What makes health care more affordable? For many, the answer starts far before someone walks into a doctor’s office or an emergency room. In this episode of the A Healthier Michigan Podcast, recorded live at the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference, leaders from across Michigan come together to explore how upstream investments — in behavioral health, nutrition and chronic disease prevention — can lower costs and create healthier communities.
Host Chuck Gaidica moderates an informative conversation featuring Tiffany Albert, Senior Vice President of Community Relations at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan; Jim Ananich, CEO of the Greater Flint Health Coalition; Neel Hajra, President and CEO of the Michigan Health Endowment Fund; and Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. Together, they unpack how partnerships between health insurers, nonprofits, public officials and local leaders are addressing the root causes of poor health — and improving affordability in the process.