Podcast Summary: Becker’s Healthcare Podcast
Episode: Scott Becker - 10 Healthcare News Stories We Are Following Today
Date: November 19, 2025

Episode Overview

In this concise news roundup, host Scott Becker highlights the top 10 healthcare stories shaping the industry as of November 19, 2025. The episode focuses on trends in hospital closures, workforce changes, Medicare Advantage plans, leadership updates, and significant moves from major health systems. Becker delivers succinct analysis and a sense of urgency regarding the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Direct-to-Employer Care (00:54)

• Story: Henry Ford Health announces a shift toward direct-to-employer care.
• Insight: This move is indicative of a broader trend in response to healthcare costs and system complexity. More systems and physician groups are pursuing direct arrangements rather than traditional models.
• Scott Becker Quote:

  "We see more and more of these efforts where people are looking at big systems, big physician groups, others looking at direct primary care, direct relationships—things that people talked about 10 years ago but never reacted on. But now as the costs are out of line, we do see people moving in that direction..." (01:05)

2. Hospital Closure, ER Stays Open (01:34)

• Story: A New Jersey hospital closes but keeps its ER services operational.
• Insight: Maintaining emergency services offers limited continuity for the community despite larger hospital shutdowns.

3. Baystate Health Employee Buyouts (01:52)

• Story: Massachusetts’ Baystate Health offers employee buyouts due to financial concerns.
• Insight: Even well-regarded systems face serious economic pressure, resulting in workforce reductions to stay afloat.

4. Widespread Job Cuts (02:08)

• Story: 89 systems are currently cutting jobs, according to Becker’s regularly updated list.
• Insight: The trend reveals an industry-wide focus on margin improvement and efficiency.

5. Medicare Advantage Plan Retrenchment (02:22)

• Story: 33 health systems are withdrawing from Medicare Advantage plans.
• Insight: Health systems feel "abused by payers" and are strategically abandoning markets they deem unsustainable.
• Scott Becker Quote:

  "... as they feel like they’re getting abused by payers in the Medicare Advantage market. Cutting out of that." (02:27)

6. Notable Interview: Mount Sinai’s Dr. Teitelbaum (02:38)

• Story: Becker references a recent interview with Dr. Steven Teitelbaum, leader at Mount Sinai.
• Insight: Spotlight on leadership perspectives and operational strategies.
• Scott Becker Quote:

  "Fantastic to interview Mount Sinai leader Dr. Steven Teitelbaum yesterday... just a pleasure to deal and visit with Dr. Teitelbaum." (02:41)

7. Hospital Shooting Tragedy (02:54)

• Story: A security guard killed in a shooting at Montefiore, St Luke’s Cornwall, NY.
• Insight: Highlights the ongoing safety concerns within hospital environments.
• Scott Becker Quote:

  "...a horrendous situation. One dead in the New York hospital shooting. A security guard was killed at Montefiore, St Luke’s Cornwall. Just an awful situation." (02:58)

8. Leadership Change at NY Presbyterian (03:18)

• Story: Dr. Steven Corwin, longtime president of New York Presbyterian, set to retire.
• Insight: Marking the end of an era for one of the country’s leading systems.
• Scott Becker Quote:

  "Dr. Corwin, NYP has excelled incredibly. He’s an incredible leader, incredible service." (03:24)

9. Mayo Clinic Tech Rollout (03:32)

• Story: Mayo Clinic to release a new platform for health systems.
• Insight: Demonstrates Mayo Clinic's role as an innovator in healthcare operations, alongside peers like Cleveland Clinic.
• Scott Becker Quote:

  "Just incredible what Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic continue to do in general and what they’re doing here." (03:36)

10. Ratings Downgrades and Administrative Overhauls (03:44)

• Story: 27 systems with credit rating downgrades; Kentucky hospital dismisses CEO, shifting to an administrative model.
• Insight: Financial strain and leadership restructuring are pervasive; organizations are seeking new models to survive.
• Scott Becker Quote:

  "A Kentucky hospital dismisses its CEO and tries to move to more an administrative model. Watching that closely and watching those kinds of moves throughout the country as people try and cut costs and cut payroll." (04:03)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Direct Primary Care Trend:

  "Things that people talked about 10 years ago but never reacted on. But now as the costs are out of line, we do see people moving in that direction..." — Scott Becker (01:07)

• Medicare Advantage Withdrawal:

  "...as they feel like they’re getting abused by payers in the Medicare Advantage market." — Scott Becker (02:27)

• Acknowledgment of Loss:

  "Just an awful situation." — Scott Becker on NY hospital shooting (02:58)

• Reflection on Leadership:

  "Dr. Corwin, NYP has excelled incredibly. He’s an incredible leader, incredible service." — Scott Becker (03:24)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Direct-to-Employer Care: 00:54–01:34
• Hospital Closures & ER Update: 01:34–01:52
• Employee Buyouts (Baystate): 01:52–02:08
• Job Cuts (89 Systems): 02:08–02:22
• Medicare Advantage Dropouts: 02:22–02:38
• Mount Sinai Interview: 02:38–02:54
• Hospital Shooting: 02:54–03:18
• NY Presbyterian Leadership Change: 03:18–03:32
• Mayo Clinic Platform Release: 03:32–03:44
• Ratings Downgrades/Admin Changes: 03:44–end

Conclusion

Scott Becker delivers a brisk, insight-rich summary of the top 10 healthcare developments shaping the current landscape. From cost-driven care model shifts and hospital closures to leadership transitions and financial downgrades, the episode emphasizes both the challenges and innovations defining U.S. healthcare in late 2025.