Part 1 | AI, Hospice Fraud Crackdown & Medicare’s Future—The Biggest Healthcare Stories of 2026

AI is changing healthcare faster than ever. Medicare is under increasing pressure. Hospice fraud is driving unprecedented regulatory action. The question isn’t whether healthcare is changing—it’s whether leaders are prepared for what’s next. In Part One of this quarterly TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership special, host Chris Comeaux welcomes healthcare strategist Cordt Kassner to break down the biggest healthcare stories shaping 2026. Together, they examine the trends every healthcare executive, hospice leader, nonprofit executive, and business leader should be watching. Using Dr. Ira Byock’s strategic framework as their guide, Chris and Cordt explore the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, the growing crackdown on hospice fraud and abuse, Medicare’s financial future, healthcare affordability, quality measurement, workforce transformation, and the continued consolidation of the hospice industry. They also discuss how AI is likely to augment—not replace—healthcare professionals, why quality and transparency are becoming central competitive advantages, and what nonprofit organizations must do to thrive in an increasingly complex healthcare environment. If you’re responsible for leading a healthcare organization, hospice, palliative care program, nonprofit, or mission-driven business, this episode offers practical leadership insights and strategic perspective to help you prepare for what’s ahead. In this episode you’ll learn: • Why AI will fundamentally change healthcare leadership • How hospice fraud is reshaping federal oversight • What Medicare’s future could mean for providers • Why quality and transparency are becoming competitive advantages • How healthcare leaders can prepare for unprecedented industry change • What nonprofit healthcare organizations must do to remain relevant Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:22 Welcome & Quarterly Healthcare News Format 03:29 Looking Back at Q2 2026 06:05 The Biggest Trends Emerging Across Healthcare 07:11 Reinvigorating Hospice Quality & Staffing Challenges 12:09 AI’s Impact on Healthcare Jobs and Leadership 17:54 Why Leaders Must Embrace Continuous Learning 19:35 Healthcare Affordability, Medicare & Perverse Incentives 25:27 Hospice Industry Growth & Market Trends 28:52 Industry Consolidation & Nonprofit Hospice Challenges 34:02 Preview of Part Two Subscribe for weekly conversations with today’s top healthcare, nonprofit, and business leaders as we explore leadership, innovation, strategy, and the future of healthcare.