Alexandra Olgin

Currently in Portland, OR. Formerly at @tradeoffspod @GistHealthcare and public radio stations in NC, SC, AZ.

[Alexandra Olgin @Alexolgin]

This is so much more than just a profile of a cool program in Durham to help people in crisis. @ryan_levi did several ride alongs, talked to the team, patients and the skeptics. It's definitely worth a listen!

[Tradeoffs @tradeoffspod]

🚨 New Episode Alert 🚨

Dive into the second episode of The Fifth Branch, our new series with @MarshallProj, where we explore the question: how do you keep crisis responders and the people they’re helping safe?

🎧 Listen now: https://t.co/Y2hNuDjCxM

[Tradeoffs @tradeoffspod]

How do you convince police officers that it makes sense to send unarmed mental health workers to some 911 calls?

Part 1 of "The Fifth Branch," our new special series with @MarshallProj is out today. Listen and subscribe ⬇️

https://t.co/bnExbTy1NP

[Alexandra Olgin @Alexolgin]

Excited to be at this years #HJ24 in NYC. It's great to connect with other reporters and hear new story ideas from sources. Say hi to @tradeoffspod if you're here!

[Alexandra Olgin @Alexolgin]

There's been so much news about the number of practices Optum/United is acquiring. I was curious to hear how docs decided whether to work for the insurance giant.

[Tradeoffs @tradeoffspod]

This week, we talked to one Oregon doctor about how industry consolidation is affecting both doctors and patients.

https://t.co/nXMyyRTawb

[Alexandra Olgin @Alexolgin]

I'm looking for an IVF patient for a
@tradeoffspod story. Someone who used price and quality info to compare clinics. Some new research shows corporate investment in IVF clinics is actually improving outcomes. Our episode is exploring why. My email is [email protected]

[Tradeoffs @tradeoffspod]

Celebrities are talking about them.
Everyday people are curious.
And employers are apprehensive.

Today, why drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy pose a unique dilemma for businesses: How do they cover the cost of these medications without busting their budgets?

https://t.co/zr7K7vgdHC

[Ryan Levi @ryan_levi]

"I don’t know a single parent of a teenage girl who is not incredibly worried about ... their teenager’s mental health."

Huge t/y to @ethierka, @stbbarnes, @HeidiWhiteSipe, @YG_Chicago + Shekinah for helping us dig into the girls mental health crisis — and what schools can do.

[Alexandra Olgin @Alexolgin]

A little perspective on the cost of Wegovy in the US. @safetynetplans told @statnews it's cheaper to fly from Indiana to London monthly to get the drug than to get it at a local drugstore. https://t.co/wbo8QDYrMe

[Alexandra Olgin @Alexolgin]

What do elevator rides and road trips have to do with Medicare's price negotiation plans? You need to listen to today's @tradeoffspod episode by @leslie_walker_ and @dmgorenstein to find out.

[Tradeoffs @tradeoffspod]

What’s a fair price to pay for prescription drugs?

Medicare will soon try to answer that question for the very first time.

We explain the hard, high-stakes work ahead for the federal agency as it heads into historic price negotiations with pharma.

https://t.co/WPnzAg5wwl

[Alexandra Olgin @Alexolgin]

In today’s @tradeoffspod @ashishkjha talks about the shift from studying policy to implementing it.
“The policy prescriptions I would have before I went to the White House fully reflected my values. Those were not the perfect policy solutions for America.” https://t.co/OlXwBIxm8z

[Alexandra Olgin @Alexolgin]

My colleague @ryan_levi has been all over the 988 story since it's launch last year. Make sure to listen to his piece evaluating the mental health crisis line's first year.

[Tradeoffs @tradeoffspod]

It's been one year since America introduced its new easy-to-remember 3 digital mental health crisis line: 988.

So far, call volumes are up, wait times are down, and the reviews are mixed.

This week, we unpack the first year of 988.

https://t.co/hyW9hilHGz

[Ryan Levi @ryan_levi]

This is one of my favorite stories I've done with @tradeoffspod. Please take some time to listen to Lee's story and how policymakers are trying to help people like him.

[Tradeoffs @tradeoffspod]

While you’re smelling flowers 🌹
Medicare’s getting new drug pricing powers
So we brought on our show
The person who’s giving negotiation a go

Subscribe to hear our interview this week with Medicare director @drmeenasesh:
https://t.co/7EQohU3biV

#HealthPolicyValentines

[Tradeoffs @tradeoffspod]

Wondering what the 71 pages of guidance @CMSGov just released are about?

Senior producer @leslie_walker_ has you covered with a special explainer on the guidance and what it means for Medicare’s 64 million beneficiaries.

Read more: https://t.co/FEzvD3GQ5P

[Leslie Walker @leslie_walker_]

After 20 years, Humira finally faces competition from 8 biosimilars, but its maker AbbVie only expects sales to drop 37% this year.

Our deep dive on why: https://t.co/LhOQFiwg9s

[Tradeoffs @tradeoffspod]

Health care prices went from tightly held secrets to the subject of public meetings in MA. 8 other states are trying to do the same thing to hold down health care costs.

Today, we explore state efforts to slow down spending without hurting industry.

https://t.co/Reecax7QFz

[Ryan Levi @ryan_levi]

First health policy mention is about the Inflation Reduction Act, which finally delivered on a longstanding Democratic goal of allowing Medicare to negotiate some Rx drug prices.

@tradeoffspod took a deep look at the jockeying to implement the law.

https://t.co/SBjsCnpkRW

[Ryan Levi @ryan_levi]

Health care is full of obstacles and confusing jargon.

So @askdrfitz is pushing doctors and insurers to make things simpler, build trust and meet people where they're at (AKA in their communities and on their phones).

https://t.co/JO3JP5Sfwg

[Tradeoffs @tradeoffspod]

Hungry for info about the 8+ Humira biosimilars coming to market this year?

We serve up some nuggets in this week's episode.

It's not exactly a happy meal, but we hope it's helpful.

See what we did there?

More: https://t.co/gcYgNvUmjh