Episodios

  • The shutdown continues and premiums rise

    The shutdown continues and premiums rise
    Nov 4 2025

    Join Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley as they break down the latest in healthcare costs during the ongoing government shutdown. In this episode, they explore four GOP-backed compromise solutions and what they mean for consumers, while analyzing why fully insured plan premiums are projected to rise by 11%. Stay informed on healthcare trends, policy updates, and practical insights for navigating rising insurance costs.

    Articles mentioned in this program:

    US Health Insurers Face Rising Uncertainty from ACA Subsidy Expiration - Fitch Ratings

    4 GOP ideas for an Obamacare subsidies compromise - POLITICO

    How much and why premiums are going up for small businesses in 2026 - Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker

    Listen wherever you get your podcast or watch us on Substack and YouTube.



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net
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    15 m
  • What the government shutdown means for your practice

    What the government shutdown means for your practice
    Oct 1 2025

    The US Senate could not agree on a budget and as a result, the government has entered a partial shutdown. We’ll talk about what healthcare spending will continue and what problems may arise at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Plus: What are those Affordable Care Act subsidies that Democrats are so concerned about?

    Listen wherever you get your podcast or watch us on Substack and YouTube.



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net
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    15 m
  • MAHA: The good, the bad, and the ugly

    MAHA: The good, the bad, and the ugly
    Sep 16 2025

    Fulcrum Strategies President and CEO Ron Howrigon breaks down the problems with the "Make America Healthy Again" (or MAHA) movement. It's not that the goals and sentiment aren't good; it's that the process is extremely flawed.

    Listen wherever you get your podcast or watch us on Substack and YouTube.

    Learn more about what Fulcrum Strategies can do for your practice at FSDOC.com.



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net
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    10 m
  • What is going on with Medicaid?

    What is going on with Medicaid?
    Sep 10 2025

    Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley are back with healthcare analysis and discussion on Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum Strategies.

    In this episode, Ron and Matthew discuss claims by current Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. that there are no impending cuts to Medicaid and what physicians are really facing as a result of the Big Beautiful Bill. They also discuss the sudden change to Medicaid reimbursement in North Carolina.

    Listen wherever you get your podcast or watch us on Substack and YouTube.

    LIVE STOCK PRICES:

    UnitedHealth Group: $UNH Elevance: $ELV CVS: $CVS Cigna: $CI Humana: $HUM Molina: $MOH

    Learn more about what Fulcrum Strategies can do for your practice at FSDOC.com.



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net
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    20 m
  • Ep. 96 - SPECIAL EDITION: Remembering Dr. Dan Hurley

    Ep. 96 - SPECIAL EDITION: Remembering Dr. Dan Hurley
    Aug 7 2024
    This week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Matthew Handley and Ron Howrigon discuss the life of the late Dr. Dan Hurley with his wife Dr. Traci Hurley, his sister Christine, and his brother Tom. They shared memories of his life and why he fought so hard for transparency in our healthcare system.

    Matthew and Ron spoke to Dr. Hurley last year on the FLATLINING Podcast after he was diagnosed with dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma and his insurance company had denied payment for radiology scans that would have aided his treatment.

    --
    Listen to the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies wherever you listen to podcasts and have every episode delivered to your email by subscribing at www.FLATLINING.net.
    --

    Dan Hurley, M.D. Endowment Fund - CS Foundation
    The Story of Dr. Dan Hurley - Ron Howrigon at FLATLINING.net
    CLICK HERE to listen to our original conversation with Dr. Hurley

    --

    Subscribe to the FLATLINING Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the iHeartRadio app, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pandora, TuneIn, and Audible.


    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net
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    1 h y 5 m
  • Ep. 95 - Is the mainstream media finally seeing the physician shortage?

    Ep. 95 - Is the mainstream media finally seeing the physician shortage?
    Jul 31 2024
    On the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies this week, Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley a recent PBS News report on the shortage of pediatric physicians. Is the mainstream media finally seeing what patients have been experiencing for years? How do we ensure that we will have enough doctors to take care of us in the future?

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    Articles mentioned in this program:
    The causes and consequences of a decline in doctors going into pediatric care - PBS News

    ---

    Subscribe to the FLATLINING Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the iHeartRadio app, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pandora, TuneIn, and Audible.

    Follow Matthew on X and LinkedIn. Follow Ron on LinkedIn.

    Fulcrum Strategies is a healthcare consulting firm specializing in payer contract negotiation and strategic planning for physician practices. Our firm has helped over 5,000 physicians in groups of all sizes and specialties across the country to significantly improve their contract language and reimbursement rates, strategically plan for the future, and achieve business success. Learn more at FSDOC.com.

    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net
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    15 m
  • Ep. 94 - What do Kamala Harris' healthcare policies look like?

    Ep. 94 - What do Kamala Harris' healthcare policies look like?
    Jul 24 2024
    On the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies this week, Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley discuss what sort of healthcare platforms Vice President Kamala Harris could advocate as the new Democratic nominee. They also discuss a recent interview Ron gave with New York Magazine on automatic insurance denials.


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    Further reading:
    Where Kamala Harris Stands on Key Healthcare Issues - Medpage Today
    In Denial - New York Magazine
    --


    Listen to the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies wherever you listen to podcasts and have every episode delivered to your email by subscribing at www.FLATLINING.net.

    Follow Matthew on X and LinkedIn.
    Follow Ron on LinkedIn.

    Fulcrum Strategies is a healthcare consulting firm specializing in payer contract negotiation and strategic planning for physician practices. Our firm has helped over 5,000 physicians in groups of all sizes and specialties across the country to significantly improve their contract language and reimbursement rates, strategically plan for the future, and achieve business success. Learn more at FSDOC.com.


    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net
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    28 m
  • Ep. 93 - What the Chevron ruling means for healthcare

    Ep. 93 - What the Chevron ruling means for healthcare
    Jul 10 2024
    This week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Matthew Handley and CEO Ron Howrigon discuss how the Supreme Court overturning Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. could affect healthcare down the road. There is a possiblity that it could dictate how the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services detirmine Medicare reimbursement, whether or not the Food and Drug Administration can approve over the counter medications, and more. Matthew and Ron also discuss how this ruling could affect the No Surprises Act.

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    Further reading:
    What Does the Overturning of Chevron Mean for Healthcare? - Holland and Knight
    How the Supreme Court has roiled U.S. health-care agencies - The Washington Post
    We break down the overturning of the Chevron doctrine - NPR
    --


    Listen to the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies wherever you listen to podcasts and have every episode delivered to your email by subscribing at www.FLATLINING.net.

    Follow Matthew on X and LinkedIn.
    Follow Ron on LinkedIn.

    Fulcrum Strategies is a healthcare consulting firm specializing in payer contract negotiation and strategic planning for physician practices. Our firm has helped over 5,000 physicians in groups of all sizes and specialties across the country to significantly improve their contract language and reimbursement rates, strategically plan for the future, and achieve business success. Learn more at FSDOC.com.

    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net
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    25 m