In Episode 134 of DC EKG, former CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield joins Joe Grogan to discuss his new book, Redfield's Warning, and break down three major threats to public health: Long COVID, Hantavirus, and bird flu. Dr. Redfield explains the persistent viral reservoirs in long COVID patients, the cognitive dysfunction and autonomic dysfunction that devastate these individuals, and why the federal government must partner with the private sector to develop meaningful treatments. He also walks through the current Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, the human-to-human transmission of the Andes virus strain, and why bird flu is the most likely candidate for the next pandemic. Throughout, Dr. Redfield emphasizes the critical importance of antiviral development and the dangers of gain-of-function research.

In This Conversation

The current Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship and human-to-human transmission

The Andes virus strain and why it differs from Sin Nombre and Four Corners Disease

Two transmission routes: aerosolization and direct contamination

Asymptomatic transmission and the intrinsic bias in testing

Why has the US government not developed Hantavirus countermeasures in 70 years

Bird flu is the most likely candidate for the next pandemic.

Gain-of-function research and the public disclosure of dangerous genetic data

Long COVID: viral reservoirs and the need for effective antiviral treatments

Why antivirals should be the priority over vaccines for emerging viruses

Operation Warp Speed and the importance of private sector partnerships

The dismissal of long COVID patients as psychosomatic and the need for validation

Key Timestamps

1:49 Details of the Hantavirus outbreak and cruise ship cases

3:00 Two methods of transmission: aerosolization and direct contamination

5:24 Asymptomatic transmission and testing bias

10:35 The Hantavirus family and why the Andes virus goes from human to human

12:35 How nervous should the public be

16:43 Shifting to bird flu and Redfield's Warning

19:00 Bird flu spread in US poultry and mammal populations

22:00 The four amino acids for bird flu to infect humans

23:30 The debate with Fauci over gain-of-function research

27:55 Unregulated gain-of-function research worldwide

33:35 Why antivirals should be the priority

37:55 Long COVID viral reservoirs and treatment gaps

42:37 The economic burden and need for solutions

43:57 The story of Joy and psychiatric misdiagnosis of long COVID

48:12 The solvability of long COVID and the importance of investing

Hantavirus, Hantavirus transmission, Andes virus, Sin Nombre virus, Four Corners Disease, cruise ship outbreak, bird flu, avian influenza, gain of function research, Dr. Robert Redfield, CDC Director, antivirals, vaccines, long COVID, pandemic preparedness, infectious disease, virology, Redfield's Warning

About the Guest

Dr. Robert Redfield is the former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A trained virologist with decades of experience in infectious disease, he has been a leading voice on public health policy, pandemic preparedness, and biosecurity. He is the author of Redfield's Warning: What I Learned as CDC Director and What We Must Do to Be Prepared for the Next Pandemic, available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Redfields-Warning-Learned-Couldnt-Might/dp/1510785051

Podcast: DC EKG with Joe Grogan

Episode: 134

Guest: Dr. Robert Redfield, former CDC Director

Sponsor: Survivors for Solutions –

https://survivorsforsolutions.org

Executive Producer: John "CZ" Czwartacki, DC EKG Podcast

Producer: Stay on Course Studios –

https://www.stayoncourse.studio

In Episode 132 of DC EKG, Joe Grogan sits down with Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau for a timely discussion on Hungary’s election, Viktor Orbán’s loss, and what comes next under Peter Magyar. Christiaan explains why the size of the election wipeout surprised even seasoned observers, why the mainstream narrative about democracy in Hungary misses key facts, and why the new Hungarian parliament remains entirely on the right side of the political spectrum.

Joe and Christiaan break down the structure of Hungary’s political system, the collapse of Orbán’s long-running coalition, the rise of Peter Magyar out of a political scandal, and the challenge of governing with a brand new party full of political newcomers. They also discuss whether Western media is misreading the result as a rejection of conservatism and why the more important question may be whether the new government has the experience to govern effectively.

The second half of the episode turns to Hungary’s position on Russia and Ukraine, the country’s cultural conservatism, the future of its relationship with the European Union, and the dangers of revenge politics after a major political transition. This is a wide-ranging conversation on democracy, power, media narratives, and the future of Hungary in Europe.

In This Conversation

What happened in Hungary and why Orbán lost so badly

Who Peter Magyar is and why his rise shocked the political class

Why Hungary’s new parliament is still entirely right of center

What the election means for democracy and conservatism

Hungary’s position on Russia Ukraine and the European Union

Why the competence of the new government may matter more than ideology

The risks of revenge politics after a major political transition

Timestamps0:00 Is Hungary’s election really a repudiation of conservatism0:55 Joe welcomes Christiaan Alting von Geusau1:14 Christiaan’s background and his dual US Dutch perspective4:00 Why Hungary matters and what makes its politics unique5:30 What happened in Hungary and why the wipeout was so large10:06 How Hungary’s electoral system magnified the result11:48 What happened to Fidesz and the Christian Democrats12:37 Why the new parliament is still entirely right of center16:00 The scandal that changed Hungarian politics18:20 Peter Magyar’s rise and political comeback20:00 Who Peter Magyar is and what he believes22:50 What changes Peter Magyar is likely to make24:00 The risks of governing with political newcomers28:50 What this means for Russia Ukraine and the EU34:33 Will Hungary remain culturally conservative36:34 Are Western media misreading the result41:06 Has Christiaan’s view changed since election night43:24 The economic challenges facing the new government44:04 Why revenge politics can damage a country48:03 Outro

Hungary election, Viktor Orban, Peter Magyar, Christiaan Alting von Geusau, Fidesz, Christian Democrats, Hungary politics, European Union, Russia Ukraine war, democracy, conservatism, revenge politics, cultural conservatism, political transition, DC EKG

About Our GuestDr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau is a lawyer, professor, advisor, and host of the podcast The Educated Leader. Born in the United States and raised in The Netherlands, he studied law at Leiden University and Heidelberg University and earned his doctorate in philosophy of law at the University of Vienna. He leads the International Catholic Legislators Network, serves as principal of Ambrose Advice, and is Rector emeritus and Professor for Philosophy of Law and Education at ITI Catholic University in Austria.

Podcast: DC EKG with Joe GroganEpisode: 132Guest: Dr. Christiaan Alting von GeusauSponsor: Survivors for Solutions – https://survivorsforsolutions.orgExecutive Producer: John “CZ” Czwartacki, DC EKG PodcastProducer: Stay on Course Studios – https://www.stayoncourse.studio

In Episode 131 of DC EKG, Joe Grogan sits down with Dr. John Goodman to discuss what both parties continue to get wrong about healthcare, why patient incentives still matter, and how market-based reforms could lower costs and improve access. Drawing on decades of work in health economics and policy, Dr. Goodman explains how special interests helped shape Obamacare, why supply-side constraints still distort care, and why patients are too often left out of the policymaking process.

The conversation then turns to Health Savings Accounts, Medicaid reform, emergency room overuse, and why policymakers remain so resistant to giving patients more control over healthcare dollars. Dr. Goodman also outlines his view that self-directed care and consumer choice can improve value and expand access, especially for vulnerable populations.

In the second half, Joe and Dr. Goodman dive into reference pricing as a major reform idea. Using real-world examples, they discuss how clearer prices and patient-driven decision-making could create more meaningful competition across healthcare markets. The episode closes with a broader conversation on bipartisan reform, the tax code, and why durable change remains so hard to achieve in Washington.

In This Conversation

What both parties keep getting wrong about healthcare

How special interests shaped Obamacare and why patients were left out

Why HSAs remain controversial and what they change about incentives

Medicaid reform, emergency room use, and patient access

How self-directed care can improve outcomes and satisfaction

What reference pricing is and why it could create real competition

Why bipartisan healthcare reform keeps breaking down in Washington

Timestamps0:00 How special interests shaped Obamacare0:46 Joe welcomes Dr. John Goodman1:09 Dr. Goodman’s background and the origins of HSAs5:22 What both parties get wrong about healthcare7:36 Why physician supply stays restricted9:26 Spending more without getting healthier14:16 What Washington should actually be debating15:52 Insurance that meets patients’ needs20:06 HSAs and consumer-directed care22:29 Why Medicaid patients rely more on emergency rooms24:50 Medicaid reform and letting patients pay the difference28:07 Self-directed care and “Cash and Counseling.”29:35 Reference pricing explained32:14 How reference pricing could reshape insurance markets36:06 Why Dr. Goodman is optimistic40:36 The tax code and healthcare policy44:22 Where to find Dr. Goodman’s work45:42 Outro

Obamacare, health savings accounts, HSA, John Goodman, Joe Grogan, healthcare reform, healthcare policy, Medicaid reform, emergency room visits, patient incentives, consumer-directed care, reference pricing, tax policy, bipartisan reform, healthcare economics

About Our GuestJohn C. Goodman is President of the Goodman Institute for Public Policy Research and is widely known for his work in health economics, Health Savings Accounts, and consumer-directed healthcare reform.

Podcast: DC EKG with Joe GroganEpisode: 131Guest: John C. GoodmanSponsor: Survivors for Solutions – https://survivorsforsolutions.orgExecutive Producer: John “CZ” Czwartacki, DC EKG PodcastProducer: Stay on Course Studios – https://www.stayoncourse.studio

In Episode 130 of DC EKG, Joe Grogan sits down with Ryan Long to unpack two policy stories that are driving real-world drug costs and healthcare spending: the 340B program and the fallout from Medicare Part D changes under the Inflation Reduction Act.

Ryan explains why the current 340B structure can incentivize higher costs, hospital consolidation, and contract pharmacy expansion, while often directing the biggest windfalls toward larger, wealthier systems rather than truly resource-constrained hospitals. They cover contract pharmacies, exposure to diversion and fraud, Medicare Part B reimbursement dynamics, and why reforms need to address the incentives baked into the program.

They then turn to Medicare Part D, the shift from copays to coinsurance, premium pressure, the accelerated move into “catastrophic” coverage, and what happens when Washington promises savings that do not materialize. The episode closes with a broader look at fraud, program integrity, and why durable reform requires Congress to act.

In This Conversation

• Why does 340B incentivize higher costs and hospital consolidation

• Contract pharmacies, diversion risk, and fraud exposure

• Who really benefits from 340B and why rural hospitals can lose out

• Medicare Part D premium pressure and the IRA tradeoffs

• Copays vs coinsurance and what seniors experience at the pharmacy counter

• Fraud, program integrity, and why limited resources should go to patients who need them

Timestamps0:00 Why the 340B structure drives higher costs and consolidation0:37 Ryan Long joins Joe1:13 What has changed in 340B, and why it is getting attention6:57 Payer mix, spreads, and why wealthier systems benefit more11:06 How 340B expanded post-2010 and contract pharmacies16:56 Why contract pharmacy reform alone does not fix the incentives22:11 Medicare Part D and what the IRA changed24:23 Explaining the donut hole28:54 Premium increases, catastrophic coverage, and cost shifting32:26 Copays to coinsurance and unexpected out-of-pocket changes40:37 Fraud exposure and program integrity52:09 Where to find Ryan’s work52:38 Outro

340B program, contract pharmacy, hospital consolidation, drug pricing, Medicare Part D, Medicaid rebate, Affordable Care Act, healthcare spending, healthcare costs, fraud exposure, policy impact, legislative reform, patient assistance

About Our GuestRyan Long is a Fellow at the Paragon Health Institute and a Scholar at the USC Schaeffer Center. He previously served as health policy lead for Speaker Kevin McCarthy and is a longtime Energy and Commerce veteran focused on drug pricing, Medicare, Medicaid, and healthcare spending reform.

Podcast: DC EKG with Joe GroganEpisode: 130Guest: Ryan LongSponsor: Survivors for Solutions – https://survivorsforsolutions.orgExecutive Producer: John “CZ” Czwartacki, DC EKG PodcastProducer: Stay on Course Studios – https://www.stayoncourse.studio

In Episode 130 of DC EKG, Joe Grogan sits down with Ryan Long to unpack two policy stories that are driving real-world drug costs and healthcare spending: the 340B program and the fallout from Medicare Part D changes under the Inflation Reduction Act.

Ryan explains why the current 340B structure can incentivize higher costs, hospital consolidation, and contract pharmacy expansion, while often directing the biggest windfalls toward larger, wealthier systems rather than truly resource-constrained hospitals. They cover contract pharmacies, exposure to diversion and fraud, Medicare Part B reimbursement dynamics, and why reforms need to address the incentives baked into the program.

They then turn to Medicare Part D, the shift from copays to coinsurance, premium pressure, the accelerated move into “catastrophic” coverage, and what happens when Washington promises savings that do not materialize. The episode closes with a broader look at fraud, program integrity, and why durable reform requires Congress to act.

In This Conversation

• Why does 340B incentivize higher costs and hospital consolidation

• Contract pharmacies, diversion risk, and fraud exposure

• Who really benefits from 340B and why rural hospitals can lose out

• Medicare Part D premium pressure and the IRA tradeoffs

• Copays vs coinsurance and what seniors experience at the pharmacy counter

• Fraud, program integrity, and why limited resources should go to patients who need them

Timestamps0:00 Why the 340B structure drives higher costs and consolidation0:37 Ryan Long joins Joe1:13 What has changed in 340B, and why it is getting attention6:57 Payer mix, spreads, and why wealthier systems benefit more11:06 How 340B expanded post-2010 and contract pharmacies16:56 Why contract pharmacy reform alone does not fix the incentives22:11 Medicare Part D and what the IRA changed24:23 Explaining the donut hole28:54 Premium increases, catastrophic coverage, and cost shifting32:26 Copays to coinsurance and unexpected out-of-pocket changes40:37 Fraud exposure and program integrity52:09 Where to find Ryan’s work52:38 Outro

340B program, contract pharmacy, hospital consolidation, drug pricing, Medicare Part D, Medicaid rebate, Affordable Care Act, healthcare spending, healthcare costs, fraud exposure, policy impact, legislative reform, patient assistance

About Our GuestRyan Long is a Fellow at the Paragon Health Institute and a Scholar at the USC Schaeffer Center. He previously served as health policy lead for Speaker Kevin McCarthy and is a longtime Energy and Commerce veteran focused on drug pricing, Medicare, Medicaid, and healthcare spending reform.

Podcast: DC EKG with Joe GroganEpisode: 130Guest: Ryan LongSponsor: Survivors for Solutions – https://survivorsforsolutions.orgExecutive Producer: John “CZ” Czwartacki, DC EKG PodcastProducer: Stay on Course Studios – https://www.stayoncourse.studio

In Episode 129 of DC EKG, Joe Grogan sits down with returning guest Adam Thierer, Resident Senior Fellow for Technology and Innovation at the R Street Institute, to break down the surge of state by state AI laws and why a patchwork approach could slow innovation, especially in healthcare.

Adam explains how more than a thousand state AI bills are flooding the zone, what types of “everything bills” are emerging, and why some states are trying to set national standards from Albany or Sacramento. Joe and Adam connect the federalism debate to real world health innovation, including mental health chatbots, algorithmic discrimination laws, and why compliance costs hit “little tech” hardest.

They also discuss Adam’s “AI Articles of Confederation” framing, the failed effort to create a federal moratorium on state AI rules, and what a better model could look like, such as regulatory inventories, learning labs, and sandbox style approaches that allow experimentation without shutting innovation down.

Key link: https://www.rstreet.org/commentary/congress-should-lead-on-ai-policy-not-the-states/

In This Conversation

• Why state AI bills are accelerating and what is driving them

• “Mega measures” that try to regulate frontier models, child safety, jobs, and copyright in one bill

• New York and California style rulemaking with national spillover

• The Micron example and how permitting and lawsuits can stop progress

• Algorithmic discrimination laws and why healthcare gets hit hardest

• Mental health chatbot bans and the access and workforce tradeoffs

• Preemption and why Congress keeps punting

• Alternative models: inventories, learning labs, sandboxes, and targeted gap fixes

Timestamps0:00 What is happening with state AI bills right now1:36 Adam’s background and how he got into AI policy5:55 The shift from federal regulation to state action10:27 What these state bills try to regulate13:29 Micron, permitting delays, and stopping progress20:00 Why some red states are pushing AI Bills of Rights26:24 “AI Articles of Confederation” and why it matters31:01 The attempted moratorium in the “big, beautiful bill”38:03 Preview of “The AI Terrible Ten” and worst state models39:43 Mental health chatbot bans and the mental health crisis44:25 What governors should do instead of rushing to regulate49:05 What Adam is tracking next51:48 What AI tools Adam uses52:42 Where to find Adam’s work

SEO Keywordsstate AI laws, AI policy, federal preemption, healthcare innovation, algorithmic discrimination, mental health chatbots, interoperability, AI regulation

About Our GuestAdam Thierer is a Resident Senior Fellow at the R Street Institute focused on technology and innovation policy. He writes and speaks widely on AI governance, federalism and preemption, and how regulatory models can either accelerate or stall innovation, including in healthcare.

Podcast: DC EKG with Joe GroganEpisode: 129Guest: Adam Thierer, Resident Senior Fellow, Technology and Innovation, R Street InstituteSponsor: Survivors for Solutions – https://survivorsforsolutions.orgExecutive Producer: John “CZ” Czwartacki, DC EKG PodcastProducer: Julie Riga, Stay on Course Studios – https://www.stayoncourse.studio