Episode Details

Vic and Marcus recap insights from the Health Evolution Summit, focusing on high-value networking versus weak conference content, then break down major economic and policy developments including Kevin Warsh’s expected appointment as Fed Chair, the end of the investigation into Jerome Powell, and shifts in Fed governance. They cover venture activity across AI healthcare, biotech resurgence, and crowded revenue cycle startups, alongside new accelerators backed by Anne Wojcicki. Policy wins include FDA gene therapy breakthroughs, marijuana reclassification, and faster CMS coverage pathways. The episode dives into payer performance with improved MLR trends, ongoing health system struggles, and biotech deal momentum led by Eli Lilly. They explore AI’s growing role in healthcare, including dementia care and OpenAI launching clinical tools, while also unpacking infrastructure pressures from data center demand, chip innovation, and inference growth. The episode closes with geopolitical tensions in AI, highlighting Nvidia vs China debates, the rise of DeepSeek, and rapid advancements in robotics performance. 

Links

Story 1: Kevin Warsh - Fed

5:12 -  Warsh Pledges Independence at Fed Hearing WSJ

6:11 - DOJ drops investigation into Fed’s Powell Roll Call

Story 2:  VC 

8:36 - Amperos Health secures $16M in series A funding, unveils AI-native denial management solution Fierce Healthcare

9:37 - Tortugas comes out of its shell with $106M to fund 4 phase 2-stage neuro drugs licensed from Asia Fierce Healthcare

11:59 - Courier Health scores $50M to scale CRM technology Mobi Heath

12:53 - Ethermed: $8.5 Million Series A Brings Total Funding To $15 Million+ To Scale AI Prior Authorization Platform Pulse 2.0 

13:19 - Esther and Anne Wojcicki back new healthcare accelerator, fund TechCrunch

Story 3:  1st Gene Therapy

14:54 - FDA Approves First-Ever Gene Therapy to Restore Hearing WSJ

Story 4:  Marijuana reclassified

16:51 - Trump Administration Reclassifies Marijuana as Less Dangerous Drug WSJ

Story 5:  RAPID

18:44 - CMS and FDA announce RAPID Medicare coverage for breakthrough medical devices Healthcae Finance

Story 6: Payor Financial Reports

20:43 - UnitedHealth Shows Signs of Turnaround With Strong Quarterly Results WSJ

21:58 - Molina controls costs in Q1 but future Medicaid spending in doubt Healthcar