Leaders Discuss the Future of U.S. Health Care

WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 5, 2016 – NIHCM Foundation today is bringing a diverse panel of health care experts to Capitol Hill to discuss the future of health care in America—including considerations for incoming political leaders and innovations to watch.

Speakers include Governor Mike Leavitt, former Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services under President George W. Bush; Bob Kocher, former Special Assistant to the President for Healthcare and Economic Policy under President Barack Obama; JD Hickey, President and CEO of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee; Jeff Roe, President and CEO of Premera Blue Cross; and Uwe Reinhardt, James Madison Professor of Political Economy at Princeton University.

“We’re in a moment when everyone is wondering ‘What’s next?’” said Nancy Chockley, President and CEO of NIHCM Foundation. "'What will happen to the ACA under new leadership?’ ‘What’s the next breakthrough innovation?’ ‘Can we handle continued cost growth?’ We’re bringing together experts with different viewpoints to discuss the future of health care and what we should be thinking about moving forward.”

Jeff Roe, President and CEO of Premera Blue Cross, added, "What’s next for health care? Just look around Seattle—look at Amazon and Starbucks and how they’ve transformed consumer expectations. They’re responsive, they’re personal, they’re easy to interact with, and that’s how health insurance should be. At Premera, we’re creating a consumer-obsessed culture that will vastly improve the experience of health care for our members."

Gov. Mike Leavitt, whose experience spans state government, federal government and private sector health care, noted, “Regardless of who is elected the next President, the need to forge alliances has never been greater. The entire health care industry—including states, providers, payers, pharmaceutical companies, consumers, and policymakers—must come together and share their lessons learned in order to provide higher quality care at a lower cost nationwide. Each stakeholder has a specific realm of influence, but collaborating across the industry will transcend those barriers and ensure success.”

About NIHCM

The National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving the health of Americans by spurring workable and creative solutions to pressing health care problems.