Welcome back to Patients Win, the podcast where we flip the script on healthcare and put power back into your hands. In today’s episode, hosts Troy Reichert and Dr. Jonathan Bushman are joined by special guest Katy Talento, whose career spans from the halls of the White House to the boardrooms of sharing ministries, and who brings a unique, inside perspective on health policy, employer benefit design, and the future of care in America.

Together, they tackle pressing questions: Why are we sicker, more medicated, and more anxious than ever before, despite unprecedented spending on healthcare? What’s really driving up costs in a system “eating our economy” and “stealing the American dream from the middle class”? Katy Talento shares candid stories from her time shaping healthcare policy in the Senate and advising in the White House, gets real about the dysfunctions she witnessed, and explains how the COVID-19 pandemic sparked a powerful shift in public trust and personal health journeys.

We’ll pull back the curtain on the legislative battles over price transparency, the structural barriers holding back direct contracting and cash pay at scale, and why bold change is finally disrupting the system from both the inside out. Plus, hear Katy Talento’s uncompromising take on how America can reclaim its health and what every patient, yes, you, needs to do to start winning in today’s healthcare marketplace.

This isn’t just about politics or policy; it’s about hope, action, and a community refusing to settle for less. Let’s get started.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Patients Win podcast

06:09 Joining the 2016 transition team

08:15 Frustrations with Medicare doc fix

10:50 Debate prep for Hillary Clinton

15:40 Becoming a naturopathic doctor

17:58 Trust in primary care growth

20:28 Advocating for direct primary care

25:24 Republicans challenging private industry

29:13 Winning the policy argument

31:45 Major changes in healthcare law

34:28 Challenges with cash pay in healthcare

36:23 Challenges with TPA licensing and systems

42:14 Women's bodies under work stress

43:04 Balancing Medicine with Business Advice

45:55 Appreciating impactful healthcare work

Show Website - https://thepatientswin.com/

Primed Healthcare - https://primedhealthcare.com/

Troy Reichert - Show Host - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-reichert-67606b5/

Dr. Jonathan Bushman - Show Host - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-bushman-do-106821191

Media Partner - TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Welcome to another episode of Patients Win, the show where we dig deep into the realities of our healthcare system and highlight the stories and strategies that are giving patients a real voice in their care. In this episode, hosts Troy Reichert and Dr. Jonathan Bushman sit down with Tiffany Ryder, whose unconventional journey spans from NFL cheerleader to PA, to her current work in journalism, to explore the systemic challenges in healthcare that keep patients from getting the care they need.

Tiffany Ryder openly shares her personal and professional evolution: from early encounters with misdiagnosed health conditions and a firsthand look at the pitfalls of the medical system, to the jarring realities she faced working in emergency medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. She discusses the moral dilemmas and contractual restrictions that prevented her from recommending more affordable or accessible care options and what ultimately drove her to step outside the system to advocate for patients through storytelling and education.

Join us as we unpack the emotional toll of working in a flawed system, the power of transparent communication, and the hope that comes from empowered patients and providers alike. Whether you're a patient, a provider, or someone invested in the future of healthcare, this conversation will give you a new perspective and maybe even a little hope that change is possible when patients win.

Timestamps:

00:00 "Unexpected Paths to Purpose"

04:04 Early Medical System Experiences

08:08 Rethinking Career in Healthcare

12:03 "Upstream Solutions for Better Care"

14:14 Primary Care Challenges During COVID

18:16 Healthcare Access and System Inefficiencies

20:25 Patients Lost in System Struggles

23:33 "Questioning a Broken Healthcare System"

28:41 "Redefining Patient-Centered Care"

32:32 Empowering Patients in Healthcare Advocacy

35:08 "Clinician's Perspective on Lifelong Learning"

39:33 Challenging Paternalism in Healthcare

42:36 Empowered Choices for Better Health

44:54 "Podcast Paused, Writing Continues"

Show Website - https://thepatientswin.com/

Primed Healthcare - https://primedhealthcare.com/

Troy Reichert - Show Host - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-reichert-67606b5/

Dr. Jonathan Bushman - Show Host - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-bushman-do-106821191

Media Partner - TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

On this episode of Patients Win, we’re flipping the script on healthcare with a powerful conversation about real change, resilience, and the mission to put patients first. Hosts Troy Reichert and Dr. Jonathan Bushman welcome special guest Tracy Creger: a nurse, patient advocate, and president of Connect Benefits, whose personal journey from the frontline of nursing to healthcare innovation is nothing short of inspiring.

You’ll hear the remarkable story of how witnessing first-hand the devastating financial burden on insured patients fueled Tracy Creger's determination to fix a broken system. The episode dives into how direct contracting and true concierge nurse navigation are changing the game for both employers and employees. Together, the hosts and Tracy Creger explore why fear and the unknown keep many from embracing better solutions, and share compelling stories where patients not only receive needed care, but also avoid the financial ruin so many dread.

Whether you’re a provider, broker, plan sponsor, or patient, this uplifting episode is packed with actionable insights, personal breakthroughs, and a message of hope: when patients win, we all win. If you’ve ever wondered how healthcare can truly be transformed, this conversation is a must-listen.

Timestamps:

00:00 "Patients Win: Empowering Healthcare"

04:52 "Uncovering Flaws in Healthcare System"

09:00 "Cost-Saving Benefits Boost Productivity"

11:05 "When Patients Win, We Thrive"

14:03 Simplifying Healthcare Access Assistance

17:42 "Addressing Fear and Fixing Issues"

22:02 "Stopping Costs, Offering Guidance"

25:18 Seamless Collaboration for Member Care

27:26 "Healthcare Pricing System Broken"

31:48 "Continuous Growth and Education"

33:17 "Patients Win: Healthcare Redefined"

Show Website - https://thepatientswin.com/

Primed Healthcare - https://primedhealthcare.com/

Troy Reichert - Show Host - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-reichert-67606b5/

Dr. Jonathan Bushman - Show Host - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-bushman-do-106821191

Media Partner - TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”