Congressman Tom Oliverson on 340b, the No Surprises Act, gold carding, and more

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Episode Summary 

In this episode of the Doctor's Lounge, Anthony DiGiorgio speaks with Hon. Tom Oliverson, MD, Texas State Representative for House District 130 and chair of the House Republican Caucus. Dr. Oliverson shares how he moved from medicine into public service, why practicing physicians should remain involved in policymaking, and what Texas is doing to address healthcare affordability. They also dig into 340B, prior authorization reform, and the origins of the No Surprises Act.

Chapter Markers
00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Tom Oliverson and his Texas healthcare policy role
01:24 - From Cut and Shoot to Baylor and a medical career
05:01 - Why running for office felt like a calling
08:02 - Why Texas lawmakers are expected to keep real jobs
13:30 - The healthcare affordability committee and the expert testimony it drew
16:28 - Consolidation as a major driver of healthcare cost growth
18:49 - Why direct contracting may replace traditional networks
22:49 - What the future could look like in a Singapore-style transparent market
23:53 - ERISA limits, state authority, and the frustration of federal preemption
25:17 - Medicaid payment, fraud, and what states can still influence
28:06 - Using Medicaid buying power to push back on abusive pharmacy practices
29:15 - 340B as a “Robin Hood” program with perverse incentives
36:03 - Why Texas is pushing transparency on 340B revenue and pricing
37:38 - The gold carding law and prior authorization reform
43:43 - A Capitol cardiac arrest and a real-life case with Dr. Bonnen
46:35 - What Texas can and cannot regulate in state insurance markets
48:47 - Texas roots of the No Surprises Act
51:43 - How Texas arbitration was designed to define fair market value
54:25 - Why the federal NSA lost key guardrails
61:41 - Texas opt-in for ERISA plans and why that matters
66:49 - Cash deductible credit when patients choose cheaper care
68:45 - Compounding, GLP-1 dosing, and preserving access through customization
70:09 - Peptides, prevention, food access, and the case for lifestyle-based care
72:34 - Closing thoughts on free markets, 340B, and healthy food

Co-Host Handles

@anish_koka and @DrDiGiorgio

Show Handle

@DRsLoungePod

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Official Texas House Select Committee on Health Care Affordability page:

https://house.texas.gov/committees/committee/059

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