Leanne Berge Elected as Chair of ACAP Board of Directors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 14, 2025
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Van Ness, (202) 204-7515, jvanness@communityplans.net 

 

LEANNE BERGE ELECTED AS CHAIR OF ACAP BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

WASHINGTON and SEATTLE— The Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) today announced that Leanne Berge, Chief Executive Officer of Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW), has been elected as Chair of ACAP’s Board of Directors.  

Ms. Berge will serve through calendar year 2026. 

“Leanne is a proven leader with a career in health care spanning four decades.” said ACAP CEO Margaret A. Murray. “I am confident that her vision and guidance will ensure that the Association continues its longstanding commitment to strengthening our nation’s safety net. We look forward to her leadership for the next two years.” 

“I’m honored for the opportunity to serve ACAP’s membership, particularly at a time where the Medicaid program may be at an inflection point,” said Berge. “As Chair, I look forward to working alongside my fellow Safety Net Health Plan leaders as we continue our advocacy on behalf of the 30 million enrollees who rely on us for comprehensive health care. Safety Net Health Plans are mission-focused and put people first—that will continue to be our driving force as we head into 2025 and beyond.” 

Also elected to ACAP’s Board of Directors as officers are: 

  • Mark Rakowski, President, Chorus Community Health Plans, Vice Chair; 
  • Sylvia Kelly, CEO, Community Health Network of Connecticut, Secretary;  
  • Emma DeVito, CEO, VillageCareMAX, Treasurer; and 
  • Christopher D. Palmieri, CEO, Commonwealth Care Alliance, Former Chair 

Additional members include:  

  • Doug Wirth, CEO, Amida Care, Medicaid Policy Committee Chair;  
  • James Stringham, CEO, Banner Health Plans, Quality & Operations Committee Chair;  
  • Patrick Curran, CEO, Health Plan of San Mateo, Medicare Committee Chair;  
  • Peter Marino, CEO, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, Marketplace Policy Committee Chair; and 
  • Chad Westover, CEO, University of Utah Health Plans, Strategic Communications Committee Chair. 

They join ACAP at-large Board members Kathy Pettway, Senior Director, Priority Partners; and Eric Hunter, CEO, CareOregon. 

For more, visit communityplans.net. 

  

About ACAP:
ACAP represents 84 health plans, which collectively provide health coverage to more than 30 million people. Safety Net Health Plans serve their members through Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Marketplace and other publicly-sponsored health programs. For more information, visit communityplans.net.

About CHPW:
Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW) was founded more than 30 years ago by community health centers (CHCs) as a not-for-profit organization. Today, 21 CHCs operating approximately 200 clinics across Washington, are the governing body for CHPW and serve as the foundation for the plan’s primary care network. Together, we advance whole-person care and health equity for the Washington communities we serve, including more than 330,000 members in Medicaid (Apple Health), Medicare Advantage, and Individual & Family Plans. It is the only Washington Medicaid health plan headquartered in Washington State, and our local staff provide care and resources grounded in the communities we serve.  

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