Welcome to Relocalizing Health. In this episode, Dave Chase sits down with Brian Adesso, Director of Business Services for the Menasha Joint School District and President of the Employer Healthcare Cooperative of Wisconsin (EHCW), to explore how a group of Wisconsin employers, including school districts and private companies, joined forces to fight skyrocketing healthcare costs. Together, they created a cooperative model that now covers over 23,000 people and has cut out-of-pocket expenses for employees by nearly half, all in one of the highest-priced hospital markets in the nation.

Dave Chase and Brian Adesso discuss why traditional health plans were devastating school budgets, how pooling resources and ownership led to direct provider negotiations, and the powerful impact of local control. They share lessons learned from building trust, overcoming skepticism, and expanding the cooperative’s reach, along with stories about improved benefits that are making a difference for teachers, staff, and other public employees. Whether you’re a district administrator, a city manager, or a private sector employer feeling the squeeze of rising premiums, this episode breaks down practical steps and inspiration for taking ownership of healthcare in your community.

Timestamps:

00:00 Healthcare cost challenges and solutions

06:13 Concerns about AI in healthcare

06:57 Coding intensity in healthcare

10:15 Change in provider-employer relationships

15:40 Challenges of switching insurance plans

16:36 Healthcare coverage for pregnancies

20:44 Discussing community-owned health plans

23:33 Community and ownership in cooperatives

28:09 Employer Healthcare Cooperative growth story

29:15 School district healthcare solutions

Learn More:

RosettaFest 2027 - https://rosettafest.org/

Health Rosetta - http://healthrosetta.org/

Nautilus - https://www.nautilushealth.org/

Kynexions - https://kynexions.com/

Dave Chase - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasedave/

Podcast Website - https://relocalizinghealth.com/

Welcome back to Relocalizing Health with Dave Chase. In this episode, Dave explores how communities can reclaim control over their healthcare dollars, drawing inspiration from cooperative models both in American history and abroad. Only about 15.5 cents of every healthcare dollar actually reach clinicians, with much of the money leaving local communities. He shares stories of towns and employers across the U.S. building local, community-owned health plans, without waiting for Congress or federal policy. Learn how the cooperative spirit that powered rural electrification, credit unions, and European health systems can offer a blueprint for sustainable, grassroots healthcare transformation right in your county. If you’re a civic leader, employer, medical professional, or simply a concerned neighbor, this episode will show you practical steps your community can take to build a healthier, more resilient future, starting today.

Timestamps:

00:00 Building the future of healthcare

05:34 European health system origins

09:25 Community health ownership models

11:09 Developing a Community Health Plan

16:06 Local healthcare cooperation and collaboration

17:34 Additional resources and book info

Learn More:

RosettaFest 2027 - https://rosettafest.org/

Health Rosetta - http://healthrosetta.org/

Nautilus - https://www.nautilushealth.org/

Kynexions - https://kynexions.com/

Dave Chase - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasedave/

Podcast Website - https://relocalizinghealth.com/

Welcome back to Relocalizing Health. In this episode, host Dave Chase sits down with Charles Marohn, founder of Strong Towns and renowned author, to explore what it truly means for a town to be "strong." Drawing analogies from the built environment and decades of on-the-ground civic work, Chuck shares how robust communities rely not just on fiscal sustainability or infrastructure, but on engaged citizens who are empowered to solve problems collaboratively. Together, they dive into stories of transformation in places like Ashtabula County, Ohio, discuss the cultural and mindset shifts necessary for local change, and outline practical frameworks for making meaningful progress, one small step at a time. Whether you’re a civic leader, public sector employee, or just someone who cares deeply about your community's well-being, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to roll up your sleeves to co-create healthier, more resilient places.

Timestamps:

00:00 Defining sustainable city development

04:41 Struggling Ohio school district finances

08:46 Using relatable examples for change

10:33 Engaging the local community

15:21 Rethinking public investment strategies

17:29 Businesslike approach to running cities

22:48 Implementing community development projects

26:16 Southcentral Foundation's healthcare transformation

29:49 City council meeting dynamics

30:32 Creating an equal meeting environment

36:40 Importance of community dialogue

38:02 Wrapping up healthcare insights

Ashtabula story:

Short version - https://relocalizinghealth.com/episode/case-study-the-poorest-county-in-ohio-kept-450-million-home-and-changed-everything

Full Conversation with Bryce Heinbaugh - https://relocalizinghealth.com/episode/how-community-owned-health-plans-are-transforming-healthcare-and-boosting-local-economies

Full Conversation with Dr. Brad Schneider, Maria Fowler, and Casey Billington - https://relocalizinghealth.com/episode/how-ashtabula-county-reclaimed-healthcare-direct-care-and-community-plans-beat-corporate-systems

Learn More:

RosettaFest 2026 - https://rosettafest.org/

Health Rosetta - http://healthrosetta.org/

Nautilus - https://www.nautilushealth.org/

Kynexions - https://kynexions.com/

Dave Chase - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasedave/

Podcast Website - https://relocalizinghealth.com/