Why does the United States spend more on healthcare than any other nation—yet often achieve worse outcomes?
In Part Two of this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Don Berwick—former Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), internationally recognized healthcare quality expert, and founder of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)—joins Chris Comeaux to explore the systemic challenges facing American healthcare and the leadership required to create meaningful reform.
From the evolution of Medicare Advantage to the financial incentives shaping healthcare delivery, Dr. Berwick explains why administrative complexity, payment models, and profit-driven incentives continue to drive costs higher while often failing to improve patient outcomes. Together, they examine the future of healthcare policy, value-based care, healthcare leadership, healthcare reform, Medicare, Health insurance, and the role employers may play in demanding a more sustainable healthcare system.
The conversation also turns to one of healthcare’s greatest success stories—Hospice and palliative care. Dr. Berwick argues that compassionate, person-centered care isn’t simply a better way to care for people nearing the end of life; it provides a blueprint for improving healthcare across every stage of life. The episode concludes with an inspiring challenge to healthcare leaders: speak up for what is right, lead with courage, and never lose sight of healthcare’s true mission—to heal, serve, and care for people.
Whether you’re a healthcare executive, hospice leader, physician, nonprofit executive, health system administrator, board member, or business leader, this conversation offers strategic insights into the future of healthcare—and practical leadership lessons that extend far beyond medicine.
⸻
Episode Highlights
✔ Why Medicare Advantage has drifted from its original mission
✔ The hidden cost of healthcare bureaucracy and administrative waste
✔ The $80 billion debate surrounding Medicare Advantage payments
✔ Why employer-sponsored healthcare may be approaching a breaking point
✔ Lessons the U.S. can learn from healthcare systems around the world
✔ Why hospice and palliative care represent a model for all of healthcare
✔ The moral responsibility of healthcare leaders to speak with courage
⸻
If you enjoyed this conversation, please Like, Subscribe, and Share this episode with your leadership team, colleagues, board members, and friends. Every conversation helps us build stronger leaders and healthier organizations.
🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations on leadership, hospice, palliative care, healthcare Innovation, nonprofit strategy, and the future of healthcare.
Guest: Dr. Don Berwick, Former Administrator of CMS
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios, author of The Anatomy of Leadership
The Anatomy of Leadership podcast explores the art and science of leadership through candid, insightful conversations with thought leaders, innovators, and change-makers from a variety of industries. Hosted by Chris Comeaux, each episode dives into the mindsets, habits, and strategies that empower leaders to thrive in complex, fast-changing environments. With topics ranging from organizational culture and emotional intelligence to navigating disruption and inspiring teams, the show blends real-world stories with practical takeaways. The goal is simple yet ambitious: to equip leaders at every level with the tools, perspectives, and inspiration they need to lead with vision, empathy, and impact.
https://www.teleioscn.org/anatomy-of-leadership
