Today, 250 Nashville Health Care Council member executives gathered for a panel discussion on opportunities and challenges the industry faces due to the recent rise in payer consolidation. Hosted as part of the Council’s Trends and Influencers Series, panel members represented the payer, provider and association perspectives.
The conversation was moderated by Heather Howard, lecturer, Princeton University Woodrow Wilson School of Public Policy, and director, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation State Health Reform Assistance Network, and included panelists Mark Ganz, president and CEO, Cambia Health Solutions, Mindy Hatton, senior vice president and general counsel, American Hospital Association, and Marilyn Tavenner, president and CEO, America’s Health Insurance Plans.
Click here to view video excerpts from today’s speakers.
Click here to view event photos online.
Photo credit: Donn Jones Photography
Panel members discussed the drivers of the payer consolidation trend and whether it will lead to improved patient care and efficiency. Also discussed was the expected impact to each panelist’s customers and members.
“Consolidation that results in three very large insurers commanding 44 percent of the market is of great concern to providers,” said Hatton. “Market analysis shows that the pending acquisitions will result in widespread anticompetitive market concentration leading to higher costs and fewer choices for consumers.”
“Our cause is to transform health care to be economically sustainable and more focused on people and their families. We’re realizing this because of our consolidation 20 years ago, which empowered our path toward the consumer. Bringing together intellectual capacity and financial capital has allowed us to pursue innovation and fundamentally reposition the company from a traditional health plan to a total health solutions platform,” said Ganz.
Additionally, panelists spoke about recent M&A activity and what the new payer landscape looks like in the coming years.
“This is a time of tremendous change for the health care industry,” said Tavenner. “Health plans are working in collaboration with other key stakeholders across the health system to innovate, lower costs and increase the quality of care for patients.”
“This timely discussion afforded our members the opportunity to hear first-hand from the nation’s industry leaders on issues that are top of mind,” said Council President Hayley Hovious. “Council members represent a diverse range of health care industry perspectives and it is our hope that this conversation will help them to make good business decisions and move this industry forward.”
Today’s program was presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. Supporting sponsors were Bass, Berry & Sims, Cressey & Company, KPMG and LifePoint Health.
About the Nashville Health Care Council
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Nashville Health Care Council is a premier association of health care industry leaders working together to further establish Nashville’s position as the nation’s health care industry capital. Supported by nearly 300 corporate members, including Nashville-based and national health care companies, the Council serves as a trusted source for information on trends that influence the health care industry. The organization provides members with one-of-a-kind networking opportunities and access to Nashville’s elite health care business community.
Worldwide, Nashville’s health care industry generates more than 500,000 jobs and $73 billion in annual revenue. The industry is Nashville’s largest and fastest growing employer. For more information on the Council, please visit www.healthcarecouncil.com.
Contact: Katie Schlacter
Nashville Health Care Council
kschlacter@healthcarecouncil.com
615-743-3147