If you've been following the news lately, the President and his Department of Governmental Efficiency (or D.O.G.E) are currently taking a hatchet to government programs to reduce federal debt. No matter if you're for these changes or are against them, one thing is for certain; the government is about to dramatically reshape how Americans receive and administer their healthcare. Many programs, due to these cuts, will go completely away.
These changes represent the biggest overhaul since the Affordable Care Act, targeting everything from Medicare to drug prices to the healthcare workforce crisis.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Healthcare costs are spiraling out of control – set to eat up 20% of America's entire economic output by 2030 according to the Congressional Budget Office. Without decisive action, both patients and providers face an increasingly unsustainable system.
Here's what's changing:
Medicare is getting a complete overhaul. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is scrapping the old way of paying doctors and hospitals for each service. Instead, they'll be paid based on how well they actually help patients get better. This forces healthcare providers to completely rethink how they deliver and track patient care.
Big Pharma faces unprecedented pressure as Medicare gains new power to negotiate drug prices. This could slash seniors' medication costs while forcing pharmaceutical companies to justify their pricing. Early analysis points to $25 billion in annual savings once these changes take full effect.
A massive investment in healthcare workers is coming. New funding will expand medical training programs and offer loan forgiveness to address critical staffing shortages, especially in rural areas. The goal: boost the healthcare workforce by 15% within a decade through targeted recruitment and training initiatives. While this may be the goal, it's hard to visualize with such deep cuts in government programs.
The way that these changes are coming about may be in real question. Fear of change that impacts our health is hard. Really hard. It's hard for the workers that administer the services and it's hard for populations. We believe this process will be bumpy at best but we're here to help you make sense of these changes and the technology impact of it all.
Please reach out if you'd like to have a deeper conversation to discuss the best strategies in reducing the impact to your program.
Talk soon, Yon Hardisty
In this issue:
Breakthrough:
Cancer Death Rates Hit Historic 30-Year Low
Heart Health:
Understanding and Preventing Cardiovascular Disease
Don't Miss!
Wellbeing Wednesdays
Spotlight on:
Students Learning to Help Each Other Through Mental Health Challenges
Upcoming Webinar
Building Resilient Youth: Equipping Teens and Adults with Lifesaving Mental Health Skills
Join us for an impactful webinar as Tammy Diehn, Founder & Executive Director, leads a critical conversation about building resilient youth by equipping teens and adults with lifesaving mental health skills. 2B CONTINUED's mission is to increase awareness of suicide prevention, mental health & wellness through advocacy, education, and outreach.
Cancer mortality rates have plummeted to their lowest point since record-keeping began, marking a turning point in America's fight against one of its deadliest diseases. Recent data from the American Cancer Society reveals a 33% drop in cancer death rates since 1991, translating to an estimated 3.8 million fewer cancer deaths.
This dramatic decline isn't just a statistic – it represents millions of families who got to keep their loved ones longer. The success stems from three key developments:
Early Detection Revolution: Advanced screening technologies have transformed early diagnosis rates. Colonoscopy rates among adults 45 and older have increased by 40% over the past decade, while new blood-based screening tests can now detect over 50 types of cancer before symptoms appear. Early detection has improved five-year survival rates for breast cancer to 90%, up from 75% in the 1970s.
Precision Medicine Breakthroughs: Genetic testing and targeted therapies have revolutionized treatment effectiveness. Lung cancer deaths dropped by 41% since 2015 among men and 26% among women, largely due to targeted therapies that attack specific genetic mutations. Today, over 75% of cancer patients receive treatments tailored to their genetic profiles.
Accessibility Improvements: Insurance coverage for cancer screenings has expanded significantly. The percentage of Americans with access to free preventive cancer screenings rose from 71% to 88% between 2010 and 2023. Community health programs have reduced screening disparities, with rural areas seeing a 35% increase in cancer screening rates over the past five years.
The Future Looks Bright
The impact extends beyond survival rates. Quality of life during treatment has improved dramatically, with 65% of cancer patients now able to maintain normal daily activities during treatment, compared to just 30% a decade ago. Additionally, survivorship programs have expanded, with 80% of major cancer centers now offering comprehensive post-treatment support services.
Experts project these trends will accelerate. The National Cancer Institute estimates that by 2030, personalized immunotherapy treatments could make certain types of cancer manageable chronic conditions rather than terminal diagnoses. Current clinical trials show promise in pushing survival rates even higher, with some experimental treatments achieving remission rates above 90% for previously difficult-to-treat cancers.
Investment in cancer research continues to yield returns. For every dollar spent on cancer research, the economic benefit is estimated at $2.21 in reduced healthcare costs and increased productivity. As we look ahead, these advances not only save lives but demonstrate healthcare's capacity for transformative progress when innovation, access, and prevention align.
Healthtek is taking a stand in helping everyone stay healthy. In April of this year, we are launching a Wellness Challenges App that will help organizations and teams create wellness challenges to motivate people to keep an eye on their health. Health challenges can be anything from proper hydration to getting proper testing for common cancers such as prostate or breast cancer.
If you'd like to learn more about our Wellness Challenges program and how we believe our engagement will be unique in the healthcare market, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Understanding and Preventing Cardiovascular Disease
Why Heart Health Matters
While September 29th is recognized globally as World Heart Day, many countries also observe Heart Health Month every February to emphasize the importance of taking care of our hearts. This global initiative shines a light on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for an estimated 17.9 million deaths each year.
Supported by organizations such as the American Heart Association and others internationally, this observance aims to raise awareness about heart disease, its risks, and the steps we can take to prevent it.
Join us at 9:00 A.M. PT for Wellbeing Wednesday, where we help individuals cultivate mindfulness, relaxation, and focus. It's free to join, and we encourage everyone to offer this opportunity to your clients.
Students Learning to Help Each Other Through Mental Health Challenges
High school is tough enough without feeling alone during hard times. That's why Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) is teaching students how to be there for each other when mental health challenges arise. This straightforward program gives teens the skills to spot when their friends are struggling and know exactly how to help.
The program fits right into the regular school day, with six 45-minute classroom sessions led by trained instructors from 2B CONTINUED. Students in grades 9-12 learn practical ways to support their friends and, most importantly, understand when it's time to get help from an adult they trust.
What works so well about tMHFA is that it's realistic about how teens actually help each other. Let's face it – when something's wrong, teens usually talk to their friends first. This program builds on that natural trust, teaching students how to have helpful conversations with friends who might be dealing with mental health issues or substance use problems.
"This isn't about turning students into therapists," explains the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, which developed the curriculum. "It's about creating a network of informed young people who know when and how to connect their peers with professional help."
The training focuses on:
Spotting early signs that a friend might be struggling
Understanding what's normal teen stress and what might be more serious
Learning how to have supportive conversations with friends
Knowing when and how to get help from trusted adults
Finding the right resources when they're needed
Students learn their limits too – they're taught that while they can be incredibly helpful to their friends, some situations need adult support. This creates a safety net where students become a vital link between their struggling friends and the help they need.
2B CONTINUED's instructors bring this essential program directly into classrooms, making mental health support as normal as any other part of the school day. As more teens face mental health challenges, this program shows that students themselves can be part of the solution – looking out for their friends with both kindness and know-how.
Yon Hardisty April 2025 Issue #12: America's Stress Epidemic: How To Push Back View on the web → In the quiet moments between notifications, beneath the hum of fluorescent lights and the soft tapping of keyboards, a silent epidemic thrives. Like water slowly eroding stone, chronic stress has become the invisible architect of America's workplace challenges—reshaping our bodies, minds, and productivity in ways both subtle and profound. As our devices blur the boundaries between professional and...
Yon Hardisty March 2025 Issue #11: The Hidden Health Effects of Seasonal Change View on the web → As March brings the first whispers of spring, our bodies are quietly adjusting to more than just warmer temperatures. The changing season affects everything from our sleep patterns to our immune systems, yet these shifts often go unnoticed until they manifest as unexpected fatigue, mood changes, or seasonal allergies. Research shows that our bodies maintain internal seasonal rhythms that evolved...
Yon Hardisty January 2025 Issue #9: Reimagining Care Through Inclusive Design View on the web → Healthcare isn't just about healing—it's about creating environments where every mind can thrive. In recent studies, tremendous progress is being made to better understand the brain. The human mind is extremely complex and to a certain extent, mysterious in many ways. More focus as of late has been placed on neurohealth and neurodiversity. At Healthtek, we're pioneering a more neurocentric approach...