The Alliance for Health Policy Releases New Insights Report Underscoring Aging Health as a Key Policy Issue for 2025

– Report serves as precursor to the Alliance’s 2025 Signature Series exploring aging health needs in America

Washington, D.C. — The Alliance for Health Policy today released a new insights report on aging health policy as part of a program designed to convene leading experts and inform future educational programming during the Alliance’s annual Signature Series. With Americans living longer and those aged 65 and older expected to reach nearly a quarter of the total population by 2050, the impact of aging on health policy is more consequential than ever.

“We all experience aging, so this is a universal issue,” said Claire Sheahan, M.Sc., President and CEO of the Alliance. “Our research shows the aging health policy landscape is complex, and education on the fundamentals of aging policy is needed. Aging is also an area of bipartisan interest in health policy, as there are so many unanswered questions about how we meet the needs of older Americans as their ranks continue to grow. This report serves as a thought provoking kick-off to a year-long conversation during the Alliance’s Signature Series for 2025.”

This report, sponsored by West Health, brought together expert voices across sectors to identify key challenges and opportunities in aging health policy. The report summarizes findings on the most pressing gaps and priorities in aging policy, and as well as areas of opportunity for future discussion.

“We see the need for better care models and corresponding policies that address the quality and cost of healthcare for older adults,” said Timothy Lash, President, West Health Policy Center, a nonprofit focused on healthcare and aging and sponsor of the insights report. “This report from the Alliance for Health Policy shines the light on the need and increases the urgency to address them with smart public policy.”

These insights will inform the Alliance’s 2025 Signature Series, which will explore a foundational framework to address aging health needs in America. The initiative 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. Events will include a thought leader workshop, a public summit, and a congressional briefing.

The Signature Series represents both phases of the Alliance’s two-step program lifecycle: “Incubate,” which consists of insight development, strategy workshops and reports to inform educational programming, and “Educate,” where the Alliance hosts educational curriculum to prepare legislative staff and the broader policy community on the building blocks and emerging issues in health policy.

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

Read the full report:

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:

Carolyn Sobczyk
Communications Consultant
csobczyk@allhealthpolicy.org

For sponsorship inquiries, please contact:

Kelly Appenzeller
Director of Production and Development
kappenzeller@allhealthpolicy.org

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The Alliance for Health Policy Opens Call for Applications for 2025 Bipartisan Learning Communities Congressional Fellowship

– Fellows will enter into a first-of-its-kind 10-month career development program that equips them for health policy leadership
– Informational webinar to be held on Thursday, February 13 at 4:30 p.m. EST

Washington, D.C. — The Alliance for Health Policy announces applications are now open for the first-ever Bipartisan Learning Communities Congressional Fellowship, a pioneering educational and professional development program that aims to cultivate future health policy leaders.

The 10-month, nonpartisan congressional fellowship will enable Rising Stars on Capitol Hill to deepen their expertise, knowledge and skills in health policy. The fellowship curriculum draws from recommendations from senior-level congressional staff and will balance a focus on educational content with Hill-relevant skill development.

“The Bipartisan Learning Communities fellowship was inspired by the many requests we field from early-career congressional staff and leadership about the need for more educational and skill-building programming focused on health policy,” said Claire Sheahan, M.Sc., President and CEO of the Alliance. “We worked with leading experts in the field to form this first-of-its-kind program that offers Hill staff a tailored, ongoing curriculum to take on today’s complex health care challenges and become tomorrow’s health policy leaders.”

The Alliance invites early-to-mid career congressional staff with up to five years of full-time experience to apply. The program does not require candidates to have prior health policy experience, only a demonstrated interest. Applications close Friday, February 21.

To address questions about the fellowship program and the application process, the Alliance will hold an informational webinar on Thursday, February 13 at 4:30 p.m. EST. Registration for the webinar is available here.

To learn more, apply or nominate a candidate for the fellowship, visit the Alliance website here.

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 media inquiries related to this announcement, please contact Carolyn Sobczyk at csobczyk@allhealthpolicy.org.

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The Alliance for Health Policy Concludes First Ever Signature Seminar Programs, Releases Reports on Mental Health and Rare Disease

– Releases reports on key seminar findings, plus an illustrated stakeholder map on rare disease
– Outcomes will inform upcoming Alliance educational programming for legislative staff and the broader policy community

Washington, D.C. — The Alliance for Health Policy today released final reports with findings from its 2024 Signature Seminars on Mental Health and Rare Disease.

• Mental Health Report
• Rare Disease Report

In 2024, the organization began hosting Signature Seminar programs as part of the “Incubate” phase of the Alliance’s two-step program lifecycle. This phase involves bringing together experts across the health policy community to provide insights and direction on key policy issues, which a focus on priority areas of education and interest for policymakers.

Armed with these findings, the Alliance will now transition to the “Educate” phase, in which they will develop educational programming based on the seminar findings and aimed at legislative staffers and the health policy community.

“By harnessing the expertise of our whip-smart and experienced Alliance community, these programs allow us to brainstorm and develop new resources for understanding important policy issues like mental health and rare disease,” said Claire Sheahan, M.Sc., President and CEO of the Alliance. “These programs generate insights and recommendations that inform future educational programming on the topic for our policy community that reflects a breadth of stakeholder input. That aligns with our 30-plus year history of upholding our nonpartisan, stakeholder-neutral mission. We are grateful to our sponsors and participants for making these energizing and productive discussions and the reports they generate possible.”

About the 2024 Signature Seminar on Mental Health

The 2024 Signature Seminar on Mental Health identified strategies to improve outcomes and patient experiences. One workshop reviewed case studies of successful programs serving youth, elderly and those exiting the criminal justice system, and looked for shared learnings in the examples.

“Mental health remains a pressing national issue, and one of bipartisan interest,” said Sheahan. “The insights and recommendations developed during our Signature Seminar on Mental Health provide a grounding foundation for those who are interested in how the mental health policy landscape is evolving. It will also provide the Alliance excellent guidance as we develop further programs for those who want to learn more about how to drive meaningful progress in policymaking.”

About the 2024 Signature Seminar on Rare Disease

The 2024 Signature Seminar on Rare Disease illuminated pressing challenges and opportunities in the current landscape in rare disease policy, and provided a roadmap for future educational programming. Based on the repeated finding of the need for a better understanding of key actors in rare disease policy, one workshop generated an illustrated stakeholder map of over 80 stakeholders who play a significant role in the rare disease policy conversation.

“As part of our listening process, we learned that rare disease policy is a bipartisan priority. At the same time, there was not a readily available, easy-to-understand guide to ‘who’s who’ in rare disease,” said Sheahan. “This Signature Seminar on Rare Disease allowed us to draw on the collective wisdom of our community to create a first version of a stakeholder list to fill that gap and share it publicly. This resource is designed to generate further conversation, honing and updating by the community. We look forward to continuing to build on the insights and frameworks developed during this Signature Seminar to develop effective, nonpartisan Congressional education.”

View the rare disease stakeholder map:

Please note, the Rare Disease report and stakeholder map were updated on 2/6/2025 to correct a typo.

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.

For media inquiries related to this announcement, please contact Carolyn Sobczyk at csobczyk@allhealthpolicy.org.

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The Alliance for Health Policy Announces New Board of Directors Leadership

Hall becomes board chair, Ivancic and Turney appointed to the board

Washington, D.C. — The Alliance for Health Policy is pleased to announce long-time Alliance champion and Board of Directors member Elizabeth Hall will assume the role of board chair. Mike Park, J.D., MPH, a partner in Alston & Bird’s Health Care Legislative & Public Policy Group, will become vice chair and secretary. Lisa Chimento will take on the role of treasurer and chair of the finance committee, while Marc Samuels will step into the chair position of the development committee, and Demetrios L. Kouzoukas will also begin serving as chair of governance. Cynthia Rice will retain her role as chair of the program committee.

Additionally, the Alliance announces the appointment of two new members to our Board of Directors – Charlotte Ivancic, partner at Tarplin, Downs & Young, and Susan Turney, M.D., internist and former CEO of Marshfield Clinic Health System.

“I am honored to step into this role and thrilled to welcome Charlotte and Dr. Turney to our Board,” said incoming Alliance board chair Elizabeth Hall. “The Alliance was a critical part of my own learning and professional development as a staffer in the Senate, and I believe so strongly in its mission to provide education and resources for those doing the important work of health policy today.”

Elizabeth Hall has served on the Alliance Board of Directors since 2017, most recently holding the position of vice chair. She is the vice president of public policy and issues management at Elevance Health. Prior to joining Elevance Health, Ms. Hall served as the director of the Office of Legislation at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She also worked for Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) in Congress.

Charlotte Ivancic is a partner at Tarplin, Downs & Young, LLC and spent more than a decade on Capitol Hill serving as a health care policy advisor to members of the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives. Before working for Congress, Charlotte was a health care attorney in a D.C. regulatory practice. She also worked at Children’s Hospital in Boston prior to attending law school at Boston University, where she concentrated in health law.

Susan Turney, M.D., is the former CEO of Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS), and a nationally recognized physician administrator, leader and speaker on topics including rural health, strategic planning, executive management and external relations. Prior to her MCHS position, Dr. Turney was President and CEO of Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), the leading association for medical group practice administrators and executives, from 2011-14. She was CEO and Executive VP of the Wisconsin Medical Society from 2004-11. She is a Fellow in the American College of Medical Practice Executives (FACMPE), having earned that distinction in 2005. Her career in management was complemented by 22 years of service as an internal medicine physician at Marshfield Clinic, serving in education and leadership roles and as medical director for Patient Financial Services from 1995 to 2004. Dr. Turney, a native of Mellen, Wisconsin, graduated from Northland College, Ashland, Wisconsin; and the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. She completed her internal medicine residency at Marshfield Clinic/Ministry Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield, Wisconsin, and earned a masters degree in administrative medicine from UW-Madison.

The Alliance expresses its gratitude to outgoing board members: imminent past chair Tanisha Carino, Ph.D., partner with the Brunswick Group; Dan Mendelson, MPP, CEO at Morgan Health, of JPMorgan Chase & Co.; Dianne Faup, J.D., a founding partner at Speire Healthcare Strategies, and Margaret A. Murray, founding CEO of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP).

Learn more about the Alliance’s Board of Directors here.

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 media inquiries related to this announcement, please contact Carolyn Sobczyk at csobczyk@allhealthpolicy.org.

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The Alliance for Health Policy Releases Insights Report Highlighting Rare Disease Policy Gaps and Opportunities for 2025 and Beyond

Educational programing and mapping stakeholders in rare disease also part of larger effort

Washington, D.C. — The Alliance for Health Policy today released a new insights report on rare disease policy as part of a program designed to gather policy experts and inform future educational programming. Rare diseases collectively affect an estimated 25 to 30 million people in the United States, about 1 in 10 Americans, and is an area of bipartisan interest. 

A broad range of experts were interviewed for the insights report, identifying key challenges and opportunities in rare disease policy, which sits at the intersection of high patient need, highly complex science, and financial and health system constraints. The report identifies several critical themes, including:

• Access to Care: Timely and affordable access to therapies and specialists remains a significant challenge. Geographic barriers, delays in diagnostics, and treatment inequities require renewed attention.
• Insurance and Affordability: High out-of-pocket costs and complex insurance structures pose significant barriers to care, exacerbating the financial strain on families managing rare diseases. Balancing the urgency of care with the costs of drug development is essential.
• Rapid Diagnostics and Telehealth: Advances in technology offer opportunities to enhance diagnostic speed and access. Telehealth is particularly promising in overcoming geographic and financial obstacles.
• Genetic Testing and Cell and Gene Therapy: While genetic testing and counseling provide critical tools for diagnosis and treatment, including potentially curative solutions through cell and gene therapy, concerns about privacy and data protection must remain a policy priority.
• Incentivizing Research and Innovation: Encouraging investment in rare disease therapies requires robust incentives for pharmaceutical companies to tackle the high costs and limited market potential of such treatments.
• Regulatory Landscape Opportunities: The FDA’s accelerated approval pathway and Rare Disease Innovation Hub are crucial mechanisms in fostering investment and accelerating the delivery of therapies that can improve patient outcomes.

As part of the larger effort, the Alliance also convened trusted thought leaders from Congress, the administration, patient advocacy groups, industry leaders, healthcare providers, and academia to advance solution-driven conversations around rare disease policy. These experts focused on setting priorities for 2025 educational programming, mapping stakeholders engaged in addressing complex issues in rare diseases, and preparing members of Congress and their staff with needed information in this complex field. A report sharing these nonpartisan, cross-sector policy considerations will be released in early 2025.

“We know that the rare disease policy landscape is distinct and raises unique questions for policymakers,” said Claire Sheahan, President and CEO of the Alliance for Health Policy. “By bringing together diverse voices and fostering informed discussions, we aim to illuminate some of the areas most suited for educational focus. The insights memo is our ‘listen first’ approach to harnessing the collective wisdom of Alliance community experts to inform a robust nonpartisan approach to teaching about rare disease policy.”

This initiative on rare diseases builds on the Alliance’s long history of fostering nonpartisan collaboration across sectors to engage and educate the policy community on the most pressing health policy issues.

Read the full report:

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:

Carolyn Sobczyk
Communications Consultant
csobczyk@allhealthpolicy.org

For sponsorship inquiries, please contact:

Kelly Appenzeller
Director of Production and Development
kappenzeller@allhealthpolicy.org

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The Alliance for Health Policy Releases Report on Expert Insights on Mental Health Policy: What’s Changed in the Last Two Years?

Group holding three events to further discussion on areas of opportunity

Washington, D.C. — The Alliance for Health Policy recently convened thought leaders from Congress, the Administration, patient advocacy groups, industry, health care providers, and academia for the first of three workshops to advance dialogue on mental health policy education and opportunities. This collaborative effort brings together trusted voices across sectors to outline the priorities for 2025 educational programming, tackling complex issues surrounding mental health and to prepare Congress for upcoming policy challenges in this critical field. Today, the Alliance is releasing its insights report, drawn from interviews with multiple leading voices in mental health, and sharing some key trends. 

These experts examined a range of issues central to mental health policy, including:

• Timing and Sense of Urgency: Despite fluctuations in public focus, bipartisan interest in advancing mental health policy remains strong.
• Some Progress in a Patchwork System: The current mental health landscape is marked by a fragmented funding structure, hindering unified policy implementation and creating a disjointed experience for patients that disincentivizes the right care at the right time.
• Differing Perspective on Parity as a Path Forward: While some advocate for integrating mental health with broader health care through parity, others see alternative models as more effective.
• Looking to Case Studies/Populations with Specific Needs for Learnings: There are some programs that reflect a “bright spot” for progress, with opportunities for lessons learned.

The effort builds on the Alliance’s 2022 Mental Health Signature Series, which identified a foundational framework to address mental health needs in America. The framework emphasized five key areas of strength that would be central in an ideal mental health system: Quality and Measurement, Radical Collaboration, Innovation, Sustainability and Workforce, and Parity/Magnitude. 

The 2024 initiative focuses on developing a core mental health “curriculum” for congressional staff, equipping them to engage effectively with emerging mental health policy, and addressing some of the key issues that surfaced in the insights report.

Mental health has become one of the most urgent health issues facing the United States, with nearly one in five adults—more than 50 million Americans—experiencing mental health conditions each year. The economic impact is also staggering, with an estimated $280 billion in annual health care costs. However, there is hope: most mental health conditions are treatable, and with proper care, people can live fulfilling, productive lives. This urgency drives the Alliance’s focus on equipping policymakers, especially congressional staff, with the resources needed through nonpartisan education and convening that inform more effective nonpartisan solutions.

“Our research shows that while policymakers have made inroads and improvements in mental health policy since 2022, there is still much work to be done to achieve the ‘ideal’ that the Alliance community identified two years ago. Challenges like continuity of care, mental health workforce adequacy, and the need for a system that rewards early and culturally relevant engagement persist,” said Claire Sheahan, President and CEO of the Alliance for Health Policy. “Within this environment, the Alliance has brought our community together to identify some key areas to integrate into our curriculum for educational materials and events on mental health policy for policymakers.” 

This report was released in conjunction with a series of three events in an Alliance “Signature Seminar” on mental health. The first covered identifying learning goals and outcomes and potential content for educational sessions, the second covered the issues of care continuity and potential integration of journey mapping into policy development, and the third will focus on case studies of successful mental health policy interventions and key learnings. At the conclusion of the three events, a second report will be released, providing a useful resource for the health policy community.

Read full report:

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:

Carolyn Sobczyk
Communications Consultant
csobczyk@allhealthpolicy.org

For sponsorship inquiries, please contact:

Kelly Appenzeller
Director of Production and Development
kappenzeller@allhealthpolicy.org

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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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