Welcome back to Last Month in Healthcare! This month, Spencer, Nathaniel, and special guest Jonathan Lopez break down the most impactful healthcare headlines and regulatory shifts from May 2026.
The episode kicks off with a discussion on the sudden resignation of FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary following reported clashes with the food, tobacco, and pharmaceutical industries. From there, the guys dive into the shocking 58% premium hikes and 37% deductible increases hitting the ACA marketplace as carriers like Cigna exit the space.
Finally, Spencer and Jonathan play a World Cup-themed game guessing the cost of medical procedures across different North American cities and answer a listener question about Cost Plus Drugs and the rise of direct-to-consumer pharmacy models.
If you'd like your question answered on next month's episode, call/text 469-213-6381 and leave us a voicemail/text.
Thank you to our sponsor, Walk On Clinic. This month, we shared a tragic reminder to our listeners on the critical importance of early cancer detection and proactive primary care.
To hear Chris's brother-in-law's music, tune in here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1SKw4DO9FNLjcZDb5Q81q4?si=Dwpuz2wOTRawhMDfR5NIsA
"The average marketplace deductible grew by about $1,000 per person in 2026. Premium payments increased by an average of 58%... We might be seeing the death throes of the fully insured market."
Episode Chapters:
(00:00:00) Intro: The Importance of Early Detection & Walk-On Clinic
(00:02:30) Dr. Marty Makary Resigns as FDA Commissioner
(00:04:37) ACA Marketplace Premiums Skyrocket by 58%
(00:07:51) HR 8163: Stopping the Squeeze on Physician Reimbursements
(00:12:34) Harvard Study: AI Outperforms Doctors in ER Triage
(00:14:53) The FDA's Push for Hospital-at-Home Devices
(00:17:18) Game: Guess the Procedure Cost (World Cup Edition)
(00:21:22) Ask Spencer Anything: Cost Plus Drugs & D2C Pharmacies
