Dr. LaShawn McIver named new CHEO at AHIP

Photo courtesy of AHIP

AHIP has named Dr. LaShawn McIver as its new chief health equity officer, effective immediately. The insurer group is framing the hire as part of its efforts to advance health equity.

McIver will lead AHIP's health equity initiatives, setting and driving strategies to improve health equity for underrepresented and medically underserved communities. She reports to Matt Eyles, AHIP president and CEO.

McIver, AHIP said, was hired with the commitment in mind that every American "deserves access to high-quality, affordable coverage and care, regardless of race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, geography, or other factors that affect access to care and health outcomes." 

WHAT'S THE IMPACT?

With more than 20 years of experience in the health equity realm, McIver comes to AHIP after serving as director of the Office of Minority Health at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

At CMS, she focused on developing initiatives and public policy to drive health equity for the 150 million Americans in Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP and the Health Insurance Marketplace. The CMS Office of Minority Health was awarded the 2022 Administrator's Achievement Award – the highest honor CMS employees can receive – for its establishment of the agency's health equity infrastructure during her tenure.

Prior to her role at CMS, McIver spent nine years leading government affairs and advocacy for the American Diabetes Association. She also served as the inaugural HIV/AIDS fellow for the Congressional Black Caucus' Center for Policy Analysis and Research and as a program director at the Baltimore City Health Department. 

McIver earned a medical degree in International Health and Medicine through the Medical School for International Health in Collaboration with Columbia University's Medical Center, and a master's degree of public health from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.

AHIP said it would continue "to work together with federal and state leaders, as well as with others across the healthcare ecosystem, to build on what's working for more equitable care."

THE LARGER TREND

There'll be further leadership shakeups at AHIP come October, when Eyles' resignation becomes official. The AHIP board of directors was informed of Eyles' personal decision and has accepted his resignation, effective October 2.

The executive committee of the AHIP board will commence a national search for Eyles' replacement, AHIP said. Eyles has led AHIP since 2018, after replacing CEO Marilyn Tavenner, the former acting administrator for CMS.

Recently, AHIP formed a coalition pushing to avoid lapses in coverage for people who may be dropped from the Medicaid program during the redetermination process.

ON THE RECORD

"Inequities and disparities continue to impact millions of Americans," said Eyles. "AHIP and our health insurance provider members have demonstrated a clear commitment to making health equity a part of everything we do, and with the addition of Dr. McIver to our leadership team, we are taking another important step in delivering on that priority. Too many Americans have faced persistent and detrimental health inequity for too long, and we must work to accelerate our efforts and close health equity gaps faster."

"Every day, we see stark reminders of the impact of inequities – in healthcare and beyond," said McIver. "I am driven by ensuring that health equity becomes a natural part of how we think about and deliver healthcare. That passion mirrors AHIP's mission and I'm honored to join an organization with such a powerful voice in healthcare to continue building a more equitable, resilient healthcare system."
 

Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: Jeff.Lagasse@himssmedia.com