Memorial Day is a time to remember the military service members lost in the line of duty, but also to recognize the lives of those who returned home forever changed. Veterans’ experiences are unique, and they require special care, especially when their bodies become vulnerable to an illness like cancer. Dr. Patrick Tripp, a radiation oncologist who spent his career treating veterans with cancer, noticed that many of his patients approached their diagnosis with strength, noting that the disease was “not the most challenging thing they’d ever been through.” Tripp’s experiences inspired him to write a book detailing the lives of forgotten service members, while also explaining the complex “gray zones” doctors navigate when making treatment decisions for veterans. We discuss the special challenges veterans face in light of a life-threatening diagnosis and how the best form of care a doctor can provide is to listen.
Guest: Dr. Patrick Tripp, radiation oncologist at Philadelphia VA Medical Center and author of In the Basement at the VA: Stories from a Cancer Doctor
Healthy savings
The healthcare system can be a complicated environment to navigate where, oftentimes, individuals don’t take advantage of services that are readily available to them. The same could be said about Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs, which were designed to make patients smarter healthcare consumers, but are frequently misunderstood. David Silverstein, a former Navy submarine officer turned healthcare CEO, believes that most Americans are leaving money on the table when it comes to HSAs. He notes that while the concept of an HSA was well intentioned, they don’t “fix the rest of the system,” which can oftentimes confuse those seeking help. We discuss how to properly utilize a HSA and explain why some are increasingly viewed as long-term investment tools.
Guest: David Silverstein, founder and CEO, Amaze Health and former U.S. Navy nuclear submarine officer