Healthcare Leadership Council (HLC)

With U.S. healthcare at a crucial crossroads, HLC Chair Secretary Alex Azar and Executive Committee Member Wyatt Decker, M.D., MBA of UnitedHealth Group share how HLC is providing a unified voice across all sectors of healthcare to shape the future of the industry. Learn more about HLC: https://www.hlc.org/about/ 

With AI as one of the most important policy issues of the day, HLC convened leaders from its membership for a standing-room-only briefing on Capitol Hill examining how these emerging technologies are already transforming healthcare delivery. Being the only Washington organization that brings together voices from the full spectrum of the U.S. healthcare sector, HLC is uniquely positioned to drive these conversations forward.   Congressional Staff and stakeholders heard from a panel featuring Carla Cartwright of Johnson & Johnson, Micky Tripathi of Mayo Clinic, and Luis Ungaro of Sword Health. Many thanks to our moderator Arun Shastri of ZS. Following the panel, Seema Verma of Oracle Life Sciences sat down with HLC’s Maria Ghazal. Companies including Ascension, Cotiviti, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Oracle, Stryker, Sword Health and Verily Health showcased their cutting-edge AI solutions that are already helping reduce provider burdens and improve patient outcomes. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/e-YpsHdj   Thank you to all who lent their expertise, time, and attention for these important discussions on shaping the future of healthcare.

Investing in Domestic Manufacturing: HLC member Amgen recently announced an additional $300 million investment in its U.S. manufacturing network to expand domestic production capacity, advance next‑generation technologies, and strengthen the reliability of the medicine supply for patients. This brings Amgen’s U.S. manufacturing commitment to nearly $2 billion over the past year.   The latest investment will support the expansion of Amgen’s manufacturing facility in Puerto Rico, reinforcing its role as one of the largest and most advanced biomanufacturing facilities in the world, producing medicines distributed to more than 60 countries.   This announcement builds on Amgen’s broader U.S. manufacturing strategy, including planned investments of $650 million in Puerto Rico, $900 million in Ohio, $600 million in a science and innovation center in California, and more than $1.5 billion in North Carolina.   Read More: https://lnkd.in/e9k2p2GJ   HLC is proud to represent members like Amgen who are strengthening America’s medical supply chain and using cutting‑edge technology to make a tangible difference in patients’ lives. #MedicalSupplyChain #HealthInnovation #USManufacturing #HealthcareLeadership

AI is accelerating change in healthcare - federal policy is critical to responsible adoption. On May 14, HLC is convening senior healthcare executives and former government officials for a briefing on Capitol Hill entitled, "How AI is Reshaping Healthcare - And the Policy Path Forward." Discussions will explore the real-world impact of AI on patient outcomes, clinical workflows, and administrative efficiency and examine what role federal policy should play in supporting its responsible adoption. Plus, the briefing will feature an interactive showcase from HLC member companies of real-world AI applications. RSVP Required. Click to learn more: https://lnkd.in/e-YpsHdj

Last week, HLC member Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts announced that the use of its new online preapproval tool has doubled in the past year, saving clinicians time and reducing administrative work. Blue Cross' Prior Authorization Quick Lookup tool has seen rapid provider adoption, climbing from roughly 7,300 interactions during the first month to averaging about 15,000 interactions currently.   "We're stewards of our members' premiums, with responsibility to ensure every dollar goes to care that is affordable, high-quality and effective. This tool helps us partner efficiently with clinicians in our network, so our members get the care they need as quickly and seamlessly as possible." said HLC member Sarah Iselin, Blue Cross' CEO & president.   Learn more: https://lnkd.in/euGmRTkX   HLC is proud to have members developing tools that support clinician partners in reducing administrative burdens to have more time for patient care.

We were pleased to welcome both Lizzy Letter, Deputy Chief of Staff, and Mariah Baker, Health Legislative Assistant for Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) to our latest Legislative Lunch.   The discussion provided a high-level look at Senator Murray’s healthcare priorities, including:   🔵 Strengthening access to affordable coverage for patients and families 🔵 Supporting Medicaid and broader coverage programs 🔵 Advancing women’s health priorities and public health efforts 🔵 Prioritizing sustained investment in NIH funding and VA research 🔵 Addressing other upcoming considerations, including CDC and ASPR nominations, user fee reauthorizations, and related legislative activity   Many thanks to Lizzy and Mariah for their time and helpful insights.

Using AI to Find Cancer Early: A new model developed by HLC member Mayo Clinic can help specialists detect pancreatic cancer on routine abdominal CT scans up to three years before clinical diagnosis, according to a recently released study.   The Radiomics-based Early Detection Model - or REDMOD - uses AI to identify subtle signs of disease before tumors are visible, when curative treatment may still be possible. Researchers used REDMOD to analyze nearly 2,000 CT scans, including scans from patients later diagnosed with pancreatic cancer — all originally interpreted as normal. It identified 73% of those prediagnostic cancers at a median of about 16 months before diagnosis — nearly double the detection rate of specialists reviewing the same scans without AI assistance.   These findings are part of a milestone in Mayo Clinic's multiyear research effort to enable earlier detection of one of the deadliest cancers. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gzMt7cTM   HLC is proud to have members using cutting edge technology to make a tangible difference in patient’s lives.

Progress on prior authorization works best when the healthcare sector comes together to focus on patients and providers.   Having leading health plans commit to a standardized approach to electronic prior authorization is a meaningful step toward faster decisions for patients, less administrative burden for providers, and a more consistent experience across coverage types.   Several HLC members are among the plans participating in this voluntary initiative, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, The Cigna Group and UnitedHealth Group.   We look forward to continued engagement across the healthcare ecosystem to ensure these standards are implemented in ways that truly improve speed of care.   https://lnkd.in/edJWvXG3

We are seeking a Director of Health Policy to support the development of cross‑sector policy solutions.   This role will work closely with HLC members and leading health policy experts to track legislative and regulatory developments, draft policy materials, and represent HLC in key coalitions and initiatives.   If you are enthusiastic about healthcare policy, have strong writing skills and the ability to thrive in a collaborative, fast‑paced environment, please send over your resume!   Learn more and apply by sending a resume and contact information to HLC@hlc.org or visit https://lnkd.in/eByGmd8t   #HealthcarePolicy #PublicPolicy #HealthcareLeadership #Hiring #HealthPolicyJobs

For nearly 40 years, HLC's members have been steadfast in their commitment to enhancing patient care by finding consensus policy solutions. Hear from our President and CEO Maria Ghazal, HLC Chair Alex Azar, and some of our Executive Committee members about HLC's unique impact in Washington.   Many thanks to Michael J. Alkire of Premier Inc., Barry Arbuckle of MemorialCare, Wyatt Decker, M.D., MBA of UnitedHealth Group, Heather Knight of Solventum, and our 2024-2025 Chair Calvin W. Schmidt, for sharing their perspectives on HLC's influence on Capitol Hill on behalf of the healthcare sector.   As leaders from across the healthcare continuum, our collective voice provides unique expertise that informs policymakers for legislative and regulatory developments in the following areas: 🔵 Transforming access to patient-centered care 🔵 Defining industry response to disruptive megatrends, like AI and cybersecurity 🔵 Promoting private sector investment and ingenuity   Learn more: https://www.hlc.org/