Regional Media Podcast Network

Samantha Rux from OSF HealthCare joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the upcoming Blood Drive, Feast of Saint Francis, Blessing of the Pets, vaccines, and chronic illness prevention. OSF HealthCare St. Luke is heading into a busy fall season with community events and health reminders. The hospital’s October blood drive is set for Thursday, October 1st, from 7 AM to 5 PM in the East West Conference Room, with registration available through bloodcenter.org. OSF will also mark the Feast of St. Francis on Wednesday, October 7th, welcoming the Henry County Humane Society from 11 AM to 1 PM. A community pet blessing is planned for 12:30 PM. OSF is also encouraging flu shots, preventive care, and regular checkups to catch chronic illnesses early. Call 309-852-7700 for appointments.

A new Wake Up Tri-County interview spotlighted concerns over pilot health and aviation safety. Dr. Sal Giorgianni, senior science advisor for Men’s Health Network, discussed research showing flight crews may face elevated cancer risks from repeated radiation exposure at cruising altitude. He also warned that pilots may delay medical care out of fear that a diagnosis could threaten their careers. Giorgianni said FAA medical certification rules need modernization, with better communication between physicians and aviation examiners. He emphasized that safety improves when pilots are encouraged to seek preventive care early, rather than hide symptoms until conditions become more serious.

Former Congressman and U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Francis Rooney joined Ken Peel on Wake Up Tri-County to discuss U.S. foreign policy, NATO, Ukraine, tariffs, China, Iran, Venezuela, and the Vatican. Rooney criticized the Trump administration’s approach to global alliances, saying it has strained relations with Europe and raised questions about NATO’s future. On Ukraine, he said Europe must show long-term resolve if it hopes to pressure Russia toward a settlement. Rooney also questioned the effectiveness of tariffs and called diplomacy essential in Iran and other hot spots. He also praised Pope Leo’s leadership experience and outlook for the Vatican.

The rising cost of health care was the focus of a recent Wake Up Tri-Counties interview with Phil Kerpen, president of American Commitment and principal of Unleash Prosperity. Host Ken Peel spoke with Kerpen about an article examining the role of hospital consolidation and nonprofit tax-exempt status in driving health care costs. Kerpen said there are multiple factors contributing to rising health care expenses, including insurance companies, government policies, and pharmaceutical costs, but argued that hospital costs deserve greater attention.

According to Kerpen, hospital prices have been one of the fastest-rising components of inflation over the past two decades. He said the trend is connected in part to improvements in medical technology and quality of care but also pointed to what he described as a significant decline in competition.

Kerpen said large hospital systems have increasingly acquired independent physicians, imaging centers, clinics, and surgical centers. He noted that the share of doctors working for corporate employers has increased substantially over the past 15 years. His argument is that fewer independent providers can mean less competition, fewer choices, and less downward pressure on prices.

Another issue discussed was the tax-exempt status of nonprofit hospitals. Kerpen said approximately 80% of hospitals are nonprofits and argued that their tax-exempt status can provide an incentive to acquire additional property and facilities.

He also criticized federal reimbursement policies, particularly Medicare policies that can pay more for the same service when a physician practice becomes part of a hospital system.

Consolidation Across Health Care

The discussion also examined consolidation among insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers. Kerpen said insurance companies have acquired providers and pharmacy benefit managers, creating situations where an insurer may be involved on multiple sides of a health care transaction.

He argued that the broader health care system needs greater competition and transparency, including reforms designed to give consumers more control over health care spending. Kerpen said some consumers may make poor financial decisions, but he said he generally believes individuals can be better stewards of their money when they have direct control over it.

Political and Lobbying Challenges

The conversation concluded with a discussion of the political challenges surrounding health care reform. Kerpen said hospitals have become major employers in many congressional districts, while the health care industry has developed substantial lobbying influence. He said that political dynamics can make bipartisan reform difficult and pointed to the large amount of money spent lobbying on health care issues.

For listeners interested in Kerpen's health care reform proposals, he directed them to MostFavoredPatient.org, a project he said he has been working on with Steve Moore, Steve Forbes, and Tom Phillips.

Phil Kerpen, President of American Commitment, joined Ken Peel on Wake Up Tri-County to discuss Medicare drug pricing and recent declines in prescription costs. Kerpen argued the reported 3.1 percent drop in drug prices is tied to Trump-era competition policies, not the Inflation Reduction Act. He criticized federal price controls, saying they may discourage drug development, especially cancer research. Kerpen also urged patients to compare cash prices with insurance prices at the pharmacy, noting some prescriptions may cost less without insurance processing. He said broader direct-to-consumer sales and international trade pressure could further affect drug prices.

Jill from The YWCA of The Sauk Valley joined us for Friday. We reflected on The United Way Awards and Campaign Kick Off, and the recognition The Y received. And of course we talked about the services available thru their many programs.