The Alliance for Health Policy Announces 2025 Signature Series Theme: Addressing the Complex Health and Policy Needs of an Aging America

Washington, D.C. –  The Alliance for Health Policy is proud to announce the theme for its 2025 Signature Series: “Aging in America.” As the population of Americans aged 65 and older is projected to increase by 47% by 2050, this series will delve into the profound implications of this demographic shift and explore key questions to prepare the nation for the future of aging in health care.

Dianne Faup, board member of the Alliance for Health Policy, remarked, “As life spans increase and our population ages, we are confronted with one of the most significant challenges in modern health policy.  These older populations often have complex health related social needs which can be addressed through effective use of our federal and state programs. The opportunity is now for health policymakers to reexamine the approach to the federal budget, long-term care policy, and programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security to better serve older Americans and sustain for future generations. With so much in the balance, Aging in America is a perfect topic for the Alliance for Health Policy’s 2025 Signature Series to address.”

98% of seniors currently are covered by Medicare, and 12 million benefit from Medicaid. With nearly three-quarters of older adults requiring caregiver assistance and over 20% remaining in the workforce, the demands on the nation’s health care system, workforce, and social services are rapidly evolving.

The 2025 Signature Series will feature a range of discussions on essential issues, including the approaches needed to equip our system to support an aging population, strategies for optimizing care for seniors, and the role of health policy in addressing these needs. Experts will also explore critical policy questions, such as “What would a health system that is equipped well for an Aging America  look like?” and “What do congressional staff need to understand about aging in America?”

The Signature Series embodies the two-part approach of the Alliance programming: Incubate, which consists of insight development, strategy workshops and reports, and Educate, where the Alliance develops educational curriculum through a series of events, including a thought leader workshop, a public summit, and a congressional briefing, the Alliance for Health Policy will convene leading health experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to examine the intersection of aging and health policy. 

The Alliance is currently seeking sponsors for the 2025 Signature Series. With average attendee ratings of 94%, this program is a unique opportunity to not only support, but join the robust policy conversation.  Visit the Alliance website to discover how your organization can get involved. 

About the Alliance for Health Policy

The Alliance for Health Policy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the understanding of health policy issues. Through educational events and resources, the Alliance informs policymakers, the media, and the public about health policy issues and promotes evidence-based solutions.

For press inquiries, please contact:

Madeline Pennington
Marketing and Communications Manager
The Alliance for Health Policy

mpennington@allhealthpolicy.org

For sponsorship inquiries please contact:

Kelly Appenzeller

Director of Production and Development

kappenzeller@allhealthpolicy.org

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Washington, D.C. – The Alliance for Health Policy is proud to announce the launch of its upcoming congressional fellowship, a key component of the newly established “Bipartisan Learning Communities” program. This initiative is designed to foster collaboration across party lines, inspire innovative solutions, and build a robust leadership pipeline for the future of health policy.

The congressional fellowship will offer an immersive experience for participants to engage deeply with critical health coverage issues, guided by the principles of bipartisanship and evidence-based policy. The fellowship is the culmination of insights gathered from three dedicated working group meetings, where experts in the field collaborated to identify the best ways to provide educational and professional development resources to congressional staff. The working group also produced insights for a Working Group Meeting Report available now on the Alliance website.

The Alliance will employ these principles in designing a curriculum for the coming year for their Bipartisan Learning Communities, and ensure that the features identified, selectivity, personal connection, and best practices in adult learning are included in their programming. The Alliance is releasing this report to share the findings with organizations with similar missions that can benefit from the collective wisdom of the working group to define and develop curricula that provide educational and professional development value. 

“At the Alliance, we believe that real change in health policy can only happen when we break down the silos that have long dominated the conversation,” said Claire Sheahan, M.S.c., President and CEO of the Alliance. “Our Bipartisan Learning Communities program, and specifically this fellowship, is about creating a space where diverse voices can come together, share ideas, and work towards meaningful, sustainable solutions in health care.”

To celebrate the launch of the “Bipartisan Learning Communities” program, the Alliance will host a fall social event, providing a platform for those interested in the fellowship to learn more about the initiative, network with peers, and engage directly with thought leaders in health policy. 

For more information about the congressional fellowship and the fall social event, please visit www.allhealthpolicy.org. More information will be released soon.

About The Alliance for Health Policy

The Alliance for Health Policy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping policymakers and the public better understand health policy, the root of the nation’s health care issues, and the trade-offs posed by various proposals for change. We believe a better health care system begins with a balanced exchange of evidence, experience, and multiple perspectives. Regardless of their point of view, our audience recognizes the Alliance’s reputation as a well-respected source for unbiased health policy information.

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Washington, D.C. — The Alliance for Health Policy is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to our Board of Directors– Lisa Chimento, MBA,  President at Parkway Strategy and Stephanie Quinn, Senior Vice President of External Affairs and Practice Experience at American Academy of Family Physicians. 

Lisa Chimento, MBA, brings more than 30 years of experience across the US health care system to the Alliance. In her previous position as senior strategic advisor to Circle Home Telehealth Services, the company acquired Precise Telehealth, Inc., a digital health start-up where she served the Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board of Directors. She is also an active community member and serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of Neighborhood Health, Northern Virginia’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center, and the Vice Chair of the Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission.

Stephanie Quinn, Senior Vice President, External Affairs and Practice Experience at American Academy of Family Physicians brings years of experience in Government Affairs and Relations to the Alliance Board of Directors. She currently  oversees the AAFP Divisions of Government Relations, Practice Advancement, and Strategic Engagements. Prior to joining the AAFP,  Stephanie Quinn was Vice President of Federal Government Affairs at CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield where she led the company’s federal legislative agenda on issues such as market stability, drug pricing policy, and social determinants of health.

“On behalf of the Alliance Board of Directors, I am excited to welcome Lisa and Stephanie,” said Alliance Board Chair Tanisha Carino. “Their extensive experience and reputation as leaders in  health policy will greatly benefit the Alliance as we advance our mission of fostering bipartisan education and convening with  our health policy community.”

Read more about Ms. Chimento and Mr. Quinn here:

Lisa Chimento, MBA

Lisa Chimento is an experienced health care executive who brings more than 30 years of experience across the U.S. health care system. Ms. Chimento most recently served as senior strategic advisor to Circle Home Telehealth Services, a private equity-backed chronic care management company that acquired Precise Telehealth, Inc., a digital health start-up where she served the Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board of Directors. She recently served on the Council of Strategic Advisors of Wavemaker Three-Sixty Health, a venture capital fund focused on early-stage health care companies.

Ms. Chimento is the former Chief Executive Officer of The Lewin Group, Optum’s government consulting and analytics business, where she led nearly 400 professionals in bringing innovative solutions to the most pressing health and health care issues facing government agencies today. She also played multiple roles in Optum/UHG, serving as Chief Product Officer of Optum Government (now known as OptumServe) and as the lead executive for Optum’s state health exchange remediation work in Maryland and Massachusetts.

Ms. Chimento is an active member of her community and serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of Neighborhood Health, Northern Virginia’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center, and the Vice Chair of the Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission. Ms. Chimento was formerly the Chair of the Board of the Northern Virginia Health Foundation and the Chair of the Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee.

She earned her MBA at Yale University and her BA in Economics at the University of Virginia.

Stephanie Quinn

Stephanie Quinn is senior vice president of external affairs and practice experience at the American Academy of Family Physicians where she oversees the AAFP Divisions of Government Relations, Practice Advancement, and Strategic Engagements. Prior to joining the AAFP, Stephanie Quinn was Vice President of Federal Government Affairs at CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield where she led the company’s federal legislative agenda on issues such as market stability, drug pricing policy, and social determinants of health. Before CareFirst, Stephanie was Assistant Director of Congressional Relations for the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and served as Deputy Director of Federal Government Affairs for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. Stephanie holds a combined degree in linguistics and Spanish from the Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

About the Alliance for Health Policy

The Alliance for Health Policy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping policymakers and the public better understand health policy, the root of the nation’s health care issues, and the trade-offs posed by various proposals for change. We educate congressional and executive agency staff on health policy issues, engage the health care community and stakeholders in solutions-focused dialogues, and convene public webinars on a range of health policy topics and emerging health issues.  Regardless of their point of view, our audience recognizes the Alliance’s reputation as a well-respected source for unbiased health policy information.  For more information, please visit www.allhealthpolicy.org.

For media inquiries related to the Alliance, please contact Madeline Pennington, mpennington@allhealthpolicy.org.

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For media inquiries related to the Alliance, please contact Madeline Pennington, mpennington@allhealthpolicy.org.

For more information on sponsorship or partnership opportunities, please email Kelly Appenzeller, kappenzeller@allhealthpolicy.org.

Washington, D.C. — The Alliance for Health Policy hosts its inaugural Thought Leadership Workshop today, April 25, launching the yearlong 2024 Signature Series program focused on AI in Health. The workshop includes participants from Congress, the Administration, industry sponsors, community/patient voices, and experts and academics in the field. 

The Signature Series, an annual hallmark program of the Alliance, aims to create an opportunity for stakeholders across the health care spectrum to work together on some of the most pressing challenges in health policy. By focusing on the future, identifying and answering strategic questions, articulating frameworks and providing guidance on key questions, a diverse group of stakeholders come together and identify shared objectives and priorities.  Today’s workshop tackles two key questions: “What does a good AI advisory board include?” and “How should a congressional curriculum on the topic of AI and health policy be structured?” 

“Today’s workshop embodies our commitment to listening. We know that our community has some of the smartest, most thoughtful, and wise policy experts in the country. By pairing them with technical experts, industry leaders, policymakers and community voices, these conversations are always rich and productive,” remarked Claire Sheahan, President and CEO of the Alliance for Health Policy. “In particular, with today’s workshop findings, we are arming our participants and the community with answers to some serious and practical questions that we know will have relevance in the coming months.”

Cecilia Oregón, representing Kaiser Permanente as a Visionary Sponsor, expressed pride in supporting the Alliance’s endeavors. “Kaiser Permanente is proud to be a part of the Signature Series. It is imperative to engage in thoughtful discussions on AI policy, ensuring its responsible integration for the betterment of patient care.”

The next events for the Signature Series include: a community reception on July 24, the Signature Series Summit on July 25, a Signature Spotlight Webinar, and a Congressional Briefing with final dates to be announced. Reports from the Signature Series sessions will be available in Fall of 2024. 

To learn more about the events and theme of the 2024 Signature Series, as well as past years’ programs, please explore our website.

About the Alliance for Health Policy

The Alliance for Health Policy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping policymakers and the public better understand health policy, the root of the nation’s health care issues, and the trade-offs posed by various proposals for change. We believe a better health care system begins with a balanced exchange of evidence, experience, and multiple perspectives. Regardless of their point of view, our audience recognizes the Alliance’s reputation as a well-respected source for unbiased health policy information.

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Washington, D.C. — The Alliance for Health Policy is pleased to announce the theme of its eighth annual Signature Series, beginning in April 2024, that will address the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in both health care and health policy.

The Signature Series is the Alliance’s annual hallmark programming that seeks to address the most challenging issues in health policy by convening cross-sector dialogues with experts in both policy and practice. Together, we critically examine these issues to identify what’s at stake, as well as key areas of challenge and opportunity.

The 2024 iteration of this annual Series will feature a Spotlight Webinar for the first time in the Series’ history. This webinar will allow the Alliance to dive deeper into AI and reach a wider audience. 

“The ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) will have an undeniable impact on health care and health policy, and we are excited to explore this topic with our Alliance community through our 2024 Series. This year we have added a new Spotlight Webinar to create additional spaces for learning and connection on AI,” said Alison Jones, Director of Program Management and Strategy.

In an era where data-driven decisions are paramount, AI offers exceptional opportunities for efficiency, personalization, and innovation on a mass scale. Yet, it also raises critical questions about ethics, privacy, and equitable access. The 2024 Series will bring together numerous experts in the field to dissect these complexities.

“Each year, we build on the success of the previous Signature Series, in terms of adding value, continuity, and improving the content and experience for participants,” said Claire Sheahan, President and CEO. “This program is unique in the health policy community for both the quality and variety of voices it brings together, along with being centered on a listening approach. Incorporating a problem-solving workshop allows our participants to share their expertise and guide the programming, resulting in a tailored, of-the-moment experience that deepens relationships as well as knowledge.” 

Previous years’ themes have included health and the economy, health equity, disruptors and transformers, voice of the patient, solving for health, health care costs, aging, the future of health care, mental health, and envisioning a person-first health system.

To learn more about the events and theme of the 2024 Signature Series, as well as past years’ programs, please visit our website.

For media inquiries related to the Alliance, please contact Madeline Pennington, mpennington@allhealthpolicy.org.

For more information on sponsorship or partnership opportunities, please email Kelly Appenzeller, kappenzeller@allhealthpolicy.org.

About the Alliance for Health Policy

The Alliance for Health Policy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping policymakers and the public better understand health policy, the root of the nation’s health care issues, and the trade-offs posed by various proposals for change. We believe a better health care system begins with a balanced exchange of evidence, experience, and multiple perspectives. Regardless of their point of view, our audience recognizes the Alliance’s reputation as a well-respected source for unbiased health policy information.

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January 29, 2024, Washington D.C. – The Alliance for Health Policy Board of Directors announced today that after a national search led by Korn Ferry, they have selected Claire Sheahan as the new President and CEO of the organization.

“The Alliance was  founded 30 years ago to provide needed information to policymakers as they tackle tough health policy questions, and that mission remains critical today. With Claire as the next leader for the organization, the board is confident that the Alliance mission is in capable hands,” said Tanisha Carino, Ph.D., Alliance for Health Policy Board Chair.  

“The Alliance Board recognized that Claire’s passion, energy, and finger on the pulse of health care and health policy are the right mix to take the organization forward.  We trust that together, we will accomplish great things,” said Elizabeth Hall, Vice Chair of the Alliance. 

Known as an empathetic and practical leader, Claire has spent more than 20 years working in health care policy as a strategy consultant, communications expert, and program leader effectively engaging others to catalyze change. She spent more than fifteen years as a leader at consulting and communications agencies, including GMMB, Fleishman Hillard and Avalere. She also served in public affairs roles at the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, Generic Pharmaceutical Association (now the Association for Accessible Medicines/AAM) and Alexion Pharmaceuticals. Since October 2023, she has served as the interim COO at the Alliance, and her term as CEO begins the first of February. 

“I am excited to work with all those who know and value the Alliance’s contributions, and to engage new voices and partners in the coming years,” said Sheahan. “The Alliance mission has never been more relevant, and I look forward to working across the health policy community to grow the organization’s impact.”

Sheahan succeeds Sarah Dash, MPH who spent 10 years at the organization. According to Dash, “I couldn’t be more thrilled to pass the torch to Claire as the next leader of the Alliance. In our work together, I’ve witnessed Claire’s deep commitment to our core values and her clear vision for the Alliance to advance the field of health policy. I am deeply confident that she is the right person to take the organization forward.”

Read more about Claire Sheahan here:

Claire Sheahan is a dynamic executive with more than 20 years of experience effectively engaging others to catalyze change in health care and health policy. 

Claire has served in leadership roles in associations, corporations,  consulting and communications firms, including GMMB, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Fleishman Hillard, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association (now AAM), Avalere, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, and others. In these roles, she has managed effective educational and engagement campaigns, introduced new capabilities, products and services, established novel cross-functional teams, and successfully achieved gains in reputational status, growth and audience impact. 

In her career, she has worked for organizations across the spectrum in health care ranging from scientific discovery to public health to patient advocacy.  These include non-profits like the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and National Health Council; medical leaders like the American Academy of Family Physicians, the International Society for Stem Cell Research and Mayo Clinic; and companies like Biogen, Cigna, and Siemens Health. 

Claire is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, where she served a semester as a research assistant to a member of UK parliament, and a co-founder of the campus sketch comedy troupe. She also holds an MSc. with Distinction from the London School of Economics in Media and Communications, where her dissertation focused on the construct of public opinion within the halls of the U.S. Congress. Claire also served as an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University, teaching students in the Communications MA program. She is the mother of two children, a cancer survivor, and serves as a Director on the Fairfax Library Foundation Board.

For media inquiries related to the Alliance, please contact Madeline Pennington, mpennington@allhealthpolicy.org.

About the Alliance for Health Policy

The Alliance for Health Policy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping policymakers and the public better understand health policy, the root of the nation’s health care issues, and the trade-offs posed by various proposals for change. We educate congressional and executive agency staff on health policy issues, engage the health care community and stakeholders in solutions-focused dialogues, and convene public webinars on a range of health policy topics and emerging health issues.  Regardless of their point of view, our audience recognizes the Alliance’s reputation as a well-respected source for unbiased health policy information. 

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Panelists:

• Sheila- Pradia Williams, MBA, Deputy Associate Administrator at the Bureau of Health Workforce, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
• Patricia Pittman, Ph.D., Fitzhugh Mullan Professor of Health Workforce Equity, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University
• April Joy Damian, Ph.D., MSc, Vice President and Director, Weitzman Institute
• Murielle Beene, DNP, MBA, MPH, MS, RN-BC, Senior Vice President and Chief Health Informatics Officer, Trinity Health
• Farida Ahmed, MHS, Associate Program Officer,  National Academy of Sciences

On workforce maldistribution:

• Patricia Pittman, Ph.D.: “COGME recommends about 40% of our physician workforce should be primary care. When we are graduating folks from the residency, it actually adds up to about 54%, but after the residency, it goes up to below 30%. We lose them through the specialization process. This is largely driven by the issue of income. We have a problem in the way we pay physicians; it’s driving the maldistribution by specialty. It also is driven by geography.”
• April Damian, Ph.D., MSc: “Part of the challenge right now with us falling short of a person-first healthcare system is that leadership, as well as those who are patient-facing, don’t necessarily relate to or represent the lived experiences of the patient populations that they’re serving. It’s particularly true in marginalized and vulnerable populations.”

On lack of workforce retention:

• Patricia Pittman, Ph.D.: “We know that in 2021 we had over a hundred thousand full-time nurses that left nursing and that most of those nurses were under 35. Most of that attrition happened in hospitals and the hospital vacancy rates continue to be really high. We know that 39% of nurses are planning to leave in the next year and 28% plan to reduce hours. Now, plans are not always materialized, but these are what people say in surveys. 60% of critical care nurses in ICUs are planning to leave in the next year. We have a real problem in terms of attrition. The number one reason that people say they’re leaving is inadequate staffing.”

On potential solutions: 

• Farida Ahmed, MHS: “In 2022, the Surgeon General and [the NAM] president usually joked as it being like a one-two punch. [The Office of the Surgeon General] released the Advisory on building a thriving health workforce. We had the National Plan for Health Workforce Wellbeing. The vision of the national plan is that people are cared for by a health workforce that is thriving in an environment that fosters their wellbeing as they improve population health.”
• Patricia Pittman, Ph.D.: “I think the main policy levels here are safe staffing ratios for hospitals. This can happen through Medicare, or it can happen through legislation at the state or at the federal level. We also need to measure staffing and staffing levels. We need to measure turnover, and we need to include it in comparative hospital statistics like HospitalCompare.”
• Murielle Beene, DNP, MBA, MPH, MS, RN-BC: “We thought about the innovative approach that we can take together; we call our approach Together Team or Together Team Virtual Connected Care. It’s a three-person team, a novel care model comprised of a bedside RN, a care partner, and a virtual nurse. The value of working on the care team – people working together on this team balance workload across the team, using their professional judgment to work to their scope of practice.”

Thank you to the 2023 Signature Series sponsors for supporting this year’s programming. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 21, 2023, Washington, D.C. – The Alliance for Health Policy received a $2,000,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to launch a new body of work dedicated to bipartisan learning opportunities focused on health coverage policy in America. This funding will support a new chapter in the Alliance’s 30-plus year history of catalyzing solutions focused, bipartisan dialogue with policymakers.

The environment on Capitol Hill has changed dramatically since the founding of the Alliance more than 30 years ago. These resources will enable the organization to address the request from federal health policy staff to learn as a community.

“The Alliance has served as a trusted educational resource for federal policymakers and the health policy community for over 30 years. This work will enable us to build on our rich history of bipartisanship and bring innovative approaches to health policy education,” said the Alliance President and CEO, Sarah Dash, MPH.

“At RWJF, we believe that access to healthcare is essential to everyone’s ability to achieve and maintain good health – and it is not possible without affordable, quality health insurance coverage,” said Alyson K. Northrup, senior policy officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. “This grant will enable the Alliance for Health Policy to bring fresh energy to bipartisan engagement on health coverage policy ideas.”

About the Alliance for Health Policy

The Alliance for Health Policy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping policymakers and the public better understand health policy, the root of the nation’s health care issues, and the trade-offs posed by various proposals for change. We educate congressional and executive agency staff on health policy issues, engage the health care community and stakeholders in solutions-focused dialogues, and convene public webinars on a range of health policy topics and emerging health issues. Regardless of their point of view, our audience recognizes the Alliance’s reputation as a well-respected source for unbiased health policy information. For more information, please visit www.allhealthpolicy.org.

For media inquiries related to the Alliance, please contact Madeline Pennington, mpennington@allhealthpolicy.org.

About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is committed to improving health and health equity in the United States. In partnership with others, we are working to develop a Culture of Health rooted in equity that provides every individual with a fair and just opportunity to thrive, no matter who they are, where they live, or how much money they have. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org.

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From ancient times to the present, from the sublime to the everyday, our culture is replete with stories about the journeys we take in life. When we travel through memory, we “revisit” the past. When we face a tough decision, we’re at a “crossroads”. And when we are called to new adventures, we venture into “uncharted territory.”

As people, we are meant to explore – whether physically traveling from place to place, or inwardly, on the metaphorical hero’s journey (or both). Along the way, important life lessons are learned. New alliances are formed. Difficult choices are made. And sometimes, our heroes confront their darkest fears and emerge with deeper clarity and wisdom about their next steps.

What does all this mean for those of us who have dedicated our careers to health policy?

Let us consider what typically draws our heroes out of their comfort zones: an unexpected visitor, a cataclysmic event, or a growing, unsettling recognition that the status quo, as comfortable as it might seem, is simply too painful to sustain.

I believe we are now at that point in our health policy journey. We must now choose: between the illusory comfort of a status quo that has left life expectancy declining, costs increasing, and people voicing their frustrations with a confusing and fragmented health care experience – and the possibility of designing for a future that empowers health and prosperity, delivers seamless, affordable care, and earns the trust of people across the country – regardless of political affiliation, income, or personal characteristics.

Here’s the good news: As a health policy community, we now have a chance to chart the course to our next destination. And thanks to your support and active participation, the Alliance for Health Policy has been exploring new ways to help us find the way forward. We’ve pushed the envelope to convene cross-partisan, multi-stakeholder dialogues on a broad range of health policy topics – from a Roadmap for Policymakers on public health emergency flexibilities, to a roundtable on the mental health workforce, to our Signature Series on Envisioning a Person-First Health System, co-designed with many of you and colleagues from across the health policy spectrum. 

Along our journey, we’ve learned so much: about humility, listening, and bringing out the best in each other. As we turn our attention to next year’s programming – including our Signature Series on AI and Health, our back-to-basics Health Policy Academy, and our 2024 Election Year Forecast and Post-Election Symposium – we look forward to collaborating with you as we deepen our commitment to finding better ways to have better conversations that lead to better outcomes for the American people.

My own personal and professional journey of nearly the last decade has been inextricably linked to the journey we’ve taken at the Alliance and in health policy. From the beginning, we asked ourselves existential questions. How would an organization like the Alliance go about bringing together diverse perspectives in an increasingly polarized world? How would we navigate our mission to share the truth in a world where everyone increasingly believes their own truths? How would we make a meaningful difference in health policy – addressing issues that matter and not just being content to pick the so-called “low hanging fruit?” As I prepare to pass the torch to our next leader, I can confidently say that the Alliance – our Board, team, and community of supporters – have never been in a better position to answer the difficult questions before us as a health policy community. And despite the inevitable differences that exist, I truly believe a new window of opportunity is opening to map the future of health policy.

Journeys are sometimes lonely, solitary endeavors. But I can’t think of a single great story in which the journey doesn’t involve unusual companions, wise helpers, and the formation of lifelong friendships. I want to share my deepest appreciation to those of you who have been part of the Alliance journey thus far – who have had the courage, curiosity and commitment to help us tackle difficult questions, and especially to those who have given us the necessary time and space, wisdom and encouragement, and tangible support, to allow us to delve further into the unknown.  

The road ahead may be daunting. It may be rife with obstacles – but will also undoubtedly reveal as-yet undiscovered gifts. As the motley cast of characters discovers in the musical, “In to the Woods” discovers, no one is alone. And neither are we. I’ll see you on the journey.

Sarah J. Dash, MPH 

President and CEO 

Alliance for Health Policy 

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Washington, D.C. — The Alliance for Health Policy is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to our Board of Directors– Cynthia Rice, MPP,  former Chief Mission Strategy Officer for JDRF, and Ladd Wiley, J.D., Policy team leader at EPIC. 

Cynthia Rice, MPP brings extensive health policy experience to the Alliance. At JDRF,  Rice accelerated the development and access to life-changing breakthroughs for people with type 1 diabetes and strengthened the organization’s capacity to advance its mission. Before her time at JDRF, she additionally advised two members of the Senate Finance Committee on health care policies.

Ladd Wiley, J.D.,  previously served in government as the Principal Deputy General Counsel of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the Counselor to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. His experience in specialized health policy and health industry practice will be invaluable to the Alliance.

“On behalf of the Alliance Board of Directors, I am excited to welcome Cynthia and Ladd,” said Board Chair Tanisha Carino. “Their experience listening and learning as respected members of the health policy community will be an asset to the Alliance as we continue to champion bipartisan convening and educate the health policy community.”

Read more about Ms. Rice and Mr. Wiley here:

Cynthia Rice, MPP

As a non-profit executive, senior government policy official, and patient advocacy leader for more than three decades, Cynthia Rice has advanced numerous innovative initiatives to improve healthcare and strengthen communities.

Most recently, Ms. Rice served as Chief Mission Strategy Officer for JDRF, accelerating the development and access to life-changing breakthroughs for people with type 1 diabetes and strengthening the organization’s capacity to advance its mission.

In government, Ms. Rice served at the White House, leading a team at the Domestic Policy Council, and in the U.S. Senate, advising two members of the Senate Finance Committee on healthcare, budget, and social policies.

In these and other roles, Ms. Rice worked closely with leaders in Congress, the executive branch, foundations, advocacy organizations, research institutions, the clinical community, private insurance companies, and companies as well as networks of volunteers.

Ms. Rice has a master’s degree in public policy from the University of California at Berkeley and a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University.

Ladd Wiley, J.D.

Ladd Wiley leads the Public Policy team at Epic and is a member of Epic’s Board of Directors. Prior to joining Epic, Ladd was in private practice in Washington, DC working in health policy. He is an expert in the Senate confirmation process and has guided numerous cabinet level and agency heads through that process. Ladd has extensive experience in government leadership and health policy. He previously served as HHS’ Principal Deputy General Counsel and Counselor to the HHS Secretary. Before that, he was Chief Counsel to the Governor of Wisconsin.

About the Alliance for Health Policy

The Alliance for Health Policy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping policymakers and the public better understand health policy, the root of the nation’s health care issues, and the trade-offs posed by various proposals for change. We educate congressional and executive agency staff on health policy issues, engage the health care community and stakeholders in solutions-focused dialogues, and convene public webinars on a range of health policy topics and emerging health issues.  Regardless of their point of view, our audience recognizes the Alliance’s reputation as a well-respected source for unbiased health policy information.  For more information, please visit www.allhealthpolicy.org.

For media inquiries related to the Alliance, please contact Madeline Pennington, mpennington@allhealthpolicy.org.

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