Ep. 58: Wendell Potter is a bestselling author and journalist whose work has been published inThe New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today and many other media outlets. Since leaving his 20-year career as an executive at two of the world’s largest healthcare corporations – Cigna and Humana – he has testified before Congress numerous times to explain how the health insurance industry really works. A former investigative reporter, Washington correspondent and corporate executive, Wendell delivers an insider’s perspective into those issues as editor-in-chief of his HEALTH CARE un-covered newsletter and through the nonprofit work he leads. He is the founder and president of the Center for Health and Democracy and leads the Lower Out-of-Pockets (LOOP) NOW coalition, which works with policymakers, employers and health benefits consultants to reduce the unsustainably high deductibles and other cost-sharing requirements that burden millions of American families. He also has helped produce four documentaries that delve into various aspects of the U.S. health care system.

Listen now, and learn how Wendell is an innovative leader in healthcare.

For more about the Health Fund: https://healthfund.org/

Ep. 57: Laura Howard serves as Secretary for both the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) and the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF).

During the span of her career, Howard has served in various roles at the then-Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) from 1997 to 2011, including as Assistant Secretary, Deputy Secretary for Health Care Policy, and Deputy Secretary for Operations. After leaving state service in 2011, she served for three years as the Region VII Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Regional Administrator within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She also led the KU Public Management Center. In that role, Howard had the opportunity to interact with KDADS staff through the Center’s Emerging Leaders and Certified Public Management® programs.

Listen now, and learn how Secretary Howard is an innovative leader in Kansas.

For more about the Health Fund: https://healthfund.org/

Ep. 56: Anthony Wright serves as the executive director of Families USA. Before joining the organization, Anthony Wright served 22 years as executive director of Health Access California, a statewide healthcare consumer advocacy coalition. Under Anthony’s leadership, Health Access California led state efforts to win patient protections, fight budget cuts, invest in the safety net, expand coverage, and advance equity and prevention.

Anthony led California’s coalition effort to help pass and later defend the Affordable Care Act, and for state policies to implement and improve the law to attain the biggest drop of the uninsured rate in the nation. He was responsible for numerous successful health care advocacy efforts to pass critical health reforms — such as nation-leading laws to stop surprise medical bills, ensure timely access to care, stop hospitals overcharging, and expand Medicaid regardless of age, assets, or immigration status.

A consumer advocate and community organizer quoted widely in state and national media, Anthony’s background also includes working for New Jersey Citizen Action, the Center for Media Education, The Nation magazine, and at the White House in Vice President Al Gore’s office. Raised in the Bronx, he graduated from Amherst College magna cum laude in both English and Sociology.

Listen now, and learn how Anthony is an innovative leader in healthcare.

For more about the Health Fund, visit www.healthfund.org.