Commentary
HEALTHCARE LANDSCAPE ROUND OF 32 RESULTS: TOP SEEDS SWEEP THE REGION
With zero upsets in the Healthcare Landscape region’s first round, the top seeds take a bow in a regional sweep of the high rankers. While a few games came close to an upset, at the end of the day the only surprise in this region was the trend made possible only by the new presidential administration.
Explore the interactive bracket and watch the tournament unfold weekly on our LinkedIn page, where you can join the discussion too!
Here’s what went down in this region’s first four contests:
Evolution of GLP-1s Punishes Alternative Individual Products
Evolution of GLP-1s (1) is here to prove that last year’s spectacular blast to the top was no fluke, and in the opening salvo this trend did just that. Rookie Alternative Individual Products (8) (AIP) had no answer to last year’s champ.
Committee members agreed that GLP-1s are the team to beat this year. Half of all employers now cover GLP-1s for a quickly growing list of clinical uses that extend from diabetes treatment and weight loss into addiction treatment, non-fatty liver disease, Parkinson’s and other areas. The spillover effects into sectors outside of healthcare are said to be powerful enough to alter the Gross Domestic Product. One member bravely suggested that AIP might have a chance with its potential for healthcare cost-shifting, but the gargantuan economic and health impacts of GLP-1s summarily smashed that notion in a 4-0 win.
“DEMAND FOR GLP-1S IS SHOCKINGLY HIGH.”
Make America Healthy Again Boots Private Equity Scrutiny
Committee members were mixed on the strength of Private Equity Scrutiny (7), which points to growing consumer mistrust in light of revelations of high cost and low quality among private equity-backed health systems. However, acknowledging the current political strength of the new administration to push through its policies, the committee agreed that Make America Healthy Again (2) (MAHA) could give new life to the old ideas of greater personal health responsibility through diet and lifestyle changes. Multiple new leadership appointments across federal healthcare agencies seem bent toward this school of thought, giving newcomer MAHA an easy win over Private Equity Scrutiny, 4-0.
“THE POLITICAL POTENTIAL IS STRONG FOR MAHA TO SHAPE FOOD, HEALTHCARE AND REIMBURSEMENT POLICIES.”
Approach of the Workforce Cliff Edges Out Rise of Misinformation
Approach of the Workforce Cliff (3) battled it out against Rise of Misinformation (6) as both teams brought powerful players to the court. On one side, Committee members recognized that the workforce cliff is a “clear and present danger,” while concurring with the threat of misinformation to interfere with a provider’s ability to treat patients. There was some consensus around the idea that AI and technology could improve the detrimental outlook for each of these trends. The game was tied at the end of regulation play, but in overtime Approach of the Workforce Cliff emerged triumphant, 4-0.
“WE DON’T HAVE THE PEOPLE TO SOLVE THE WORKFORCE PROBLEM. THE SOLUTION IS IN TECHNOLOGY.”
Capital Markets Thaw Squeaks by Cell & Gene Therapy
Pundits predicted that this newcomer throwdown would be a game to watch, and while it was a battle of equals in many respects, it was a messy confrontation that left both teams bruised and bloody. Cell & Gene Therapy (5) brought greater confidence and emotion through great but expensive advances, while Capital Markets Thaw (4) showed up with more street cred and bench strength, along with a new FTC chair inclined toward endorsing M&A activity. However, neither team was really ready for tournament play, with multiple injuries and foul-outs on both benches. After double overtime that was painful even for the fans, Capital Markets Thaw won 3-2 with a technical free throw.
“CELL AND GENE THERAPIES CAN’T TRULY ADVANCE UNTIL CAPITAL MARKETS THAW.”
What trends do you think are the biggest healthcare change-makers?
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