When I mention an organization that walks tall and carries a big stick – you’d best be thinking of The LeapFrog Group. It has become one of the more powerful patient safety organizations in grading hospitals, through its mission of providing public transparency. Ultimately, it seeks to improve safety, quality, and affordability of U.S. health care.
Estimates today finger medical errors as causing upwards of 400,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. Additionally, employers and individual coverage purchasers are the unwitting recipients of long-term purposeful cost hyperinflation from drug companies, healthcare providers, and health payers.
Founded in 2000, the LeapFrog Group came about from large employers and care coverage purchasers who recognized the poor returns on their healthcare spend. Never has that need been more true than today - as hyperinflated costs can no longer be justified will business and individual consumers supporting the system and its pricing.
In 2017, nearly 1,800 hospitals have already completed LeapFrog's quality, safety, and resource survey. It is increasingly being considered a standard for evaluating hospital performance - specific to quality, safe, and resource use. Leapfrog already gives its own safety ratings on all U.S. hospitals; and this data is being increasingly used by individual and business healthcare consumers - especially as we see free-market forces entering into the system.
Recently, Dr. Steve Ambrose - the Founder & Host of the RED HOT HEALTHCARE Podcast, had an opportunity to engage in a riveting back-and-forth audio interview with Leah Binder, the outspoken CEO and President of The LeapFrog Group.
She was named on Becker’s list of the 50 most powerful people in healthcare, and consistently cited by Modern Healthcare among the 100 most influential people and top 25 women in healthcare.
In the complete audio listen, Dr. Steve Ambrose and Leah Binder dive deep into topics including:
- Her history of working on New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani's team
- How the LeapFrog Group grew its influence with thousands of hospitals
- The REAL TRUTH on who pays the most healthcare costs
- What facets make up LeapFrog's grades & reported data
- The importance of PUBLIC transparency and accountability for all hospitals
- Extending transparency to payers and pharma companies (Dr. Steve thoughts)
Most of the RED HOT HEALTHCARE podcast shows are about 30 minutes in length. However this one was a true 'hour of power' - and perhaps my most engaging yet. Because I was lucky enough to have secured an interview with Steve DeAngelo.
Steve is an undisputed national leader and provocative visionary in the cannabis industry. With four decades of activism and advocacy, he’s inspired millions of individuals to not only learn about and benefit from cannabis, but also in influencing efforts to pass laws in local, state, and even foreign countries.
He co-founded Harborside Health Center, the largest and most successful medical marijuana dispensary in the world. He's also the co-founder and president of the ArcView Group a company and investor network, which successfully introduces investors to the cannabis community.
He also wrote a powerful and well-researched book, which completely transformed the way that many individuals, including myself, have come to view cannabis. It's called The Cannabis Manifesto - and I highly suggest you make this your next purchase and read.
Steve has been featured in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, CNN, O’Reilly Factor, the Associated Press, Huffington Post, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, the BBC, the Discovery Channel, Fortune Magazine, Forbes Magazine, and many other major media outlets.
In this show episode...Dr. Steve and Steve DeAngelo discuss some incredible dialogue on cannabis, including:
- The 'tainted' history and perpetuated lies (some eye-opening 'Whoppers')
- Why it is NOT an intoxicant
- Steve's unique history (From MLK, Freedom Riders, and Joining the 'Yippees'...to graduating Magna Cum Laude and going to Law School)
- Explaining its "ELEGANT & MAGICAL" impact on fighting cancer
- Why its legalization actually strengthens communities
- The story of success with Harborside Health and the ArcView Group
- And so much more...
What’s the largest healthcare IT company in the entire world? It’s Optum – and in 2016, it brought in $83 Billion. It's a health services and innovation company whose strategy includes partnering across the entire health system – and connecting with over 100 million Americans.
Today we hear from seasoned healthcare veteran and EVP at Optum Dr. Mitch Morris. We’re talking with the biggest of the big boys – and bringing it right to your ears. Right here on RED HOT HEALTHCARE….Let’s GO!
In this episode, Dr. Steve and Dr. Mitch Morris engage in a powerful back-and-forth on:
- The multi-segment perspectives from a 30-year healthcare veteran
- Optum's business segments & solutions
- Their key Innovation, Strategy, and Acquisitions
- Bringing simplicity to the complexity of healthcare
- The power of Telehealth & Pricing Transparency
- Deep perspectives on single-payer coverage & our current healthcare crisis
John Nosta is generally regarded as one of the top global strategic and creative thinkers in digital health. He is also one the most popular speakers around the globe presenting his vibrant and insightful perspective on the future of health innovation.
John is the #1 ranked health tech influencer on Twitter. You can find him on @jjnosta
John founded and leads NOSTALAB – a digital health think tank with clients such as Google, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, GlaxoSmithKline, and many others. Plus he sits on Google's Advisory Board for Healthcare.
On this riveting episode, Dr. Steve and John delve into:
- Stage Zero Disease
- Athletic 'Wearables' Must Become Clinical Imperatives
- Collaboration in Care
- Dr. Steve's New Consumer Drug Platform
- Is Humanity Overrated?
- Stem Cell Science
- The 'Non-Doctor' Being a Healthcare Innovator
- John's Unique Thoughts on A.I.