Healthcare Outlook for 2026: Policy, Consolidation, and Cautious Optimism

In this episode, Alan Condon, Editor in Chief at Becker’s Healthcare, breaks down key healthcare financial stories including a closely watched Indiana hospital merger, evolving antitrust dynamics, and accelerating consolidation. He also discusses strong performance from major for profit systems like HCA and Tenet Health as outpatient growth and portfolio transformation reshape the sector.

In this episode, Laura Dyrda, Vice President and Editor in Chief of Becker’s Healthcare, shares insights on the 2026 outlook for healthcare providers, including policy shifts, Medicaid changes, consolidation trends, and financial pressures. She discusses why leaders are balancing near term challenges with cautious optimism as they plan for stability, access, and long term transformation.

In this episode,  Byron Glasgow, MBA, Vice President of Finance at Temple University Health System, discusses rising healthcare costs, value based care challenges, and the role of AI in easing administrative burdens. He also shares how Temple Health is pursuing mission aligned growth while serving as a vital safety net for Philadelphia.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker’s 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable features Saad Ehtisham, President & CEO, Atlantic Health. He shares his vision for sustainable growth, clinical excellence, and responsible AI adoption, emphasizing how technology and partnerships can drive efficiency, enhance care delivery, and improve patient outcomes across the system.In collaboration with R1.

In this episode, Alex Lebrun breaks down the shift from soft ROI to precise, measurable financial impact as health systems scale AI beyond pilots. He explains why coding and revenue cycle use cases are leading the way, how end to end AI workflows will change measurement, and why the industry is still in the very early stages of its AI journey.This episode is sponsored by Nabla.

In this episode, Dr. Hesham A. Hassaballa, Medical Director of Critical Care and Respiratory Therapy at Rush-Copley Medical Center, discusses how AI is transforming clinical care, the irreplaceable human elements of medicine, and the leadership values that guide his work. He also shares insights on physician excellence, system-level improvement, and what inspires him as he looks ahead to 2026.

This episode recorded live at the 10th Annual Health IT + Digital Health + RCM Annual Meeting features Kunjan Divatia, Vice President of Digital Technology Solutions at Yale New Haven Health. He discusses how AI, virtual care, and emerging digital tools are reshaping provider workflows, improving patient access, and guiding health systems as they navigate new legislation, workforce pressure, and evolving operational demands.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker’s 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable features Nick Barcellona, Chief Financial Officer, WVU Medicine. He discusses the system’s rapid expansion, its commitment to population health through integrated payer-provider models, and how AI is improving efficiency, reducing burnout, and enhancing the patient and provider experience.In collaboration with R1.

This episode explores the critical role of post-fracture care (PFC) in improving patient care and optimizing healthcare systems. Two program coordinators highlight real-world examples of how PFC can reduce the risk of subsequent fractures and lower healthcare costs. They also share actionable strategies for how to integrate PFC best practices into existing healthcare frameworks including aligning objectives with the organization’s broader strategic goals and establishing and tracking against clear metrics.This episode is sponsored by Amgen.

In this episode, Jamila M. Porter, DrPH, MPH, Chief of Staff and Principal Investigator of MADE for Health Justice at the de Beaumont Foundation, and Aysha Dominguez Pamukcu, JD, Policy Fund Director at the San Francisco Foundation, discuss their new book “Strategic Skills for Public Health Practice: Advancing Equity & Justice”. They share how the field can reclaim its social justice roots, push back against rising attacks on equity, and build a more inclusive and community driven future for public health.