Relocalizing Health with Dave Chase

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/

Welcome to Relocalizing Health, where we explore how communities are reclaiming control over healthcare and rebuilding systems that truly serve people. In this episode, host Dave Chase welcomes Patrick Blackaller, the driving force behind the Employer Healthcare Cooperative of Wisconsin. Together, they dive into the journey of transforming healthcare for schools and employers in Wisconsin, shifting from an extractive industry toward a model that prioritizes care, cost transparency, and community partnerships.
You'll hear honest reflections on the tough choices and personal stories that sparked this movement, including the profound impact of rising costs and restrictive insurance plans on real people. Patrick Blackaller shares how direct contracts, innovative clinics, and new pharmacy approaches are not only saving millions but also bringing dignity and access back into healthcare. This episode is packed with lessons on pioneering change, even in the face of skepticism, and offers a blueprint for other communities ready to take bold steps toward a better future.
Timestamps:
00:00 "Rural School Struggles with Healthcare"
05:04 "Creating Care Through Self-Funding"
09:14 Overcoming Skepticism to Find Support
12:50 Affordable Medication Access Strategies
14:23 "Optimizing Health Plans Affordably"
17:10 Streamlining Healthcare Navigation and Education
20:30 Healthcare Spending and Employer Insights
23:51 "Optimizing Quality and Cost Balance"
27:21 Perseverance Through Challenges
31:23 Purpose-Driven Leadership Strategies
35:21 "Relocalizing Health: American Comeback"
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 is joined by April Kyle, president and CEO of Southcentral Foundation in Alaska, for a deep dive into one of America’s most remarkable healthcare transformations. Together, they explore how the Alaska Native community took control of their own healthcare system, moving from an underfunded, top-down model to a community-owned system that now boasts some of the best health outcomes and highest satisfaction rates in the world.
April Kyle shares the practical blueprint behind this success: from the generational trauma and distrust that had to be overcome, to the pivotal role of true community engagement and ongoing governance that keeps the transformation alive. The conversation highlights the importance of listening, evolving systems to meet community needs, and the challenges of sustaining change across decades. Listeners will hear inspiring, concrete stories of how community voices are not only heard, but drive real decisions, from scheduling mammograms around moose hunting season to making tough calls about housing for providers.
Whether you’re a community leader, healthcare provider, or simply passionate about building better systems, this episode offers actionable insights and hope for communities everywhere looking to take back control and create a system built for and by them.

Timestamps:

00:00 "Relocalizing Health: Community-Driven Care"
04:18 April Kyle's Introduction & Journey
09:31 "Community-Centered Evolving Healthcare Model"
12:42 "Relocalizing Health, Not Healthcare"
15:20 Listening to Families, Closing Gaps
19:35 "Listening, Dialogue, and Community Partnership"
22:24 "Community-Driven Leadership Challenges"
27:15 Listening to Community First
28:12 "Community-Driven Listening and Customization"
32:49 Community Decision on Housing Safety
36:31 "Clinical Outcomes Data Sharing"
37:26 Community Resource Allocation Dialogue
40:42 "Power of Convening Communities"
46:25 "Embracing Community-Led Healthcare Change"
48:13 Integrating Behavioral Care Insights
50:48 "Rosetta Fest: Health Care Transformation"

Podcasts: IHI https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/when-people-of-the-system-own-the-system-with/id1681829836?i=1000678625961
Moving to Value Part 1 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/part-1-the-nuka-blueprint-w-april-kyle-and-dr-doug-eby/id1716935535
Part 2 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/part-2-the-nuka-blueprint-w-april-kyle-and-dr-doug-eby/id1716935535

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/