262: The price of policy: How tariffs are reshaping purchasing

Radio Advisory

For health system leaders, managing the cost of purchased goods is no longer just a budgeting exercise—it’s a strategic necessity. As margins tighten and supply chain disruptions persist, health systems are rethinking everything from vendor relationships to value analysis. In this episode of Radio Advisory, host Rachel (Rae) Woods welcomes Advisory Board expert Nick Hula to unpack the findings of the 2025 Health System Purchasing Survey. Together, they explore how economic and policy pressures are reshaping purchasing strategies across the industry.

Nick shares how leaders are balancing short-term cost-saving tactics with long-term resilience, and why holistic evaluation—factoring in real-world outcomes, clinician experience, and supply chain security—is becoming the new standard.

Plus, stay tuned until the end of the episode for a policy update on CMS’s proposed payment rules for CY 2026—a timely reminder that regular rulemaking not only persists but can also rapidly advance an administration’s stated goals.

We’re here to help:

• Survey results: Insights on health system purchasing today
• 20 ways health systems can control costs
• Resources to build a modern and resilient supply chain
• How supply chain leaders should (and shouldn't) respond to tariffs
• How purchasers are tackling the affordability crisis of high-cost drugs
• Ep. 259: Our expensive new normal: why traditional drug cost controls are obsolete

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In times of uncertainty, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by what’s out of your control. That’s why over the next few weeks we’re revisiting three powerful conversations that remind us where to focus: on operational excellence, on what is within your control, and on the urgency to act now. Don’t miss Radio Advisory’s operational excellence series, beginning August 19th.

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A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.