE

This week, Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter speak with health economist Dr. Gail Wilensky, Senior Fellow at Project HOPE and former Administrator of Medicare and Medicaid. Gail discusses the future of Medicare and Medicaid in the wake of the Affordable Care Act and how to make those services less costly and more patient-centered.

Dave deBronkart, Founding Member of the Society for Participatory Medicine.

Dave deBronkart, Founding Member of the Society for Participatory Medicine.

This week, Conversations on Health Care focuses on patient participation in their health care. Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter speak with Dave deBronkart, better known as “e-Patient Dave” about how opening health care information directly to patients and encouraging their participation can lead to better health outcomes. You can read more about “e-Patient Dave” at e-patients.net The Tech Report section on the WNPR version includes an interview with Kelly Young, from RAWarrior