Every year, millions of Americans face the life-changing news of a cancer diagnosis. Beyond the battle for survival and recovery, there is another critical fight—the battle to ensure patients and their families have access to affordable care.

In this episode, we look at the intersection of health care policy and cancer care with Pam Traxel, Senior Vice President of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). ACS CAN champions cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones by advocating for expanded access to health care, funding for cancer research, and policies that make lifesaving treatments more accessible.

The Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (EPTCs) have proven to be critical tools, helping millions of Americans afford health insurance, including those grappling with the high costs of cancer treatment. With the threat of these credits expiring, the stakes for cancer patients and their loved ones couldn’t be higher. Pam breaks down the potential consequences of losing this critical lifeline and shares how ACS CAN is mobilizing to protect access to affordable health care for all.

Key Topics Covered:

• Role of ACS CAN in fighting for cancer patients and families;
• Potential expiration of Enhanced Premium Tax Credits and its devastating implications;
• Importance of health insurance in cancer diagnosis and survival rates; and,
• Data showing how EPTCs improve patient outcomes and protect access to care.

Studies mentioned in the episode:

Health insurance status and cancer stage at diagnosis and survival in the United States: https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.3322/caac.21732

How ACA Tax Credits Impact Patients With Chronic Conditions:
https://www.oliverwyman.com/our-expertise/insights/2024/sep/premium-tax-credit-ending-chronic-conditions-at-risk.html

Cancer Patients & Survivors Overwhelmingly Support Extending ACA Enhanced Tax Credits:
https://www.fightcancer.org/policy-resources/cancer-patients-survivors-overwhelmingly-support-extending-aca-enhanced-tax-credits

Guest Bio:

Pam Traxel serves as the Senior Vice President for ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the America Cancer Society. Pam is responsible for helping ACS CAN develop relationships with companies and individuals to help further the fight against cancer through dynamic partnerships, events, and forums. Pam began her career with ACS CAN in 2007. She has been integrally involved in helping to establish ACS CAN as a nationwide advocacy organization that influences and shapes public policy at all levels of government to impact our mission and to represent the voices of all cancer patients and their families.

As the Federation of American Hospitals (FAH) prepares for a pivotal year ahead, this special episode takes a moment to reflect on the progress made in health care policy and the challenges and opportunities on the horizon. Join host Chip Kahn as he sits down with retiring Executive Vice President of Policy, Steve Speil, to discuss his nearly four decades of experience in health care policy and his reflections on his remarkable 27-year tenure at FAH.

Steve’s career has spanned transformative decades in health care, from his early days in Massachusetts state health planning to tackling the evolving complexities of hospital policy in Washington, D.C. His insights in health care policy and the hospital community's resilience shine a light on how far we've come—and the work still ahead to ensure patients have access to 24/7 care.

In this episode, Chip and Steve discuss:

• Steve's Career Journey Leading to FAH: From a Master in Public Health to law school and a career spanning Massachusetts state health planning, the Dukakis administration, AdvaMed, and ultimately the Federation of American Hospitals.
• Early Days at FAH: A look back at the early years of Steve’s time at FAH, navigating key regulations like IPPS and legislation including the Balanced Budget Act.
• Changing Landscape of Health Policy: Steve reflects on accomplishments during his tenure and insights into how hospital policy has evolved, now facing increased burdens.
• Opportunities Ahead: Steve discusses the continued resilience of hospitals in the face of challenges and the critical role of organizations like FAH in supporting hospitals and the communities they serve.

Guest bio:

In his capacity as Executive Vice President of Policy, Steve Speil manages the Federation’s broad portfolio of payment policy issues. He serves as the association’s chief liaison on these issues with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. Working closely with the senior finance and policy executives in the Federation’s member companies, Steve develops and carries out both issue-specific and general strategic plans designed to advance the finance and payment related regulatory and legislative interests of the FAH.

Prior to joining the Federation, Steve served as Associate Vice President, Policy Coordination and Communication for the Health Industry Manufacturers Association (now AdvaMed), the national trade group representing the medical technology industry. Before moving to Washington, Steve held a succession of increasingly senior management and policy positions in Massachusetts. During his time in the Bay State, Steve served as Legal Counsel to the Lieutenant Governor, Legislative Counsel for the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Executive Director of the Disabled Persons Protection Commission, and Legal Counsel and Policy Director in the Office of State Health Planning. Steve also taught health law and policy as an Assistant Professor at Simmons College Graduate Program of Health Administration.

At the federal level, Steve served in the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs. He also worked in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of General Counsel.

Steve earned a J.D. degree from American University’s Washington College of Law; a Master in Public Health degree in Health Administration from the University of North Carolina School of Public Health; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology/Zoology from the University of Michigan.

In this episode of Hospitals in Focus, host Chip Kahn explores the digital renaissance revolutionizing health care—a golden age of pioneering technologies not seen since the 1960s, when computers first standardized medical records and diagnostics. Today, with nearly everything digitized, organizations are actively discussing the regulatory and ethical frameworks necessary to navigate these advancements, while protecting against the increasing prevalence of cyber threats.

The future of health care looks promising thanks to new innovations, but thoughtful implementation is crucial, and Ardent Health is leading the way forward.

Joining Chip on the episode is Anika Gardenhire, Ardent Health’s inaugural Chief Digital and Information Officer, to explore how Ardent is thoughtfully embracing digital innovation with reason and purpose.

In this episode, Chip and Anika discuss:

• Conceptual Frameworks for Digital Transformation: The importance of leveraging data to drive innovation and improve patient outcomes.
• Use Cases at Ardent Health: Examples where Ardent Health is implementing digital solutions to enhance operational efficiency and patient care.
• Cybersecurity and Protecting Patient Information: Strategies for safeguarding patient data against cyberattacks in an increasingly digital landscape.

Guest Bio:

As chief digital information officer, Ms. Gardenhire oversees the development and implementation of Ardent's digital strategy across the organization. She is responsible for ensuring digital initiatives are fully integrated into Ardent's strategic plan with a focus on leveraging data to support digital transformation. Ms. Gardenhire also oversees Ardent’s IT infrastructure and systems, as well as data strategy and governance.

An experienced caregiver and clinical informatics leader, Ms. Gardenhire joined Ardent in September of 2023, and has previously served as chief digital officer and regional vice president of digital and clinical systems at Centene Corporation. She also held various roles at Intermountain Healthcare, including assistant vice president of digital transformation. Ms. Gardenhire holds a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of South Carolina’s Mary Black School of Nursing and master’s degrees in clinical informatics and management from Duke University.