Arika Pierce Williams, JD

With an expanding IT project portfolio and inconsistent oversight, a large health system required stronger governance and a clearer delivery framework. Explore how a PMO‑as‑a‑Service model provided the structure needed to manage execution and adapt to shifting priorities.

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New Trustee Insights reveals the top health care trends that boards and executives should focus on to meet new changes and requirements, including: 1. Market dynamics demand health care model innovation. 2. A shift to 'care anywhere' and intelligent models. 3. Patient loyalty is being redefined. 4. AI is not optional. 5. New solutions are needed to overcome the workforce crisis. Read this special edition: https://lnkd.in/ezmEndmr

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As my latest OPED in RealClearHealth lays out, health care affordability is the number one problem facing American families — and what’s happening in the ACA marketplaces shows it clearly. Premiums in the individual market have climbed far faster than employer plans or inflation, with the average ACA family premium now projected above $27,000 and deductibles exceeding $5,000. The Council for Affordable Health Coverage estimates if current trends persist, the typical American family will spend 40 percent of their income just on premiums, up from 20 percent today. That's brutal. But here’s the part too many miss: this is not an accident or a temporary glitch — it is built into the incentive structure of the system. Under current law, subsidies flow to insurers based on the cost of the most expensive plans. As premiums rise, subsidies rise dollar for dollar, funneling taxpayer money into insurance company revenues rather than driving competition or meaningful cost control. These subsidies plus other policies like MLR rules, 340B expansion, and regulatory complexity, accelerated massive market consolidation. Just a few companies now wield incredible market power. The result? A concentrated marketplace dominated by a few large insurers, narrow networks that limit access, and higher costs for families and taxpayers alike. The underlying program is flawed. More subsidies and money into an expensive system will produce...a more expensive system. Congress should work to realign incentives so insurers compete on price, quality, and consumer value. 1. Break up the monopolies (Trump Administration should use the Clayton and Sherman Act, Congress should expand authority) 2. Establish meaningful transparency 3. Allow consumers to pick any plan on the market 4. Give subsidies to people, not companies Congress must restore competition, transparency, and consumer choice if we are serious about making coverage more affordable. These ideas are a starter set. We're too focused on ACA - just 7 percent of the population - and need to widen the aperture to all markets. Thoughts? https://lnkd.in/eQ7FRZkZ

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Running a state Medicaid program means steering policy, budgets, and teams that shape health care for millions of people in the United States. Yet, few directors remain at the helm of Medicaid programs long enough to witness — and drive — decades of change. This episode of the Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast features Stephanie McGee Azar and Judy Mohr Peterson, two of the nation’s longest tenured Medicaid directors, who share what drew them to their roles, how they approach leadership, and moments that defined their public-service careers. The podcast is developed in partnership by the National Association of Medicaid Directors and the Center for Health Care Strategies through support from the RWJF. 🔗 https://bit.ly/3GuPE9O Jami Snyder, Mark Larson, Lauren Moran, Dawn Cutler-Tran, Kate McEvoy

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Public sector organizations consistently spend more per employee on musculoskeletal care than private sector counterparts without better outcomes. Meanwhile, public sector employees struggle with long wait times, high out-of-pocket costs, and limited rural access. The result? Overuse of surgery, opioids, and emergency care. The solution isn't more spending. It's smarter spending. When we make effective MSK care accessible from day one, we break the cycle of costly reactive care. Public sector leaders are already seeing the impact of Hinge Health. Read our latest insights on transforming MSK care delivery while controlling costs: https://lnkd.in/gpAmbX63

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Health Benefits Are Evolving – Is Your Business Ready? 🚨 In a new op-ed for the Washington Examiner, eHealth, Inc.’s CEO Fran Soistman and former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal explore a game-changing shift in employer-sponsored health insurance: the rise of ICHRA and the proposed CHOICE arrangements. With group health premiums up 25% in just 5 years, employers are seeking more affordable & flexible options. This approach empowers businesses to offer tax-advantaged contributions while giving employees the freedom to choose plans that fit their needs. As Congress discusses changes to this model as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill, employers should understand the potential implications:   ✅ Expanded pre-tax benefits to employees  ✅ Enhanced tax credits for small businesses  ✅ Reduced administrative burdens  ✅ Increased flexibility and affordability 📈 ICHRA adoption is already projected to grow 255% in 2025. Don’t wait for Congress to act — now is the time to explore your options. Read more: https://lnkd.in/guhPa2bP 

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At ICHOM, we are proud to continue working with the Council Of Health Insurance (CHI) as an ICHOM Transformation Partner. As a nonprofit focused on advancing health equity and patient-centered care, CHI is actively supporting organizations in embedding value-based healthcare (VBHC) principles into their strategy and operations, especially in underserved communities. Together, we’re working to accelerate real-world adoption of VBHC across systems, ensuring care models are both measurable and meaningful for every patient. 🔗 Find out more about the partnership: https://www.ichom.org/chi/ #VBHC #ICHOM #HealthEquity #PatientCenteredCare #HealthcareInnovation

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Good article on United Health Group's problems and former CEO Sir Andrew Witty's departure. Question: How can you run a very complex company based in Minneapolis with a $600 billion market cap from London (and a condo in DC)? Answer: You can't. UHG has lost $300 billion in market cap in just 4 months. The UHG board is fortunate to have its chair & former CEO Steve Hemsley to step back in. Its problems are significant, but Hemsley knows the business extremely well, and will get UHG back on track.

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Mergers and affiliations in behavioral health are accelerating, but it’s not about financial rescue. It’s about building stronger, mission-driven organizations. That was the core message in a recent Behavioral Health Tech webinar featuring Kim Sonafelt, CEO of Mainstay Life Services, Stacy Olsen DiStefano, CEO of Consulting For Human Services (CFHS), and Solome Tibebu, President of Behavioral Health Tech. Together, they unpacked why nonprofit behavioral health providers are exploring strategic affiliations and mergers, what’s driving this trend, and how leaders can approach it from a position of strength. Historically, nonprofit affiliations happened by chance: two CEOs meeting at a conference, or a funder nudging an organization to take over another. But that’s changing. Today, leaders are proactively asking: Who’s the right partner to help us expand our mission? DiStefano calls this “M&A from a position of strength.” Instead of waiting for a crisis, organizations are being deliberate by seeking cultural alignment, strategic fit, and shared vision before taking the leap. Mainstay Life Services, a $40M nonprofit serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, wasn’t struggling when it began exploring an affiliation. In fact, the organization had doubled in size over six years. So why pursue a partner? “As a mission-driven organization, our number one job is making sure we’re living and expanding that mission,” said CEO Kim Sonafelt. For Mainstay, the right partner meant: ➡️ Cultural alignment: a like-minded organization with shared values ➡️ Expanded opportunities: more career paths for staff and stronger services for clients ➡️ Sustainability: ensuring long-term stability in an unpredictable environment The affiliation wasn’t about giving up identity. Mainstay will remain Mainstay. Instead, the partnership creates room for innovation, shared resources, and new opportunities. Read the recap and watch the full session here: https://lnkd.in/ghXhMbiD #behavioralhealth #mergers

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When asked who Premise Health's new primary care-centered health plan is for, Premise Chief Strategy and Development Officer Derek Brochu answered simply, “It’s for anyone.” Watch as Derek breaks down why this novel approach to employer-sponsored health plans is fundamentally different: it is designed from the ground up to produce better outcomes and maximize the crucial investment that organizations across the nation are continuing to make in the health and wellness of their employees and their families. We’re excited to spearhead this initiative with Centivo because of our alignment on one singular purpose: to create a better solution to the healthcare equation that works for everyone. Catch the full conversation here: https://bit.ly/3GzUVga #HealthcareInnovation #AdvancedPrimaryCare #EmployeeBenefits

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