CEO Message

June has been an exciting and productive month for HCTN, our member employers, and our stakeholder partners. On June 3^rd we held the Nashville Regional Conference – our most insightful and successful conference yet! The feedback from our pre-conference session with employers led by the Peterson Health Technology Institute got very high marks from employer attendees. We published our 2025 Annual Report (CHECK IT OUT HERE) and launched our new web site (CLICK HERE). In summary, HCTN positioned themselves as the bellwether organization in Tennessee that unites leading employers to accelerate healthcare value, improve the health of Tennesseans, and drive healthcare affordability.

Many of you will ask “what’s a bellwether?” A bellwether is someone or something that takes the lead, sets a trend; a pioneer or pacesetter. The word comes from an old shepherding practice where the shepherd would attach a bell around the neck of a castrated (ouch!) ram (called a wether) that was trained to lead the rest of the flock. By listening to the bell, the flock would naturally follow the leader! HCTN employer members are the bellwethers that are leading the way in Tennessee toward a value-based healthcare market. EMPLOYERS IN TENNESSEE – become part of the movement and join your peers by becoming a member of HCTN. To learn more about membership, message us at info@hctnonevoice.org. The time has never been better!   

Phil Belcher

WHOLE PERSON

HEALTH

Effective Primary Care: A Foundation for Better Health and Lower Costs

A recent report from the American Hospital Association (AHA), Making Healthcare More Affordable, highlights a growing national consensus: improving access to primary care and preventive services is essential to achieving better health outcomes, enhanced affordability, and higher-quality care. The report identifies primary care as a critical component of a sustainable healthcare system, helping individuals address health concerns earlier, manage chronic conditions more effectively, and avoid costly complications and hospitalizations.

This aligns closely with HealthCareTN's Effective Primary Care (EPC) Initiative, which is helping Tennessee employers better understand and evaluate innovative primary care models that improve access, quality, and value for their workforce. Through employer education, peer learning opportunities, data-driven analysis, and engagement with leading primary care organizations, HCTN is working to equip employers with the tools and strategies needed to strengthen primary care access for employees and their families. As healthcare costs continue to rise, investing in effective primary care remains one of the most promising opportunities to improve employee health while creating a more affordable and sustainable healthcare system.

INNOVATION & DISRUPTORS

HCTN Hosts Innovators and Disruptors at June 3rd Nashville Meeting

On June 3, HCTN brought together more than 120 employers and healthcare stakeholders at Belmont University for its 2026 Nashville regional conference. Presentations challenged the status quo on network design, care navigation, care delivery, and high-cost specialty drugs.

A standout moment: Dan Mendelson, CEO of Morgan Health, made the case for self-funded employers to import proven Medicare and Medicaid strategies—including value-based payment models—into the commercial market. He also spotlighted a significant growth opportunity in underserved small and mid-sized employer groups.

Couldn't make it? HCTN will release a "best of" conference video next month. Until then, catch the short overview below.

COST & QUALITY CORNER

Are PBMs Really Going to Give Employers What They Want? And Will That Really Lower Rx Costs?

A recent Penta Group survey — commissioned by Evernorth, Cigna's parent company of Express Scripts (ESI)— found that 92% of employers believe a rebate-free model would benefit both plan sponsors and consumers. Following the FTC settlement that forced ESI to overhaul its business practices, ESI and OptumRx have both announced "transparent" pricing models.

Employers should remain skeptical. The changes ESI agreed to were largely things they claimed to already be doing. Markets didn't react — suggesting Wall Street sees this as business as usual. Rebate-free models have also historically spreadsheet poorly against traditional models when employers run the numbers.

HealthCareTN’s assessment: proceed with caution. Don't go it alone. As a coalition, we're better positioned to hold PBMs accountable to their commitments. Coalition strength is our advantage — let's use it.

Express Scripts & PCMA Challenge Tennessee's Pharmacy Ownership Law

Express Scripts (ESI) and the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) have filed suit in Tennessee, joining CVS in challenging the recently passed pharmacy ownership law. ESI's complaint highlights the potential closure of its Accredo specialty pharmacy facility in Memphis, along with the risk of pharmacy deserts in rural communities — unintended consequences that could disrupt the specialty Rx supply chain statewide.

HealthCareTN employer members opposed this legislation from the start, citing across-the-board cost increases for employers. The legal pushback was anticipated and mirrored the response in Arkansas when PBMs faced identical challenges.

HCTN will continue tracking this issue and creating opportunities for employers to make their voices heard at the legislative level.

HCTN is excited to welcome Williamson County Goverment as our newest employer member!

HCTN EVENTS