Welcome to Relocalizing Health with Dave Chase. In this episode, we explore what happens when a clinical leader takes health care into their own hands for both their patients and their employees. We'll meet Tim Spooner, a physical therapist who, in 1990, opened a single clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona with the conviction that the right care, at the right time, can transform lives. Thirty-five years later, Tim leads Arizona's largest private PT practice, operates clinics across Arizona and Texas, and runs Solve Global, a company that's reshaping how employers nationwide address musculoskeletal health.

But Tim's story doesn't stop with clinical excellence. Frustrated by skyrocketing premiums, opaque data, and decreasing reimbursements, he set out to redesign his company's health plan from the ground up. In the process, he redirected money typically lost to the old system back into his people, offering benefits like tuition reimbursement, direct primary care memberships, and robust musculoskeletal solutions. His efforts not only earned national recognition but also inspired other PT practices to follow suit.

Today, we'll dive into Tim's journey of leadership and innovation, the challenges he faced, and how his blueprint for change is empowering others to reclaim health care, making it more transparent, effective, and people-focused. Stay tuned as we learn what it truly means to "walk the talk" in health care and why the proof is in the room.

Timestamps:

00:00 How Tim Spooner got started

03:28 Discovering rising healthcare costs

08:06 High hospital markup example

13:14 Regenerative medicine success stories

15:36 Proactive healthcare and early intervention

19:57 Challenges for healthcare professionals

22:48 Transitioning to self-insured healthcare

24:12 Leadership and driving results

26:59 Medical costs and MRI findings

30:43 Navigating healthcare payment models

36:11 Closing advice for key audiences

36:49 Partnering with clinical practice leaders

Learn More:

RosettaFest 2025 - https://rosettafest.org/

Health Rosetta - http://healthrosetta.org/

Nautilus - https://www.nautilushealth.org/

Kynexions - https://kynexions.com/

Dave Chase - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasedave/

Podcast Website - https://relocalizinghealth.com/

On this episode of Relocalizing Health, host Dave Chase sits down with family physician and author Michael Fine, a leading voice in healthcare reform and the driving force behind Primary Care for All Americans. Together, they unpack the provocative idea of medicine as a form of colonialism, exploring how corporate healthcare systems extract wealth from local communities and diminish their capacity for self-governance.

Michael Fine draws on decades of experience, from running a small family practice to leading the Rhode Island Department of Health, to illustrate the devastating impact of for-profit healthcare on both patients and the social fabric of our towns. He shares revealing moments that highlight the true cost of primary care versus the astronomical amounts funneled out of communities, and explains why universal, community-driven primary care could be the linchpin for both improved health outcomes and economic resilience.

The conversation doesn’t just examine what’s broken, it spotlights grassroots solutions and social movements rekindling democracy and civic engagement in healthcare. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of community health initiatives, the simple mechanics behind local health plans, and strategies that unite both fiscal conservatives and progressives in the fight to reclaim healthcare dollars. Through stories of hope, frustration, and action, this episode charts a path for how all Americans, clinicians, citizens, and policymakers alike can join together to rebuild a just and sustainable healthcare system from the ground up.

Timestamps:

00:00 "Colonialism in Modern Healthcare"

04:58 "Radical Sliding Scale Practice"

09:00 "Essential Services for All"

11:41 "Preventing Second COVID Wave"

16:57 "Impact of Urban Health Inequity"

20:31 "Primary Care Reduces Healthcare Waste"

21:19 "Emergency Room Vortex Issues"

27:04 "Primary Care for All Idea"

29:50 Volunteer-Led Healthcare Voucher Program

33:13 Primary Care Gaps Revealed

37:31 "Social Movement & Governance Insights"

38:16 "Sustainable Democracy Through Participation"

41:19 "Healthcare System & Community Solutions"

Learn More:

RosettaFest 2025 - https://rosettafest.org/

Health Rosetta - http://healthrosetta.org/

Nautilus - https://www.nautilushealth.org/

Kynexions - https://kynexions.com/

Dave Chase - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasedave/

Podcast Website - https://relocalizinghealth.com/

Welcome to Relocalizing Health, the podcast that dives deep into how communities across America are reclaiming their healthcare from corporate control and building systems focused on people over profit. In this episode, we welcome Michael Norman, Chief Strategy Officer at Genesis Healthcare System in Zanesville, Ohio, and President of HealthyPath, a community-owned health plan product making a big impact.

Mike shares his inspiring journey after being told his rural hospital wasn't "relevant" by a major insurance carrier, despite offering high-quality care at lower costs. This pivotal moment sparked the creation of HealthyPath, a product designed to empower local employers with affordable coverage options and give employees access to care without overwhelming deductibles. In just one year, HealthyPath’s 20 participating employers collectively saved $1.2 million, proving that local solutions can truly transform the healthcare landscape.

Along the way, Mike discusses the importance of remaining independent as a community hospital, the economic role local healthcare systems play, and the pitfalls of consolidation that often leave rural communities behind. He also shares how employer feedback has shaped HealthyPath, where quality coverage is now helping businesses attract and retain talent, and employees can finally afford the care they need.

We explore the innovative partnership between local hospitals and modern benefit advisors like Christina King, the collaborative power of rural Ohio's High Value Network, and what it takes to replicate this change in other communities. If you’re seeking hope and practical ideas for reshaping healthcare around local values and community needs, this episode is sure to inspire.

Tune in as we shine a spotlight on those forging a new path, where community wellbeing comes first, and the American dream of accessible, affordable healthcare starts at home.

Timestamps:

00:00 Rural Healthcare Challenges and Costs

04:59 Rural Hospital Relevance Challenge

10:17 Local Oversight Strengthens Communities

11:33 HealthyPath: Affordable Healthcare Solution

14:47 "Christina's Impact on HealthyPath"

18:16 $1.2M Employer Premium Savings

22:37 "From Skeptic to Advocate"

26:55 "Cost Management Through Local TPA"

30:42 Scaling Value-Based Healthcare Solutions

32:10 "Hospital Execs as Celebrities"

35:14 Transforming Healthcare and Employer Retention

38:32 "Rosetta Fest: Transforming Healthcare"

Christina King - https://healthrosetta.org/advisors/christina-king/

Learn More:

RosettaFest 2025 - https://rosettafest.org/

Health Rosetta - http://healthrosetta.org/

Nautilus - https://www.nautilushealth.org/

Kynexions - https://kynexions.com/

Dave Chase - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasedave/

Podcast Website - https://relocalizinghealth.com/