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The ASHHRA PodcastAuthor: Robert "Bo" Brabo and Luke Carignan
The ASHHRA Podcast is the ultimate resource for HR Leaders. Featuring weekly episodes with top healthcare professionals from around the country, Co-hosts Bo Brabo & Luke Carignan from The Bo & Luke Show bring you the latest insights and trends in the world of human resources. Whether you're looking to stay up to date on the latest news and legislation or gain valuable insights into building a better workplace, The ASHHRA Podcast has something for everyone. So sit back, relax, and join Bo and Luke every week for fresh episodes as they explore everything Healthcare HR! Language: en Genres: Business, Business News, Management, News Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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#203 - The New Healthcare Labor Wave
Episode 4
Monday, 26 January, 2026
Healthcare HR leaders are heading into one of the most consequential weeks of the year. In this episode of the ASHHRA Monday News Drop, Luke Carignan, Bo Brabo, and ASHHRA President & CEO Jeremy Sadlier unpack three fast-moving developments that demand immediate attention from HR, finance, and executive teams. Segment 1: A Tale of Two Coasts While New York nurses return to work after securing historic staffing protections, the West Coast is waking up to a massive escalation. More than 31,000 healthcare workers across California and Hawaii, including nurses, pharmacists, and imaging professionals, have launched an open-ended strike over staffing ratios and wages tied to inflation. HR reality check: The contagion effect is real. Enforceable staffing guarantees are now the most powerful organizing and recruiting tool in healthcare. Union or not, organizations that fail to visibly address staffing risk becoming the next target. Segment 2: The Telehealth Hail Mary With just days remaining before the January 30 deadline, the House has passed a two-year extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities. The Senate still must act. A lapse, even for 48 hours, could trigger denied claims and major revenue disruption. Actionable guidance: Do not dismantle telehealth infrastructure. Instruct revenue cycle teams to hold telehealth claims from February 1–3 until Senate confirmation is secured. This single step could prevent a costly billing crisis. Segment 3: The “Great Healthcare Plan” and PBM Reform The White House has released a new healthcare framework emphasizing aggressive PBM reform and price transparency, while notably stepping away from enhanced ACA subsidies. Premium pressure for employees is likely to persist. HR opportunity: PBM reform is not just a finance issue. Use this moment to demand transparency from your benefits partners, audit rebate structures, and identify savings that can help offset rising employee costs. This Week’s Focus: • Monitor West Coast labor activity and prepare for patient surges • Protect telehealth revenue during legislative uncertainty • Reassess staffing strategy, benefits cost exposure, and PBM risk Healthcare HR is no longer adjacent to strategy. It is central to it. From Our Sponsor(s)...Optimize Pharmacy Benefits with RxBenefitsElevate your employee benefits while managing costs. Did you know hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions annually than other industries? Ensure cost-effective, high-quality pharmacy plans by leveraging your hospital’s own pharmacies. Discover smarter strategies with RxBenefits.Learn More here - https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN Support the show
