Welcome back to Disruptive Dialogue with Chuck Melendi, the show that pulls back the curtain on America’s broken healthcare system and calls the community to action. Your host, Chuck Melendi, spent 35 years in the industry — including 25 with Johnson & Johnson — and he’s seen enough to know: Americans are being ripped off.
In This Episode:
Chuck is joined by Dr. Madelaine (Mattie) Feldman, a renowned rheumatologist and fierce advocate for patient access. With decades of experience treating chronic illness and fighting the gatekeepers of drug pricing, Dr. Feldman delivers a revealing perspective, from a practicing physician, of how pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have distorted our healthcare system for profit.
From misleading rebate schemes to patients being denied needed medications, this episode shines a light on the murky business of pharmaceutical pricing —and the urgent need for reform. Dr. Feldman also shares her experiences testifying before Congress and fighting on behalf of both doctors and patients.
What You'll Hear:
• What pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are — and how they secretly control drug prices
• Why patients get denied the medications prescribed by their doctors
• The “formulary exclusion” loophole hurting patients with chronic illness
• How rebate games enrich PBMs while leaving patients in pain
• Why most people — including doctors — don’t understand how bad the system really is
• Dr. Feldman’s advocacy work at the state and federal levels
• Eye-opening stories from the front lines of rheumatology and patient care
• What we need to change — and how you can help
About our guest:
Dr. Madelaine Feldman
• Managing Partner, The Rheumatology Group (New Orleans)
• Former President, Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations (CSRO)
• National expert on PBMs, drug pricing, and healthcare policy reform
• Congressional and FTC Testifier | Patient Advocate
📚 Publications & Resources: Alliance for Transparent & Affordable Prescriptions (ATAP)
Memorable Quotes:
"PBMs are middlemen with no medical training who decide what drugs you can have — and make billions doing it." – Dr. Madelaine Feldman
"The rebate system is a legalized kickback. It’s hurting patientsand enriching gatekeepers." – Dr. Madelaine Feldman
"We need to understand who’s profiting — and who’s paying the price." – Chuck Melendi
💥 This is not your average healthcare talk. It’s Disruptive Dialogue— passionate, fact-driven, and unapologetically honest. Tune in every Monday for a new conversation.
🎙 Get informed. Get involved. Let’s fix this — together.
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