Marketplace Morning Report

Episode: The rise of cash-only care
Date: December 16, 2025
Host: Sabri Benishour (in for David Brancaccio)

Episode Overview

This episode covers three main economic and business news stories affecting Americans today. Topics include the ongoing weakness in the U.S. labor market amid government layoffs, Ford's pullback from electric vehicles in response to changing policies, and the accelerating trend of cash-only care in healthcare, as more people seek direct, affordable access to doctors without insurance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Labor Market Stagnation

• Guest: David Kelly, Chief Global Strategist, JP Morgan Funds

• Timestamps: 01:02–03:10

  • The economy added just 64,000 jobs in November, softening from October's loss of 105,000 positions.
  • The unemployment rate stands at 4.6%, rising from last year and recent months.
  • Much of the recent job loss is due to government layoffs and employee buyouts, notably affecting 162,000 government workers in October.
  • Many federal workers had already left their roles following a buyout program, which contributed to these figures.
  • Private sector job creation remains sluggish, averaging only 46,000 jobs per month over the past seven months.
  • Despite the weak data, the Federal Reserve is not expected to shift its interest rate approach until at least early 2026, when income tax refunds may temporarily boost consumer spending and employment.

  Memorable Quote:
  “No, it’s a pretty grinchy report. We’ve lost jobs in three out of the last seven months and the average job growth has been 17,000 jobs per month, which is miserably low.”
  —David Kelly (01:40)

2. Ford’s Shift in Electric Vehicle Strategy

• Reporter: Nancy Marshall Genser

• Timestamps: 03:10–04:51

  • Ford is discontinuing its fully electric F150 Lightning truck and canceling other electric vehicle (EV) programs, citing:
    • Lower-than-expected demand
    • High costs
    • Regulatory changes under the Trump administration, notably the expiration of the federal EV tax credit and relaxed emissions regulations
  • The company is redirecting its focus to hybrid and gas-powered vehicles and plans to convert its battery factories to produce storage systems due to increasing energy needs from data centers.
  • Ford aims for about half of its global sales to be hybrids, EVs, or extended-range EVs by 2030.

  Notable Statement:
  “This retooling will cost Ford more than $19 billion now. The company will charge ahead with hybrids.”
  —Nancy Marshall Genser (03:46)

3. The Rise of Cash-Only Care in Healthcare

• Reporter: Alex Olgen

• Timestamps: 05:51–08:46

  • With health insurance premiums rising and Affordable Care Act subsidies diminishing for over 20 million, more people are seeking out cash-only or "direct primary care" (DPC) models.
  • Case Study:
    • Brittany Pollard, self-employed postpartum doula, dropped ACA insurance after paying thousands in deductibles for little coverage.
    • Now pays $90/month for unlimited access to her doctor, Amy Schrader, with discounted rates for labs and tests.
    • Both patient and doctor highlight greater satisfaction and financial transparency in the model.
  • Doctor’s Perspective:
    • Dr. Schrader favors the DPC model for its flexibility and ability to offer better, more attentive care.
    • Acknowledges limitations—cash-only is not a full substitute for insurance, especially for specialists or unexpected major medical needs.
    • The model is spreading rapidly: About 10% of family physicians now offer cash-only care, up threefold from recent years.
  • Industry Trend:
    • Dr. Jeffrey Davenport of the Direct Primary Care Alliance notes the model’s expansion into more specialties (pediatrics, internal medicine, rheumatology, etc.)
    • With insurance premiums set to rise further in 2026, the shift toward DPC is expected to accelerate.

  Key Perspectives:
  “I really felt listened to… Not just a problem to be fixed, you know, not just a billing code.”
  —Brittany Pollard (06:25)

  “I love saving people money. I love it when I look up the cost of a lab and I’m like, ‘this only costs $2.’”
  —Dr. Amy Schrader (07:14)

  “The resources are limited. That's a challenge to be able to hook them up with their… things like therapy or specialty care.”
  —Dr. Amy Schrader (07:34)

  “We’ve kind of reached a critical mass.”
  —Dr. Jeffrey Davenport, Direct Primary Care Alliance (08:11)

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• “No, it’s a pretty grinchy report. We’ve lost jobs in three out of the last seven months and the average job growth has been 17,000 jobs per month, which is miserably low.”
  —David Kelly (01:40)
• “I really felt listened to… Not just a problem to be fixed, you know, not just a billing code.”
  —Brittany Pollard (06:25)
• “I love saving people money. I love it when I look up the cost of a lab and I’m like, ‘this only costs $2.’”
  —Dr. Amy Schrader (07:14)
• “This is filling a gap. You know, I was falling through the cracks of the system and this has gotten me the support that I need so I can live my life.”
  —Amy Schrader (07:53)
• “We’ve kind of reached a critical mass.”
  —Dr. Jeffrey Davenport (08:11)

Key Timestamps

• 01:02–03:10 — U.S. jobs report analysis with David Kelly
• 03:10–04:51 — Ford pivots away from fully electric vehicles
• 05:51–08:46 — Cash-only care feature: patient stories, doctor’s perspective, industry trend

Summary

This episode delivers a tight briefing on major shifts in the labor market, auto industry, and healthcare, exploring both policy impacts and the human stories behind the headlines. Rising costs and regulatory changes are triggering adaptation across sectors—from Ford’s strategic shifts to Americans’ search for affordable, straightforward healthcare. The emerging preference for cash-only care, in particular, highlights the ongoing challenges and creativity in the American healthcare landscape.