Our annual Predictions Series kicks off with Ryan Howells, Principal at Leavitt Partners, and Kristen Valdes, Founder and CEO of b.well Connected Health, as they have fun and offer predictions about consumer health in 2026 and beyond. Stay tuned as they share a vision of how today’s health IT policies and investments can make tomorrow’s consumer-centered ecosystem a reality. Spoiler alert: it’s about implementing open standards. 

All that, plus the Flava of the Week about CMS’ health tech ecosystem. What progress did their latest health tech event represent, and how important is the vision of interoperability that they’re creating? 

JOIN THE COMMUNITY 

This show is produced by the Healthcare Rap Community. Come learn how to bridge the gap between sick care and well care as we highlight the consumer POV in healthcare. 

Join today: healthcarerapcommunity.com

(#474)

Our annual Predictions Series kicks off with&nbsp;Ryan Howells, Principal at Leavitt Partners, and Kristen Valdes, Founder and CEO of b.well Connected Health, as they have fun and offer predictions about consumer health in 2026 and beyond. Stay tuned as they share a vision of how today&rsquo;s health IT policies and investments can make tomorrow&rsquo;s consumer-centered ecosystem a reality. Spoiler alert: it&rsquo;s about implementing open standards.&nbsp;
All that, plus the Flava of the Week about CMS&rsquo; health tech ecosystem. What progress did their latest health tech event represent, and how important is the vision of interoperability that they&rsquo;re creating?&nbsp;
JOIN THE COMMUNITY&nbsp;
This show is produced by the <a href="http://healthcarerapcommunity.com/">Healthcare Rap Community</a>. Come learn how to bridge the gap between sick care and well care as we highlight the consumer POV in healthcare.&nbsp;
Join today:&nbsp;<a href="http://healthcarerapcommunity.com/">healthcarerapcommunity.com</a>
(#474)

Healthcare Rap is the leading podcast about consumer-centered health. Hosts Jared Johnson and Zain Ismail spotlight the consumer POV in healthcare and highlight innovators bridging the gap between traditional sick care and preventive well care. It ranks in the top 5% of all podcasts globally and is one of the longest-lasting shows in the industry, passing 500 episodes and 8 years on the air in 2026. 

Healthcare leaders learn the latest ways that healthcare is being designed, marketed, and delivered to consumers. And health consumers learn how these options work and why they might be right for them and their loved ones. 

It's more than a show; it's a mission. 

Topics for 2026: 
Connected fitness 
GLP-1's / weight loss 
Wearables
Longevity and diagnostics 
Food as medicine / nutrition 
Preventive health and wellness 
Digital Front Door 
Nontraditional care models - direct primary care, retail care, health at home, digital health, functional and integrative health 
Digital health and consumer brands making waves and new entrants making a splash 

Topics not covered: 
Clinical leadership 
Cybersecurity 
Health information management 
Interoperability 
Revenue cycle 

<a href="https://healthcarerap.com/"></a>Healthcare Rap is the leading podcast about consumer-centered health. Hosts Jared Johnson and Zain Ismail spotlight the consumer POV in healthcare and highlight innovators bridging the gap between traditional sick care and preventive well care. It ranks in the top 5% of all podcasts globally and is one of the longest-lasting shows in the industry, passing 500 episodes and 8 years on the air in 2026.&nbsp;
Healthcare leaders learn the latest ways that healthcare is being designed, marketed, and delivered to consumers. And health consumers learn how these options work and why they might be right for them and their loved ones.&nbsp;
It's more than a show; it's a mission.&nbsp;
Topics for 2026:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Connected fitness&nbsp;</li>
<li>GLP-1's / weight loss&nbsp;</li>
<li>Wearables</li>
<li>Longevity and diagnostics&nbsp;</li>
<li>Food as medicine / nutrition&nbsp;</li>
<li>Preventive health and wellness&nbsp;</li>
<li>Digital Front Door&nbsp;</li>
<li>Nontraditional care models - direct primary care, retail care, health at home, digital health, functional and integrative health&nbsp;</li>
<li>Digital health and consumer brands making waves and new entrants making a splash&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Topics not&nbsp;covered:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Clinical leadership&nbsp;</li>
<li>Cybersecurity&nbsp;</li>
<li>Health information management&nbsp;</li>
<li>Interoperability&nbsp;</li>
<li>Revenue cycle&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

The leading podcast about consumer-centered health

Healthcare Rap

Healthcare Rap Media is a healthcare media and community platform facilitating conversations between healthcare leaders, marketers, operators, innovators, and technology companies through podcasts, virtual events, collaborative cohorts, research, and micro-content experiences.

Healthcare Rap Media is a healthcare media and community platform facilitating conversations between healthcare leaders, marketers, operators, innovators, and technology companies through podcasts, virtual events, collaborative cohorts, research, and micro-content experiences.