Zack Cooper

Jill Wine-Banks

On today's show
– Zack Cooper, associate professor of public health and associate professor of economics at Yale University; he is also director of the Health Care Affordability Lab at Yale and serves as director of Health Policy at Yale's Tobin Center for Economic Policy
– Jill Wine-Banks, legal analyst, former general counsel of the U.S. Army, author of "The Watergate Girl," co-host of #SistersInLaw and host of Just The Facts with Jill Wine-Banks

Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).

 

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On today's show &ndash; <a href="https://tobin.yale.edu/people/zack-cooper">Zack Cooper</a>, associate professor of public health and associate professor of economics at Yale University; he is also director of the <a href="https://www.healthcareaffordabilitylab.org/">Health Care Affordability Lab</a> at Yale and serves as director of Health Policy at Yale's <a href="https://tobin.yale.edu/">Tobin Center for Economic Policy</a> &ndash; <a href="https://www.jillwinebanks.com/">Jill Wine-Banks</a>, legal analyst, former general counsel of the U.S. Army, author of "The Watergate Girl," co-host of <a href="https://www.politicon.com/podcast-title/sisters-in-law/">#SistersInLaw</a> and host of <a href="https://www.politicon.com/podcast-title/just-the-facts-with-jill-wine-banks/">Just The Facts with Jill Wine-Banks</a>
Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive">heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive</a>).
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From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, here are full episodes of "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central), a topical and interactive talk show that focuses on national, state and city politics.  

A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect — Democrats, of course.    

Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC.  Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). 

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, here are full episodes of "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central), a topical and interactive talk show that focuses on national, state and city politics. &nbsp;
A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect &mdash; Democrats, of course. &nbsp; &nbsp;
Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC. &nbsp;Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).&nbsp;

Joan Esposito (Full Episodes)

From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central) is a topical and interactive talk show that focuses on national, state and city politics. A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect — Democrats, of course.    

Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC.  Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). 

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central) is a topical and interactive talk show that focuses on national, state and city politics. A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect &mdash; Democrats, of course. &nbsp; &nbsp;
Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC. &nbsp;Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).&nbsp;

Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive

Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | October 2, 2026

Joan Esposito is joined by Zack Cooper, director of the Health Care Affordability Lab at Yale University and associate professor of public health and of economics at Yale. 

The discussion examined health care affordability and policy changes proposed through Yale Healthcare Affordability Lab’s 1% Steps for Health Care Reform project. Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- U.S. health care spending is nearly 20 percent of GDP, with family premiums around $28,000 annually and significant out-of-pocket costs.
- Hospital prices have risen faster than prices in other economic sectors, contributing to lost jobs and broader economic effects.
- Cooper argued that limited competition, hospital mergers, and acquisitions of physician practices drive higher prices and fewer patient choices.
- The discussion considered whether ownership type matters less than competition, transparency, and enforceable quality standards.
- The project identifies evidence-based interventions that could reduce costs without waiting for comprehensive reform.
- Aligning Medicare payments for hospital-owned and independent physician practices could reduce incentives for consolidation.
- A proposed “one baby, one bundle” payment would use one rate for vaginal and cesarean deliveries to reduce incentives for unnecessary cesarean sections. "Doctors respond to incentives," Cooper told WCPT, "and there are lots of reasons why we think there are too many cesarean sections happening nationwide, and often it's among moms who have a little less of an ability to negotiate for themselves. And it might be that at the end of a long shift, doc doesn't want to wait around and they sort of nudge mom to to get a cesarean section. And so we think less cesarean sections is a good thing. It also lowers spending. And so what they did in Arkansas was they basically said, look, instead of having a separate rate for cesarean sections and vaginal deliveries, we're going to have one payment rate that's sort of between the two, so that we're not creating a financial incentive for doctors to choose cesarean sections over vaginal deliveries. That's the kind of thing that we talk about in this project."

Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).

 

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Joan Esposito is joined by Zack Cooper, director of the <a href="https://www.healthcareaffordabilitylab.org/">Health Care Affordability Lab</a> at Yale University and associate professor of public health and of economics at Yale.&nbsp;
The discussion examined health care affordability and policy changes proposed through Yale Healthcare Affordability Lab&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.onepercentsteps.com/">1% Steps for Health Care Reform</a> project. Here are a few key points from the conversation: - U.S. health care spending is nearly 20 percent of GDP, with family premiums around $28,000 annually and significant out-of-pocket costs. - Hospital prices have risen faster than prices in other economic sectors, contributing to lost jobs and broader economic effects. - Cooper argued that limited competition, hospital mergers, and acquisitions of physician practices drive higher prices and fewer patient choices. - The discussion considered whether ownership type matters less than competition, transparency, and enforceable quality standards. - The project identifies evidence-based interventions that could reduce costs without waiting for comprehensive reform. - Aligning Medicare payments for hospital-owned and independent physician practices could reduce incentives for consolidation. - A proposed &ldquo;one baby, one bundle&rdquo; payment would use one rate for vaginal and cesarean deliveries to reduce incentives for unnecessary cesarean sections. "Doctors respond to incentives," Cooper told WCPT, "and there are lots of reasons why we think there are too many cesarean sections happening nationwide, and often it's among moms who have a little less of an ability to negotiate for themselves. And it might be that at the end of a long shift, doc doesn't want to wait around and they sort of nudge mom to to get a cesarean section. And so we think less cesarean sections is a good thing. It also lowers spending. And so what they did in Arkansas was they basically said, look, instead of having a separate rate for cesarean sections and vaginal deliveries, we're going to have one payment rate that's sort of between the two, so that we're not creating a financial incentive for doctors to choose cesarean sections over vaginal deliveries. That's the kind of thing that we talk about in this project."
Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home">heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home</a>).
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Zack Cooper: WCPT 820 Interview

Joan Esposito is joined by Dr. E.J. Fagan, associate professor of Political Science at the University of Illinois Chicago and author of "The Thinkers: The Rise of Partisan Think Tanks and the Polarization of American Politics" (2024).

The discussion examined how Democrats can prepare for future administrations, restore government capacity, and respond to Donald Trump’s political and policy choices.  

Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).

 

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Joan Esposito is joined by Dr. E.J. Fagan,&nbsp;<a href="https://pols.uic.edu/profiles/fagan-ej/">associate professor of Political Science at the University of Illinois Chicago</a> and author of "<a href="https://academic.oup.com/book/56447">The Thinkers: The Rise of Partisan Think Tanks and the Polarization of American Politics</a>" (2024).
The discussion examined how Democrats can prepare for future administrations, restore government capacity, and respond to Donald Trump&rsquo;s political and policy choices.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive">heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive</a>).
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Prof. E.J. Fagan: WCPT 820 Interview

Joan Esposito is joined by Allan Lichtman, distinguished professor of history at American University and author of the new book "Great American Presidents: The Twelve Who Transformed the Nation." He also recently wrote an article for MS NOW with the headline "Republicans in Congress aren’t afraid of Trump. They agree with him."

The discussion focused on historical threats to American democracy, current U.S. politics, and criteria for evaluating presidential leadership. Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Lichtman cited the Civil War, the Great Depression, World War II, and the Cold War as evidence that the United States has survived severe crises.
- He warned that democracy is fragile and urged Americans to vote and encourage others to vote and protest.
- He noted that low approval ratings, voter dissatisfaction with the Iran war, economic pressures, and the Epstein files have weakened Donald Trump’s support. Looking ahead to the midterms, he said, "Remember, he doesn't always win. He lost big in the midterm elections of 2018, and of course, he lost the presidency in 2020." 
- He said Republicans largely share Trump’s priorities, while Democrats are improving their messaging around programs benefiting ordinary Americans.
- Lichtman promoted his new book, "Great American Presidents," as a framework for evaluating past and future presidents, including a 10-point scorecard.
- He argued that periods following poor presidencies can produce transformative leadership.

Key quote: "There's so much misguided commentary that says Republicans always or almost always go along with Trump, certainly on things that matter, because they're afraid of him. There's some small truth to that. But the bigger truth is, they agree with him. Both today's Republicans and Donald Trump are the heirs of a hundred years of American conservative history. Forget what conservatives claim they're for -- limited government, ICE, anti-abortion, free markets, taxes, taking over shares in private businesses, attacking Venezuela so we can give their oil to private business. That has nothing to do with free enterprise. Fiscal responsibility? They've blown the biggest holes in our deficit.

"So what 100 years shows they're really all about is the same thing that Trump and today's MAGA is all about: number one, promotion not of free enterprise or free markets but private enterprise, as evidenced by tariffs, loan guarantees, subsidies, special tax breaks, attacks on unions. And the second thing, from Prohibition back in 1920 to anti-abortion today, is their own narrow, distorted view of traditional Christian values. They have focused on the most obscure, the most minor elements of Jesus's teaching. Is he really about transgender, homosexuality, abortion? Of course not. And they ignore the great bulk of Jesus's teaching, which is beware of wealth and greed. 'It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man' to reach heaven, fidelity to the truth, care for the poor, the vulnerable -- all of that is totally ignored, and they focus on these fringe elements of the Christian tradition to wage their culture wars. And these two elements that Trump and today's MAGA represent have been the consistent hardcore of conservatism from the 1920 through today."

Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).

 

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Joan Esposito is joined by Allan Lichtman, distinguished professor of history at American University and author of the new book "Great American Presidents: The Twelve Who Transformed the Nation." He also recently wrote an article for MS NOW with the headline "<a href="https://www.ms.now/opinion/republicans-agree-trump-project-47">Republicans in Congress aren&rsquo;t afraid of Trump. They agree with him</a>."
The discussion focused on historical threats to American democracy, current U.S. politics, and criteria for evaluating presidential leadership. Here are a few key points from the conversation: - Lichtman cited the Civil War, the Great Depression, World War II, and the Cold War as evidence that the United States has survived severe crises. - He warned that democracy is fragile and urged Americans to vote and encourage others to vote and protest. - He noted that low approval ratings, voter dissatisfaction with the Iran war, economic pressures, and the Epstein files have weakened Donald Trump&rsquo;s support. Looking ahead to the midterms, he said, "Remember, he doesn't always win. He lost big in the midterm elections of 2018, and of course, he lost the presidency in 2020."&nbsp; - He said Republicans largely share Trump&rsquo;s priorities, while Democrats are improving their messaging around programs benefiting ordinary Americans. - Lichtman promoted his new book, "Great American Presidents," as a framework for evaluating past and future presidents, including a 10-point scorecard. - He argued that periods following poor presidencies can produce transformative leadership.
Key quote: "There's so much misguided commentary that says Republicans always or almost always go along with Trump, certainly on things that matter, because they're afraid of him. There's some small truth to that. But the bigger truth is, they agree with him. Both today's Republicans and Donald Trump are the heirs of a hundred years of American conservative history. Forget what conservatives claim they're for -- limited government, ICE, anti-abortion, free markets, taxes, taking over shares in private businesses, attacking Venezuela so we can give their oil to private business. That has nothing to do with free enterprise. Fiscal responsibility? They've blown the biggest holes in our deficit.
"So what 100 years shows they're really all about is the same thing that Trump and today's MAGA is all about: number one, promotion not of free enterprise or free markets but private enterprise, as evidenced by tariffs, loan guarantees, subsidies, special tax breaks, attacks on unions. And the second thing, from Prohibition back in 1920 to anti-abortion today, is their own narrow, distorted view of traditional Christian values. They have focused on the most obscure, the most minor elements of Jesus's teaching. Is he really about transgender, homosexuality, abortion? Of course not. And they ignore the great bulk of Jesus's teaching, which is beware of wealth and greed. 'It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man' to reach heaven, fidelity to the truth, care for the poor, the vulnerable -- all of that is totally ignored, and they focus on these fringe elements of the Christian tradition to wage their culture wars. And these two elements that Trump and today's MAGA represent have been the consistent hardcore of conservatism from the 1920 through today."
Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive">heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive</a>).
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | October 2, 2026

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