Relocalizing Health with Dave Chase

Welcome to Relocalizing Health. In this episode, Dave Chase sits down with Brian Adesso, Director of Business Services for the Menasha Joint School District and President of the Employer Healthcare Cooperative of Wisconsin (EHCW), to explore how a group of Wisconsin employers, including school districts and private companies, joined forces to fight skyrocketing healthcare costs. Together, they created a cooperative model that now covers over 23,000 people and has cut out-of-pocket expenses for employees by nearly half, all in one of the highest-priced hospital markets in the nation.
Dave Chase and Brian Adesso discuss why traditional health plans were devastating school budgets, how pooling resources and ownership led to direct provider negotiations, and the powerful impact of local control. They share lessons learned from building trust, overcoming skepticism, and expanding the cooperative’s reach, along with stories about improved benefits that are making a difference for teachers, staff, and other public employees. Whether you’re a district administrator, a city manager, or a private sector employer feeling the squeeze of rising premiums, this episode breaks down practical steps and inspiration for taking ownership of healthcare in your community.

Timestamps:
00:00 Healthcare cost challenges and solutions
06:13 Concerns about AI in healthcare
06:57 Coding intensity in healthcare
10:15 Change in provider-employer relationships
15:40 Challenges of switching insurance plans
16:36 Healthcare coverage for pregnancies
20:44 Discussing community-owned health plans
23:33 Community and ownership in cooperatives
28:09 Employer Healthcare Cooperative growth story
29:15 School district healthcare solutions

Learn More:
RosettaFest 2027 - 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 back to Relocalizing Health with Dave Chase. In this episode, Dave explores how communities can reclaim control over their healthcare dollars, drawing inspiration from cooperative models both in American history and abroad. Only about 15.5 cents of every healthcare dollar actually reach clinicians, with much of the money leaving local communities. He shares stories of towns and employers across the U.S. building local, community-owned health plans, without waiting for Congress or federal policy. Learn how the cooperative spirit that powered rural electrification, credit unions, and European health systems can offer a blueprint for sustainable, grassroots healthcare transformation right in your county. If you’re a civic leader, employer, medical professional, or simply a concerned neighbor, this episode will show you practical steps your community can take to build a healthier, more resilient future, starting today.

Timestamps:
00:00 Building the future of healthcare
05:34 European health system origins
09:25 Community health ownership models
11:09 Developing a Community Health Plan
16:06 Local healthcare cooperation and collaboration
17:34 Additional resources and book info

Learn More:
RosettaFest 2027 - 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 back to Relocalizing Health. In this episode, host Dave Chase sits down with Charles Marohn, founder of Strong Towns and renowned author, to explore what it truly means for a town to be "strong." Drawing analogies from the built environment and decades of on-the-ground civic work, Chuck shares how robust communities rely not just on fiscal sustainability or infrastructure, but on engaged citizens who are empowered to solve problems collaboratively. Together, they dive into stories of transformation in places like Ashtabula County, Ohio, discuss the cultural and mindset shifts necessary for local change, and outline practical frameworks for making meaningful progress, one small step at a time. Whether you’re a civic leader, public sector employee, or just someone who cares deeply about your community's well-being, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to roll up your sleeves to co-create healthier, more resilient places.

Timestamps:
00:00 Defining sustainable city development
04:41 Struggling Ohio school district finances
08:46 Using relatable examples for change
10:33 Engaging the local community
15:21 Rethinking public investment strategies
17:29 Businesslike approach to running cities
22:48 Implementing community development projects
26:16 Southcentral Foundation's healthcare transformation
29:49 City council meeting dynamics
30:32 Creating an equal meeting environment
36:40 Importance of community dialogue
38:02 Wrapping up healthcare insights

Ashtabula story:
Short version - https://relocalizinghealth.com/episode/case-study-the-poorest-county-in-ohio-kept-450-million-home-and-changed-everything
Full Conversation with Bryce Heinbaugh - https://relocalizinghealth.com/episode/how-community-owned-health-plans-are-transforming-healthcare-and-boosting-local-economies
Full Conversation with Dr. Brad Schneider, Maria Fowler, and Casey Billington - https://relocalizinghealth.com/episode/how-ashtabula-county-reclaimed-healthcare-direct-care-and-community-plans-beat-corporate-systems
Learn More:
RosettaFest 2027 - 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 another episode of Relocalizing Health. Today, we explore how something as simple as rethinking medical imaging can spark a transformation in employer-sponsored healthcare, creating real wins for employees, employers, and communities alike. Host Dave Chase is joined by Dr. Cristin A. Dickerson, a radiologist and founder of Green Imaging, whose innovative approach has brought bundled transparent pricing to imaging services in thousands of communities across America.
Together, they discuss why imaging is often the first and most powerful step for organizations seeking to take control of their healthcare spending, breaking down the barriers that have long frustrated patients, from lengthy authorizations to surprise bills. You’ll hear real-world stories of school districts, cities, and counties that have saved millions, improved employee access to care, and even turned health plan savings into raises for their staff.
Dr. Cristin A. Dickerson shares how building trust, local partnerships, and simple processes can empower even the most change-averse organizations to take meaningful action. If you’ve ever wondered how health plan innovation really happens or what it takes to move from frustration to affordable, accessible care, this episode is for you.

Timestamps:
00:00 Decision-making in public health plans
05:26 Imaging as a crucial first step
06:56 Partnering with Imaging Centers
13:11 Barriers to accessing healthcare
15:49 Getting Brevard County's Approval
17:11 Improving radiology authorization process
22:45 Changing Health Plans Off-Cycle
25:31 Targeting healthcare decision-making
29:39 Hospital billing and negotiation challenges
31:57 Credit unions and hospital practices
36:22 Discussing the Health Reset Dividend
38:47 Affordable healthcare access benefits
41:18 Closing and sign-off

Learn More:
RosettaFest 2027 - 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. In this episode, Dave Chase explores the powerful connection between neighborhood cohesion and health with guest Seth Kaplan, author of Fragile Neighborhoods. Over recent decades, American communities have suffered from declining local relationships, and with no meaningful incentive to make neighborhoods better, both public and private institutions have unintentionally worked in silos, often leaving health outcomes and the social fabric itself worse off.
But there's a movement underway. Across the globe, from Singapore to the Netherlands, new models of healthcare have emerged, focused on empowering residents and rebuilding care around neighborhoods rather than institutions. Drawing on case studies and lessons from around the world, Seth Kaplan and Dave Chase discuss how shifting our mindset, restructuring incentives, and revitalizing neighborhood governance could radically improve health, reduce costs, and revive a sense of belonging.
Join us as we explore what happens when the neighborhood, not just the individual, becomes the patient, and how each of us can spark change, starting right where we live.

Timestamps:
00:00 Community-driven healthcare models
04:46 Exploring American social cohesion
07:55 Flaws in the American healthcare system
12:50 Yishun Health community engagement strategy
16:55 Creating community healthcare nodes
20:08 Fostering Health in Communities
22:55 Community and Charity Involvement
26:39 Growing small health plans into communities
31:50 Sovereignty and healthcare systems
33:07 Rural electrification and community action
36:31 Neighborhood-centered governance ideas
40:10 Neighborhood improvement incentives
45:01 Public sector's role in healthcare
47:02 Importance of social relationships
53:01 Rethinking and nurturing new ideas
54:39 Community-led healthcare initiatives

Learn More:
RosettaFest 2027 - 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/