Affordability, artificial intelligence, and workforce challenges continue to dominate conversations across the healthcare industry. During a recent appearance on the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast, HLC President and CEO Maria Ghazal shared her perspective on these critical issues, and the role healthcare leaders must play in shaping policy solutions.
During the episode, Ghazal highlighted HLC’s unique role as the only organization that brings together leaders from every major sector of healthcare, including hospitals, health plans, pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and health technology firms. For nearly four decades, HLC has served as a trusted voice in Washington, convening diverse stakeholders and engaging policymakers on the most pressing challenges facing the healthcare system.
With this unique vantage point in mind, Ghazal identified affordability as a top priority, emphasizing the need to deliver better outcomes at lower costs through innovation, value-based care, prevention, and operational improvements. She also discussed the growing impact of AI, noting that this technology has moved beyond a future-focused concept and is now delivering practical benefits across the care continuum, from reducing administrative burdens to accelerating drug discovery and improving clinical decision-making.
At the same time, Ghazal stressed that responsible AI adoption will require trust, transparency, and appropriate safeguards. She also pointed to workforce shortages as a significant challenge requiring collaboration between private-sector leaders and policymakers to ensure the healthcare system can meet the needs of a growing and aging population.
Looking ahead, Ghazal encouraged healthcare leaders to remain actively engaged in the policy process.
“Healthcare’s biggest challenges…they just don’t neatly fit into one sector. If we’re going to be able to address issues like affordability, the workforce shortages, how to use AI, or how to protect ourselves from cybersecurity challenges – all of these issues require collaboration across the healthcare continuum. So, if you’re not engaged in a broader way, you should be.”
To listen to the full conversation, CLICK HERE.
