NBCH Names Health Care Analyst and Commentator Brian Klepper New CEO

WASHINGTON – March 7, 2014 – The National Business Coalition on Health (NBCH), representing 52 coalitions, 7,000 employers and 25 million employees and their families, is delighted to announce its selection of Brian Klepper, PhD, as CEO, effective March 10. Dr. Klepper is a health care analyst, commentator and entrepreneur who has focused on the mechanisms that underlie America’s health care cost crisis. His perspectives favor patients, whose medical care often exposes them to needless physical risk, and purchasers, whose health care costs are double those in other developed nations, creating a cascade of negative economic impacts.

“We all know that health care is out of control, with many opaque practices that drive inappropriate care and cost, but much of American business has not yet confronted its gravity.” said Klepper. “Unnecessary health care cost is displacing support of other critical needs, robbing American families of economic growth and hindering US business’ global competitiveness. The health care industry represents almost one dollar in five in the US economy, and has tremendous control over both markets and policy.”

“Only non-health care business is larger and more influential. NBCH represents a hugely powerful opportunity to leverage the health benefits purchasing power of employers and unions to make health care more accountable, higher quality, safer and more affordable. NBCH will work closely with business health coalitions and like-minded stakeholders around the country in ways that benefit patients, purchasers, the larger health system’s sustainability and the nation.”

Susan Szymanski, Chair of NBCH’s Board of Governors, agrees. “We are very excited that Brian will be at NBCH’s helm. His clear focus and wide-ranging knowledge about health care clinical and business practice is the right mix of talents for NBCH at this time, as business leaders acknowledge that health care must be more meaningfully addressed. He’ll work collaboratively with health care professionals and organizations, while encouraging change that can bring health care back into balance.”

About the National Business Coalition on Health

NBCH is a national, non-profit, membership organization of purchaser-led business and health coalitions, representing over 7,000 employers and 25 million employees and their dependents across the United States. NBCH and its members are dedicated to value-based purchasing of health care services through the collective action of public and private purchasers. For additional information visit: www.nbch.org or follow us on Twitter: @nbch.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information, a high res photo of Dr. Klepper, or to schedule an interview, please contact Cary Conway at cconway@nbch.org, 972.731.9242.