Jared Rhoads on the Intersection of Healthcare and Free Market Principles — Health Policy Podcast

Published January 28, 2026 · Featuring Jared Rhoads of Center for Modern Health

Jared Rhoads, Director at Center for Modern Health, discusses healthcare's intersection with free market principles on the Health Policy Podcast.

Jared Rhoads, Director at the Center for Modern Health, discusses the intersection of healthcare regulation, government intervention, free market principles, and health savings accounts in the latest episode of the Health Policy Podcast. The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities in reforming healthcare through market-based solutions.

WASHINGTON — May 25, 2026 — Jared Rhoads, Director at the Center for Modern Health, joined the Health Policy Podcast to discuss the complexities of healthcare regulation and the role of government intervention in shaping market principles. Rhoads emphasized the importance of health savings accounts as a tool for consumers but cautioned that they alone may not lead to significant healthcare reform.

Rhoads articulated that the current healthcare landscape is hindered by outdated assumptions about the market's ability to function effectively. He stated, "There's been a few premises and ideas out there that have kind of thwarted real free market kind of efforts and reforms along the way." He argued that many healthcare providers are not incentivized to adopt market-oriented practices, which limits competition and price transparency.

The discussion also touched on the broader implications of insurance coverage in healthcare. Rhoads noted, "Not everything ought to be paid for by insurance," highlighting the inefficiencies that arise when insurance is used for predictable healthcare expenses. He explained that the cost of everything tends to go up when you make it covered by insurance, as the administrative burden increases.

The Center for Modern Health is a think tank focused on advancing innovative health policy solutions. It aims to foster a deeper understanding of healthcare challenges and promote market-oriented reforms.

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The Health Policy Podcast explores the intersection of energy, infrastructure, policy, and economic growth, providing insights into the complexities of health policy and its impact on society.

About Center for Modern Health

The Center for Modern Health is an organization focused on healthcare innovation, patient-centered care, medical policy, and modern approaches to healthcare delivery and wellness initiatives.

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About the Guest

Jared Rhoads — Director

Jared Rhoads, MPH, MS. Jared Rhoads is the Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Modern Health. His writings on health policy have appeared in a wide range of publications. He received his MPH degree from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, and an MS degree from Bentley University. He also teaches health policy in the graduate public health program at Dartmouth, and advises graduate students on their independent research projects. Jared has published research with a variety of think tanks, including the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, the Center for Ethics in Society at St. Anselm University, and the Foundation for Government Accountability. Prior to teaching, he worked in healthcare consulting in a role that handled policy and emerging practices. Email: jared.rhoads@centerformodernhealth.org.

About the Health Policy Podcast

The Health Policy Podcast hosts conversations on energy, infrastructure, policy and economic growth — interviewing the operators, regulators, and innovators powering America's grid, gas, nuclear, and industrial future. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.