Los Angeles — L.A. Care Health Plan, the nation’s largest publicly operated health plan serving more than 2 million members, announced the appointment of Louise McCarthy as the chairperson of L.A. Care’s Board of Governors. She replaces Mark Gamble, who will remain a member of the Board. McCarthy currently serves as President and CEO of the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County (CCALAC), where she represents the interests of LA area community clinics and health centers, and those they serve.
“I am excited to work with the Board and leadership of L.A. Care as we pursue a common vision of healthy communities and a vibrant safety net to support them,” said McCarthy. “I look forward to building upon the partnership that we have fostered since the plan was founded 20 years ago. In uncertain times, it is only by working together that we can succeed.”
L.A. Care’s Board of Governors is a 13-member stakeholder board, which includes representatives of various stakeholder groups, including community clinics, doctors, plan members and the County of Los Angeles, among others. McCarthy represents non-profit Community Clinics and Health Centers.
“With all the uncertainty we are facing in the health care industry, it is a privilege to welcome a strong health advocate like Ms. McCarthy to lead our Board,” said L.A. Care CEO John Baackes. “Her wealth of experience and passion to serve the most vulnerable communities will be a tremendous asset for all our members.”
Prior to her role as president and CEO of CCALAC, McCarthy served as the organization’s director of governmental and external affairs. Before joining CCALAC, McCarthy was the assistant director of policy for the California Primary Care Association, where she worked on statewide legislative, regulatory and administrative issues impacting California’s community clinics and health centers.
McCarthy holds a Masters in Public Policy from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.