Greetings,

As we move into the final months of the year, healthcare leaders continue to balance rising costs, workforce pressures, regulatory complexity, and rapid advances in technology and AI. Across the industry, the challenge is not only to set the right priorities, but to execute initiatives that deliver measurable results while building organizations that can adapt to constant change.

As we celebrate Freed Associates’ 35-year anniversary, we reflect on the past three and a half decades of helping healthcare leaders navigate change, strengthen capabilities, and improve outcomes. We are grateful for the trust our clients place in us and are proud to partner with them to address complex challenges in healthcare. Earlier this month, we were again honored to be included on Fortune’s 100 Best Small Workplaces list, a distinction that reflects the dedication of our team to each other, to Freed, and to our clients.

In this edition of our newsletter, we explore how healthcare organizations can turn strategic investments into measurable outcomes, strengthen internal leadership capabilities, and work to address healthcare affordability. As leaders look ahead, the organizations best positioned for success will be those that combine disciplined execution with strong internal capabilities. 

As you prepare for the fourth-quarter sprint, take a moment to reflect on what your organization has accomplished so far this year. Few industries experience the pace of change, complexity, and responsibility that healthcare leaders navigate every day. While the challenges can be significant, so is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the patients, members, and communities we serve.

I wish you continued success and a strong finish to 2026.

Best,

Allie Freed
CEO

Point of View

How Coaching-Focused Consulting Builds Leaders, Not Just Solutions

Successful transformations often require more than project delivery. They require leaders who can sustain and expand the work after consultants leave. A coaching-focused consulting approach develops leadership capability alongside execution, helping organizations build stronger decision-makers, more confident leaders, and lasting organizational resilience. Discover how this approach can help healthcare organizations create results that endure.

Healing Healthcare

Tackling Healthcare Affordability in California

Healthcare affordability remains one of the most urgent challenges facing California employers, health plans, providers, and consumers. In this episode of Healing Healthcare, Beth Andersen, President of Anthem Blue Cross California Commercial Health Plans, shares practical strategies for improving affordability while maintaining quality and access. From value-based care and provider collaboration to member advocacy, payment integrity, and emerging AI-powered solutions, the discussion highlights how leaders can work together to create a more sustainable and consumer-friendly healthcare system.

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