Welcome to Relocalizing Health. In this episode, we shine a light on Plainfield, Indiana, a town just west of Indianapolis, where public sector employees like police officers, firefighters, and public works staff were once priced out of their own healthcare. Nate Thorne, assistant town manager, joins us to share how Plainfield broke free from years of rising premiums and shrinking paychecks, fundamentally transforming its approach to employee health benefits.

Instead of accepting sky-high insurance costs as an inevitable “healthcare trend,” Plainfield’s leadership took courageous steps: moving to a self-insured health plan, forging a direct contract with their local hospital, and reimagining benefits so workers now pay zero deductibles and co-pays, with real dollars flowing back into their households. These savings built meaningful new programs like mental health support and childcare assistance, and Nate Thorne and his team are on a mission to show other cities and counties that there is a better way.

Whether you manage a city, run HR for a school district, or just want a behind-the-scenes look at how local governments can invest in their people and communities, this episode brings you the story, the lessons, and the playbook, direct from a Rosie Award finalist, on how to take back control of your health plan and rethink what’s possible for your workforce.

Timestamps:

00:00 Challenges of municipal worker benefits

04:21 Facing rising insurance costs

07:24 Challenge of risk in public policy

11:46 Implementing a Self-Insured Program

16:10 Managing healthcare spending changes

18:07 Cost-saving strategies for healthcare plans

22:02 Creative funding for employee benefits

26:18 Leadership and gradual progress advice

28:52 Challenges in the public sector

32:02 Managing retiree health benefits

35:13 Employee survey results on premiums

37:25 Annual employer gathering details

40:11 Plainfield's health plan changes

Learn More:

RosettaFest 2025 - 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 to Relocalizing Health. In this episode, we take you behind the scenes at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, where an organization fighting hunger is revolutionizing health benefits for its employees. Join Dave Chase as he sits down with Amy Lein, Chief Human Resource Officer at Second Harvest, to uncover how this nonprofit broke away from the broken health insurance model, creating one of the nation's highest-quality, most accessible benefit plans.

Learn how every employee at Second Harvest pays zero in premiums, deductibles, and co-pays, translating into real quality of care and tangible support like paid leave and grocery assistance. Hear firsthand stories of transformation as employees, for the first time, can actually afford and access the care they need. This episode is a must-listen for nonprofit leaders, city managers, and anyone who has ever looked at a health insurance renewal and thought, “We can’t afford anything better.” As Dave and Amy reveal, a better way is not only possible, it’s already here.

Timestamps:

00:00 Making healthcare affordable for employees

05:41 Improving employee healthcare access

09:14 The concierge nurse navigator

10:01 Affordable access to top doctors

14:32 How the gift card program works

19:35 Offering paid parental leave

22:37 Having access to quality healthcare

26:07 Rising healthcare costs and solutions

30:02 Vision for what's next

30:43 Creating a great workplace culture

34:38 Wrapping up with final advice

Learn More:

RosettaFest 2025 - 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 to Relocalizing Health with Dave Chase. In this episode, we explore what happens when a clinical leader takes health care into their own hands for both their patients and their employees. We'll meet Tim Spooner, a physical therapist who, in 1990, opened a single clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona with the conviction that the right care, at the right time, can transform lives. Thirty-five years later, Tim leads Arizona's largest private PT practice, operates clinics across Arizona and Texas, and runs Solve Global, a company that's reshaping how employers nationwide address musculoskeletal health.

But Tim's story doesn't stop with clinical excellence. Frustrated by skyrocketing premiums, opaque data, and decreasing reimbursements, he set out to redesign his company's health plan from the ground up. In the process, he redirected money typically lost to the old system back into his people, offering benefits like tuition reimbursement, direct primary care memberships, and robust musculoskeletal solutions. His efforts not only earned national recognition but also inspired other PT practices to follow suit.

Today, we'll dive into Tim's journey of leadership and innovation, the challenges he faced, and how his blueprint for change is empowering others to reclaim health care, making it more transparent, effective, and people-focused. Stay tuned as we learn what it truly means to "walk the talk" in health care and why the proof is in the room.

Timestamps:

00:00 How Tim Spooner got started

03:28 Discovering rising healthcare costs

08:06 High hospital markup example

13:14 Regenerative medicine success stories

15:36 Proactive healthcare and early intervention

19:57 Challenges for healthcare professionals

22:48 Transitioning to self-insured healthcare

24:12 Leadership and driving results

26:59 Medical costs and MRI findings

30:43 Navigating healthcare payment models

36:11 Closing advice for key audiences

36:49 Partnering with clinical practice leaders

Learn More:

RosettaFest 2025 - 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/

On this episode of Relocalizing Health, host Dave Chase sits down with family physician and author Michael Fine, a leading voice in healthcare reform and the driving force behind Primary Care for All Americans. Together, they unpack the provocative idea of medicine as a form of colonialism, exploring how corporate healthcare systems extract wealth from local communities and diminish their capacity for self-governance.

Michael Fine draws on decades of experience, from running a small family practice to leading the Rhode Island Department of Health, to illustrate the devastating impact of for-profit healthcare on both patients and the social fabric of our towns. He shares revealing moments that highlight the true cost of primary care versus the astronomical amounts funneled out of communities, and explains why universal, community-driven primary care could be the linchpin for both improved health outcomes and economic resilience.

The conversation doesn’t just examine what’s broken, it spotlights grassroots solutions and social movements rekindling democracy and civic engagement in healthcare. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of community health initiatives, the simple mechanics behind local health plans, and strategies that unite both fiscal conservatives and progressives in the fight to reclaim healthcare dollars. Through stories of hope, frustration, and action, this episode charts a path for how all Americans, clinicians, citizens, and policymakers alike can join together to rebuild a just and sustainable healthcare system from the ground up.

Timestamps:

00:00 "Colonialism in Modern Healthcare"

04:58 "Radical Sliding Scale Practice"

09:00 "Essential Services for All"

11:41 "Preventing Second COVID Wave"

16:57 "Impact of Urban Health Inequity"

20:31 "Primary Care Reduces Healthcare Waste"

21:19 "Emergency Room Vortex Issues"

27:04 "Primary Care for All Idea"

29:50 Volunteer-Led Healthcare Voucher Program

33:13 Primary Care Gaps Revealed

37:31 "Social Movement & Governance Insights"

38:16 "Sustainable Democracy Through Participation"

41:19 "Healthcare System & Community Solutions"

Learn More:

RosettaFest 2025 - 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 to Relocalizing Health, the podcast that dives deep into how communities across America are reclaiming their healthcare from corporate control and building systems focused on people over profit. In this episode, we welcome Michael Norman, Chief Strategy Officer at Genesis Healthcare System in Zanesville, Ohio, and President of HealthyPath, a community-owned health plan product making a big impact.

Mike shares his inspiring journey after being told his rural hospital wasn't "relevant" by a major insurance carrier, despite offering high-quality care at lower costs. This pivotal moment sparked the creation of HealthyPath, a product designed to empower local employers with affordable coverage options and give employees access to care without overwhelming deductibles. In just one year, HealthyPath’s 20 participating employers collectively saved $1.2 million, proving that local solutions can truly transform the healthcare landscape.

Along the way, Mike discusses the importance of remaining independent as a community hospital, the economic role local healthcare systems play, and the pitfalls of consolidation that often leave rural communities behind. He also shares how employer feedback has shaped HealthyPath, where quality coverage is now helping businesses attract and retain talent, and employees can finally afford the care they need.

We explore the innovative partnership between local hospitals and modern benefit advisors like Christina King, the collaborative power of rural Ohio's High Value Network, and what it takes to replicate this change in other communities. If you’re seeking hope and practical ideas for reshaping healthcare around local values and community needs, this episode is sure to inspire.

Tune in as we shine a spotlight on those forging a new path, where community wellbeing comes first, and the American dream of accessible, affordable healthcare starts at home.

Timestamps:

00:00 Rural Healthcare Challenges and Costs

04:59 Rural Hospital Relevance Challenge

10:17 Local Oversight Strengthens Communities

11:33 HealthyPath: Affordable Healthcare Solution

14:47 "Christina's Impact on HealthyPath"

18:16 $1.2M Employer Premium Savings

22:37 "From Skeptic to Advocate"

26:55 "Cost Management Through Local TPA"

30:42 Scaling Value-Based Healthcare Solutions

32:10 "Hospital Execs as Celebrities"

35:14 Transforming Healthcare and Employer Retention

38:32 "Rosetta Fest: Transforming Healthcare"

Christina King - https://healthrosetta.org/advisors/christina-king/

Learn More:

RosettaFest 2025 - 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 to Relocalizing Health, where we explore how communities are reclaiming control over healthcare and rebuilding systems that truly serve people. In this episode, host Dave Chase welcomes Patrick Blackaller, the driving force behind the Employer Healthcare Cooperative of Wisconsin. Together, they dive into the journey of transforming healthcare for schools and employers in Wisconsin, shifting from an extractive industry toward a model that prioritizes care, cost transparency, and community partnerships.

You'll hear honest reflections on the tough choices and personal stories that sparked this movement, including the profound impact of rising costs and restrictive insurance plans on real people. Patrick Blackaller shares how direct contracts, innovative clinics, and new pharmacy approaches are not only saving millions but also bringing dignity and access back into healthcare. This episode is packed with lessons on pioneering change, even in the face of skepticism, and offers a blueprint for other communities ready to take bold steps toward a better future.

Timestamps:

00:00 "Rural School Struggles with Healthcare"

05:04 "Creating Care Through Self-Funding"

09:14 Overcoming Skepticism to Find Support

12:50 Affordable Medication Access Strategies

14:23 "Optimizing Health Plans Affordably"

17:10 Streamlining Healthcare Navigation and Education

20:30 Healthcare Spending and Employer Insights

23:51 "Optimizing Quality and Cost Balance"

27:21 Perseverance Through Challenges

31:23 Purpose-Driven Leadership Strategies

35:21 "Relocalizing Health: American Comeback"

Learn More:

RosettaFest 2025 - 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/

On this episode of Relocalizing Health, host Dave Chase is joined by April Kyle, president and CEO of Southcentral Foundation in Alaska, for a deep dive into one of America’s most remarkable healthcare transformations. Together, they explore how the Alaska Native community took control of their own healthcare system, moving from an underfunded, top-down model to a community-owned system that now boasts some of the best health outcomes and highest satisfaction rates in the world.

April Kyle shares the practical blueprint behind this success: from the generational trauma and distrust that had to be overcome, to the pivotal role of true community engagement and ongoing governance that keeps the transformation alive. The conversation highlights the importance of listening, evolving systems to meet community needs, and the challenges of sustaining change across decades. Listeners will hear inspiring, concrete stories of how community voices are not only heard, but drive real decisions, from scheduling mammograms around moose hunting season to making tough calls about housing for providers.

Whether you’re a community leader, healthcare provider, or simply passionate about building better systems, this episode offers actionable insights and hope for communities everywhere looking to take back control and create a system built for and by them.

Timestamps:

00:00 "Relocalizing Health: Community-Driven Care"

04:18 April Kyle's Introduction & Journey

09:31 "Community-Centered Evolving Healthcare Model"

12:42 "Relocalizing Health, Not Healthcare"

15:20 Listening to Families, Closing Gaps

19:35 "Listening, Dialogue, and Community Partnership"

22:24 "Community-Driven Leadership Challenges"

27:15 Listening to Community First

28:12 "Community-Driven Listening and Customization"

32:49 Community Decision on Housing Safety

36:31 "Clinical Outcomes Data Sharing"

37:26 Community Resource Allocation Dialogue

40:42 "Power of Convening Communities"

46:25 "Embracing Community-Led Healthcare Change"

48:13 Integrating Behavioral Care Insights

50:48 "Rosetta Fest: Health Care Transformation"

Podcasts: IHI https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/when-people-of-the-system-own-the-system-with/id1681829836?i=1000678625961

Moving to Value Part 1 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/part-1-the-nuka-blueprint-w-april-kyle-and-dr-doug-eby/id1716935535

Part 2 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/part-2-the-nuka-blueprint-w-april-kyle-and-dr-doug-eby/id1716935535

Learn More:

RosettaFest 2025 - 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, the podcast where we shine a light on the communities taking healthcare back from corporate control and making it serve people, rather than profit. In today’s episode, host Dave Chase sits down with Christina King, a benefit advisor from Columbus, Ohio, who’s breaking the mold on how we think about hospitals and employer health plans.

Instead of waiting for Washington to fix a “terminally broken” system, Christina King has been rolling up her sleeves and partnering with regional hospitals to create community-owned health plans, even as much of Ohio’s healthcare landscape is collapsing around her. She unpacks how these grassroots efforts are not only keeping care in the community, but transforming hospital relationships, employer incentives and even employee recruitment by building something better from within.

We’ll dig into the unique financial models, the critical role of direct primary care and independent pharmacies, and why employers are finally able to use health benefits as a genuine tool to attract their workforce. Plus, Christina King shares how these local successes are fueling statewide excitement and connecting an ever-growing network of visionary leaders ready to take healthcare transformation on the road.

Get ready for an inspiring conversation that offers practical insights and real hope for reclaiming the American dream, one community at a time.

Timestamps:

00:00 Reclaiming Healthcare, Serving Communities

04:33 Networking to Reach Hospital Executives

08:41 Healthcare Innovation Around Metro Areas

12:45 Replicating Community Health Plans

15:42 Community-Focused Healthcare Collaboration

18:05 "Health Plans Driving Employee Attraction"

23:20 "Employer Community Health Revolution"

25:00 Community Celebration After Denver Trip

28:25 "Employers Discussing Healthcare Challenges"

31:33 Hospital Competition and Cost Reform

36:12 "Live in Anticipation of Connections"

37:45 Reclaiming Healthcare, Building Community

Learn More:

RosettaFest 2025 - 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/