The ASHHRA Podcast
The ASHHRA Podcast is the definitive audio briefing for healthcare HR leaders navigating what’s next.
Hosted by Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan, this weekly podcast explores the forces reshaping the healthcare workforce, from talent shortages and leadership burnout to data-driven HR strategy, labor relations, and policy shifts that impact care delivery.
Each episode features candid conversations with CHROs, senior executives, and industry change-makers who are solving real problems inside hospitals and health systems right now. No theory, no fluff, just practical insight from leaders in the arena.
Listeners gain clarity on complex workforce challenges, early signals on emerging trends, and grounded perspectives that help bridge strategy and people operations. Whether you lead HR for a health system, support workforce strategy, or influence organizational culture, this podcast equips you to make better decisions with confidence.
New episodes drop weekly, with timely news updates, deep-dive conversations, and forward-looking insights designed for healthcare HR leaders preparing for 2026 and beyond.
The ASHHRA Podcast
#196 - The Science and Economics of GLP1s
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In one of our most eye-opening conversations yet, Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan sit down with clinical pharmacist Langley Kyle to unpack the truth behind GLP-1 medications—Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, tirzepatide, and their compounded counterparts. Whether you're an HR leader, benefits strategist, or simply trying to understand why GLP-1s dominate workplace conversations, this episode breaks it all down with clarity, expertise, and a surprising amount of laughter.
From skyrocketing utilization to social-media-driven demand, Langley reveals what she’s seeing across employer plans nationwide…and what’s coming next.
💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
1️. Why GLP-1 Coverage Is So Complicated
Only 20–30% of self-insured employers currently cover weight-loss GLP-1s. Langley explains why cost, demand, and new FDA indications (sleep apnea, cardiovascular risk reduction, MASH) are forcing employers to rethink their approach.
2️. Compounded GLP-1s: Benefits, Risks, and the FDA Crackdown
With compounding pharmacies filling the gap during shortages, Langley outlines the regulatory gray zones, quality concerns, and why the FDA is beginning to tighten oversight.
3️. The Retention Strategy No One Expected
Luke and Bo share firsthand experiences using compounded tirzepatide—and reveal why GLP-1 coverage may soon become a powerful recruitment and retention tool, particularly in healthcare organizations competing for scarce talent.
4️. The Real Problem: Maintenance vs. Cure
Most members stay on GLP-1s long-term. Langley discusses behavior change, wellness integration, and why employers must pair medication access with coaching, nutrition, and lifestyle programs to create sustainable health outcomes.
5️. The Future of Pharmacy Costs
From oral GLP-1s to AI-accelerated drug development, the trio explores how innovation—and litigation—may reshape pricing, access, and plan design over the next decade.
💬 Quote to Remember:
“GLP-1s aren’t going anywhere. The conversation just keeps getting louder.”
🎧 Why This Episode Matters
GLP-1s are no longer a fringe benefit topic. They are transforming employee expectations, affecting plan costs, and reshaping how HR leaders think about population health. Langley’s insights provide a roadmap for making smarter, more sustainable decisions in 2025 and beyond.
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