In this episode of Medical Matters Podcast, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormick discuss the potential for issues in the wake of the federal government shutdown. The doctors discuss the Affordable Care Act, benefits and drawbacks, along with the available providers and costs.

Medicare and Medicaid are also examined, and possible ways to make the programs more affordable and accessible to younger segments of the population.

In addition, a cautionary tale is offered about the dangers of not signing up for Social Security, Medicare and other available benefits.

In this episode of the Medical Matters Podcast, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormick discuss the use of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare.

There are concerns that mechanized treatment and therapy, when devoid of the human element, could allow AI to make value judgments, potentially resulting in less-than-ideal outcomes. A recent study by Stanford University is referenced here.

Building on this, while the use of chatbots may be helpful for simple answers to questions or advice (as seen in recent TV commercials), the hosts point out that the nuances of patient treatment run much deeper. They also discuss mental health treatment, noting potential concerns that AI may not detect all the complexities involved.

Further evaluations of AI's potential issues are examined in this article from DPA International.

(Note: despite the ending of federal funding for expansion of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the service is still available, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in need, 988 is there.)

In this episode, the doctors discuss the availability of medical assistance, especially home care aid.

Medicaid, the low rates offered, and the low rate of pay many home care professionals earn are among the topics, along with concerns about what assistance may remain for those in need, with Congress's passing of President Trump's tax and spending package.

In this episode of Medical Matters Podcast, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormick discuss the increase in Early Onset Cancer. Studies show on average there has been a one to two-percent increase in cancers diagnosed in adults aged 18 to 49.

The doctors cite the changing manifestation of tumors, but also possible reasons, including lifestyle and environment. Reasons are examined in this article from UChicagoMedicine -- further, this recent examination of the issue by Yale Medicine offers evidence that cancers in younger people show some differences.

Here, the American Cancer Society offers the ages for routine screening for several cancers.

Season 4 of "Medical Matters Podcast" opens 2025 with a discussion on processed foods, and what is in much of our foods. Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormick discuss the state of our food supply, and how the preservatives and additives can cause harm.

Many of these are in hundreds of everyday items, and the doctors discuss what these can do, and how to avoid them and move toward healthier eating.

A Harvard study from last year offers an in-depth study.

In this episode of Medical Matters Podcast, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormick discuss some of President-Elect Trump's cabinet and agency head choices. Among these: the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as Director of the Department of Health & Human Services, TV host Dr. Mehmet Oz is slated to oversee Medicare and Medicaid services. Details of some of Trump's picks can be found here.

The doctors will consider some of the selections, and what these mean for you, and your healthcare.

In this episode, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormack discuss how patient, hospital, and healthcare data can be at risk from cyberattacks.

The recent Change Healthcare data breach is examined. UnitedHealth Group's (UHG) subsidiary was victimized by a ransomware attack that impacted more than 100 million individuals. The doctors discuss this HIPAA report and consider what patients might do to protect themselves.

The subject is also considered here.

In this episode of Medical Matters Podcast, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormack remind listeners it is time to think about getting your flu shot and updating with the new COVID vaccine.

The main focus of the podcast is the annual Commonwealth Fund report for 2024, which compared the US healthcare system to nine other highly developed nations to determine not only where we stand, but in an effort to find areas of improvement.

The report is divided into nine sections that include overall performance, access to care, health outcomes and especially, what the US can do to improve. The full report can be read here.