The PA Chamber recently took a significant step toward fostering greater collaboration within the Commonwealth’s health care employer community with the launch of its new Health Care Council.

Dozens of representatives from Pennsylvania health care providers, insurers, manufacturers, and advocates gathered at the PA Chamber’s offices for the inaugural meeting last Tuesday, discussing strategies for increasing cooperation to improve health outcomes in the state.

Council members heard remarks from state Senate Health Committee Chair Sen. Michelle Brooks (R- Mercer) and Shapiro administration Deputy Chief of Staff for Health and Human Services Lindsey Mauldin, who shared details on various initiatives currently underway in the legislative and executive branches of state government.

Health care represents a key pillar of Pennsylvania’s economy, contributing significantly to both employment and economic growth. With over 700,000 health care-related jobs, it is one of the state’s largest and most robust industries. Additionally, the health care sector generates billions in economic output each year, playing a vital role in sustaining local communities and fostering economic stability.

Recognizing this, the PA Chamber’s new Health Care Council aims to unite the diverse array of employers across this sector and identify avenues for greater cooperation on policy matters focused on improving outcomes for patients and reducing costs in the system. This newly established group will play a crucial role in advising the PA Chamber on policy direction and advocacy efforts related to health care and support for policies to bolster the industry’s success within the Commonwealth.