The Relay: Episode 6 Now Available

LISTEN NOW: https://youtu.be/xaSio5kYBDk?si=7x11VKloXlAICOfZ

In this episode of The Relay, Valerie Emmons sits down with Alex Bardakh, Senior Director of Advocacy & Strategic Partnerships at PALTmed, for a clear and candid breakdown of what’s actually happening at the intersection of DC policy, value-based care, rural health, and transitions of care.

From the looming ACA subsidy deadline to the explosive shift toward value-based reimbursement, AI in clinical workflow, rural hospital closures, and the real-world breakdowns that happen in patient handoffs — this conversation connects policy to the bedside in a way most coverage doesn’t.

If you’ve ever wondered why our healthcare system can have coverage without access, or why the baton keeps getting dropped between settings, this is the episode for you.

Topics Covered:

• ACA subsidy deadlines Jan 31, 2026 & Govt. shutdown risk

• Value-based care vs fee-for-service

• Why transitions of care fail

• AI’s promise & limits in healthcare

• Rural hospital closures & access gaps

• Medicaid & Medicare silos

• PALTmed + NTOCC alignment

Featuring:

Alex Bardakh, MPP, CAE, PLC (PALTmed)

Hosted by:

Valerie Emmons