What if healthcare wasn’t broken—but simply built wrong? In this episode of the Impact Healthcare Podcast, Lester Morales sits down with Rob Andrews, CEO of the Health Transformation Alliance and former U.S. Congressman, to explore how large employers are fixing healthcare—not through policy alone, but through bold action, cultural alignment, and smarter benefits design. Rob shares his personal “why,” rooted in his father’s death and the lessons that continue through his work today. Together, they dive into decades of insights from Rob’s leadership in both government and the private sector, including: The foundational flaws in fee-for-service and the urgent need for value-based care How self-funded employers are improving outcomes by aligning benefits with talent retention The true ROI of investing in navigators, virtual care, and benefit education Why personal accountability is key to improving health outcomes—and how incentives must evolve How major organizations like American Express retain talent through human-first healthcare design Creative strategies like 0 copays for engagement and charitable rewards for smart healthcare choices From policy debates like the MLR rule in the Affordable Care Act to real-world success stories—like a walking club that grew out of a doctor’s concern for her lonely patients—this episode challenges you to rethink what’s possible in employer healthcare. If you’re an employer, advisor, or HR leader ready to: Design benefits that actually improve lives Align healthcare spend with business and cultural goals Shift from reactive to proactive care models Create long-term impact beyond cost containment This episode is a masterclass in how to lead with vision, humanity, and strategy. Listen, take notes, and share this episode with someone who needs to stop waiting for the system to fix itself—and start doing something that works. Keywords: Rob Andrews, Health Transformation Alliance, value-based care, healthcare navigation, self-funded insurance, outcomes-based payment, healthcare cost control, employer healthcare strategy, employee benefits innovation, healthcare incentives, benefits design, personal accountability, primary care, employee retention, impact healthcare podcast, Lester Morales
