The Bay Area Council’s Healthcare Committee is a diverse group representing the region’s premier providers, payers, and large employers from across industry. Its unique composition allows it to tackle issues that are otherwise traditionally ignored by single-interest groups. The Committee has a long history working hand-in-hand with policymakers on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act in California and beyond, and has always championed high-quality, affordable care; a diverse and well-trained workforce; and universal coverage.
Priorities for 2026
Affordability – Rising healthcare costs effect every aspect of the economy, including individuals and families across the income spectrum. We focus on pragmatic solutions to lower the cost of coverage and care, reducing the burden on both employers and families across the region.
Workforce – California faces critical provider shortages, particularly in under-served rural and urban communities. In the Bay Area, the most acute shortages are in behavioral health, nursing, and allied health professions. Together with the Council’s Workforce of the Future Committee, we’re committed to building a diverse workforce to meet the needs of all our residents.
Coverage – While federal law guarantees access to emergency stabilization, we believe our health care system has a moral imperative to ensure everyone has access to comprehensive care. Access to regular primary care is proven to improve health outcomes and reduce the need for higher-cost interventions later. Universal coverage remains the cornerstone of a well-designed health care system, and we remain committed to building a system that ensures meaningful access and high-quality care for all.
Automation and AI – Artificial intelligence holds the potential to transform health care delivery in California. While innovations ranging from ambient scribing and patient outreach to advanced screening and clinical tools offer promise, their presence alone does not guarantee progress. To deliver improvement system wide, AI must be implemented responsibly and equitably.
Initiative: Making Proposition 1 Work (2023-2025)
Two years ago, Governor Newsom announced a proposal to make sweeping changes to how California treats mental illness, substance abuse, and homelessness. That proposal went to voters as Proposition 1 in March of 2024, narrowly winning approval.
Aggressive state action is essential in addressing the mental health crisis so often playing out on California’s streets. However, like the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the success of Proposition 1 will be dependent upon participation from stakeholders from across the state, including the business community.
After a year of interviews with State leaders, policy experts, and advocates, this spring together with the California Health Care Foundation, the Committee hosted a first-of-its-kind regional convening focused on ensuring the successful implementation of Proposition 1. Led by Sutter Health’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. William Isenberg and Founder and CEO of DignityMoves Elizabeth Funk, the convening featured behavioral health leads from six of the nine Bay Area counties, Kaiser, Sutter, and Stanford Health, along with regional housing and homelessness experts. Throughout the robust discussion participants highlighted the multitude of ways success will depend not only on regional cooperation, but crucially cooperation between the public and private sectors.
Healthcare Committee Leadership
- William Isenberg, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Sutter Health
- Mike Bowers, President Northern California, Kaiser Permanente
- Kara Carter, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Programs, California Health Care Foundation
Get Involved
The Healthcare Committee is open to all Bay Area Council members. To find our committee meetings and other events check out our upcoming events calendar. For more information, contact Vice President Patrick Kallerman (pkallerman@bayareacouncil.org).
