Local Healthcare Podcast Features Industry Expert on Navigating America’s Complex Healthcare System
[The Hidden Triple Aim “Power, Control and Money” Clip from Ep. 3 CLEARly Beneficial Podcast]
Tune into the CLEARly Beneficial podcast with your host, Vinny Catalano, and guest, Judith Kunisch. Listen on Buzzsprout, Substack, YouTube or any of your favorite podcast channels.
Judith Kunisch, author of “The Center of the Star,” joins CLEARly Beneficial podcast to decode healthcare’s five interconnected sectors
In the latest episode of the CLEARly Beneficial podcast, Sacramento-based healthcare consultant Vinny Catalano sits down with Judith Kunisch, veteran healthcare executive and author, to explore the intricate structure of America’s $4.5 trillion healthcare system and what it means for consumers, providers, and policymakers alike.
The conversation centers on Kunisch’s newly published book, “The Center of the Star,” which breaks down the healthcare industry into five interconnected sectors that often operate independently, creating confusion and inefficiencies for everyone involved.
“Healthcare is the second largest industry globally, and it affects far more people than just healthcare providers,” said Kunisch during the episode. “Understanding how these different parts interact is essential for anyone trying to make informed decisions or drive meaningful change in the system.”
The Star Model: A Framework for Understanding Healthcare
Kunisch’s “star” framework identifies five key sectors of the healthcare ecosystem: consumers/patients, payers, healthcare providers, policymakers, and the Health Industrial Complex (including pharmaceutical companies and research institutions). The book explains how each sector operates, traces the evolution of the U.S. healthcare system over the past century, and addresses four critical issues facing healthcare today: population health, cost of care, the distinction between consumers and patients, and the impact of artificial intelligence.
“Most people experience healthcare as patients seeking care, but they rarely see how payers, providers, policymakers, and industry players all interact—or fail to interact—behind the scenes,” Catalano noted. “Judith’s book provides that missing perspective from the center of the star, where all these sectors converge.”
Beyond the Triple Aim: Understanding Hidden Drivers
The episode, “Understanding How Healthcare Works from an Industry Insider”, delves into what Kunisch calls the “Hidden Triple Aim”—power, control, and money—which she identifies as the often-overlooked drivers of decision-making in U.S. healthcare, operating alongside the widely discussed Triple Aim framework of quality, population health, and cost-effectiveness developed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in 2004.
“While healthcare executives talk about quality and patient care, they rarely discuss the financial pressures and power dynamics that influence decisions,” Catalano observed. “Judith brings those realities into the open without judgment, which is exactly the kind of honest conversation we need.”
The discussion also explores the critical yet frequently invisible role of brokers and consultants who serve as intermediaries in the healthcare system, helping to navigate the complexity between employers, employees, insurance providers, and healthcare delivery systems.
The Future of Healthcare: Reasons for Optimism
Despite acknowledging ongoing challenges with healthcare costs and access, Kunisch expressed optimism about improvements in population health and the potential for artificial intelligence to transform operations management and reduce administrative burdens.
“We need to shift from a ‘patient’ mindset to a ‘consumer’ mindset,” Kunisch explained. “That means questioning unnecessary procedures, understanding the true costs of care, and taking more active ownership of our health decisions.”
Independent Voice in Healthcare
Catalano’s independence as a consultant allows him to host conversations that others in the industry may be unable to facilitate due to corporate constraints. With over 22 years of experience working across the healthcare ecosystem—from health systems and insurers to medical groups and point solution providers—he brings a unique perspective to these discussions.
“I wanted to create a platform where we can have real conversations about healthcare’s challenges and solutions,” said Catalano. “Judith’s book and her experience across multiple sectors of healthcare made her the perfect guest for this kind of deep dive.” To purchase “The Center of the Star” by Judith Kunisch, visit Amazon.
About Judith Kunisch
Judith Kunisch is a veteran healthcare executive and author of “The Center of the Star,” a comprehensive guide to understanding America’s complex healthcare system. Drawing from her extensive career across multiple sectors—from managed care organizations to insurance—she brings a unique insider’s perspective on how the nation’s second-largest industry actually operates.
Her “star” framework identifies five interconnected parts of the healthcare system and explains how they interact, overlap, and sometimes work at cross purposes. Judith is particularly known for introducing the concept of the “Hidden Triple Aim”—power, control, and money—as the often-unspoken drivers behind healthcare decision-making in America.
About CLEAR Healthcare Solutions
CLEAR Healthcare Solutions is a consulting firm specializing in medical practice improvement, employee benefit strategy, point solution go-to-market strategy, expense reduction, and healthcare and insurance education. The company leverages over two decades of industry relationships and expertise to bring fresh perspectives to healthcare and business challenges.
About The CLEARly Beneficial Podcast
The CLEARly Beneficial podcast rips off the band-aid on healthcare and explores the future of benefits with industry innovators. Whether you’re an insurance broker, HR professional, employer, or engaged professional, the podcast delivers straight talk and actionable insights from someone with decades in the trenches. The show takes a solution-oriented approach, featuring conversations with healthcare CEOs, authors, innovators, and leaders driving positive change across industries.
New episodes are released weekly on all major podcast platforms.
For more information, visit www.clearhcs.com or connect with Vinny Catalano on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/vcatalano.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. Please discuss your specific situation with your health benefits administrator or insurance provider for personalized guidance.