Medicaid, together with the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), forms the backbone of pediatric care in the United States — providing nearly 40 million children with access to routine checkups to life-saving hospital services. But that care is at risk. Congress is considering cuts to Medicaid funding, which could have devastating consequences for kids and the specialized hospitals that serve them. In this episode, Chip Kahn is joined by Matthew Cook, President and CEO of the Children’s Hospital Association. With decades of leadership experience on the floors of children’s hospitals and now serving as a national advocate, Matt offers powerful stories into what’s at stake if Medicaid is scaled back — and why protecting it is critical for the health and future of America’s children. Key topics include: The scope of Medicaid’s support for children’s health;The role of children’s hospitals in providing pediatric care;Unique challenges facing children’s hospitals;What proposed Medicaid cuts could mean for access, treatment delays, and pediatric services; and,What lawmakers need to understand beyond balancing the budget. Guest Bio:  Matthew Cook is President and CEO of Children’s Hospital Association (CHA), representing over 200 children’s hospitals and health systems as the leading national advocates for children’s health.    Cook is an established health care industry executive with decades of unparalleled leadership which includes leadership roles at children’s hospitals and maternal health programs. Cook also previously served as a member of CHA’s Board of Trustees and Public Policy Committees.   Prior to joining CHA, Cook served as president of UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals and senior vice president of Children’s Services at UCSF Health, where he oversaw strategic direction, operations, and clinical services for all pediatric services in both Oakland and San Francisco, as well as serving on the UCSF Health leadership team.    Cook previously served as president of Riley Children’s Health and chief strategy officer for Indiana University Health and served as executive vice president of strategic planning and business development at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Cook was also a principal at the Chartis Group, a health care consulting firm based in Chicago.   Cook earned a Master of Business Administration from New York University and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.   

Rural America is a vital part of our nation—rich in culture, community, and resilience. But potential Medicaid cuts coupled with the impending expiration of enhanced tax credits further threatens rural communities’ access to health care and puts the strength of rural communities at risk. In this episode, Chip Kahn is joined once again by Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association, to explore the impacts of Medicaid cuts and Americans’ loss of health coverage on rural hospitals and what is at stake for patient care if lawmakers fail to protect these institutions. Key topics include:  The current state of rural health care and why it matters to all Americans;What hospital closures mean for rural patients;The policy levers that could make or break the future of rural hospitals; and,Why Medicaid and the enhanced tax credits are essential to access care.References:  Washington Post “Republican Medicaid cuts could shutter rural hospitals, maternity care” (https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/03/08/medicaid-cuts-rural-hospitals/)About: Alan Morgan joined NRHA staff in 2001 and currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the association.   Recognized as among the top 100 most influential people in health care by Modern Healthcare Magazine, Alan Morgan serves as Chief Executive Officer for the National Rural Health Association. He has more than 30 years experience in health policy at the state and federal level, and is one of the nation’s leading experts on rural health policy. Mr. Morgan served as a contributing author for the publications, “Policy & Politics in Nursing and Health Care,” “The Handbook of Rural Aging” and for the publication, “Rural Populations and Health.” In addition, his health policy articles have been published in: The American Journal of Clinical Medicine, The Journal of Rural Health, The Journal of Cardiovascular Management, The Journal of Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, Cardiac Electrophysiology Review, and in Laboratory Medicine.  Mr. Morgan served as staff for former US Congressman Dick Nichols and former Kansas Governor Mike Hayden. Additionally, his past experience includes tenures as a health care lobbyist for the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, the Heart Rhythm Society, and for VHA Inc. He holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from University of Kansas, and a master's degree in public administration from George Mason University.

Medicaid provides health coverage for more than 70 million Americans, including children, veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities. But as Congress works toward a reconciliation bill, proposed cuts totaling $880 billion have raised serious concerns about the program’s future and the impacts on patients and providers. In this episode, Chip Kahn sits down with Dr. Bruce Siegel, President and CEO of America’s Essential Hospitals, as he reflects on his 15 years of leadership, the critical role of serving uninsured and low-income patients, and the high stakes of the Medicaid debate unfolding in Washington. Key topics include: The evolving role of essential hospitals and the need to serve uninsured and low-income patients;Medicaid’s role in the health system and why it is essential for patient care;The real-world impact of Medicaid cuts, including consequences for nursing home stays, community-based services, and hospital operations;Debunking the misconception that having insurance doesn’t improve health outcomes; and,Bruce’s advice for future health care leaders and what’s next for him after America’s Essential Hospitals.Guest Bio:  With an extensive background in health care management, policy, and public health, Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH, has the blend of experience necessary to lead America’s Essential Hospitals and its members through the changing health care landscape and into a sustainable future. With more than 350 members, America’s Essential Hospitals is the only national organization representing hospitals committed to serving those who face financial and social barriers to care.  Since joining America’s Essential Hospitals in 2010, Siegel has dramatically grown the association as it strengthened its advocacy, research, and education efforts. His intimate knowledge of member needs comes in part from his direct experience as president and CEO of two member systems: New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation and Tampa General Healthcare. Just before joining America’s Essential Hospitals, Siegel served as director of the Center for Health Care Quality and professor of health policy at The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services. He also served as New Jersey’s commissioner of health.  Among his many accomplishments, Siegel led groundbreaking work on quality and equity, with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. He is a past chair of the National Quality Forum board and the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality. Modern Healthcare recognized him as one of the “100 Most Influential People in Healthcare” from 2011 to 2019 and 2022 to 2024; among the “50 Most Influential Clinical Executives” in 2022, 2023, and 2024; among the “Top 25 Diversity Leaders in Healthcare” in 2021; one of the “50 Most Influential Physician Executives” from 2012 to 2018; and among the “Top 25 Minority Executives in Healthcare” in 2014 and 2016. He also was named one of the “50 Most Powerful People in Healthcare” by Becker’s Hospital Review in 2013 and 2014.  Siegel earned a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University, a doctor of medicine from Cornell University Medical College, and a master’s degree in public health from The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health.