Recorded live in Chicago before an audience of HC3 members and partners, this episode marks the second installment of Season 3 and features highlights from HC3’s Q2 Summit: Strengthening the Front Lines of Behavioral Health. As mental health continues to take center stage in national and local discourse, this timely convening brought together leaders across health care, government, and social services to address a critical challenge: building and sustaining a strong behavioral health workforce.

The conversation explores how targeted investments in people, policy, and practice can address persistent workforce shortages and dismantle systemic barriers to care. A major moment in the episode is the debut of the Illinois Mental Health Parity Index (MHPI)—a groundbreaking tool developed by The Kennedy Forum and Third Horizon with support from the American Medical Association. By leveraging new health plan transparency data, the MHPI reveals disparities in commercial insurance reimbursement and network adequacy, offering an unprecedented opportunity for transparency, accountability, and reform.

RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE

Full Event Recap and Video available here

Mental Health Parity Index: https://www.parityindex.org/

Mental Health Parity Index Press Release here

Sista Afya Community Care (SACC) (www.sistaafya.org)

Open Roads Behavioral Health (www.asafehaven.org)

Chicago Integrated Health (www.chicagointegratedhealth.com)

Collaborative Bridges (www.collaborativebridgeschicago.org)

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HC3 Playlist via Third Horizon YouTube Here

www.thirdhorizon.co

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For more information about events and other updates on the work of HC3, visit www.HC3.Health.

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In this first episode of the HC3 podcast in 2025, listeners are drawn into one of Chicago’s most urgent health care conversations. Meghan Phillipp, Executive Director of HC3 and VP of Community Impact at Third Horizon, shares opening remarks and welcomes Illinois State Representative Lindsey LaPointe. Representative LaPointe vividly depicts the crisis, emphasizing the state’s commitment to supporting safety net providers while warning of the threats to equitable healthcare access.

The heart of the episode is the keynote address from David Smith, Founder and CEO of Third Horizon and Co-Founder of HC3. In "Navigating the Challenging Future of Chicago’s Medical Safety Net," he merges data-driven insights with a bold vision, outlining collaborative strategies for resilience and a sustainable health care future.

The conversation intensifies with a robust panel discussion, "Building Resilience and Driving Change for Chicago's Medical Safety Net," where Brenda Battle of UChicago Medicine, Dr. James Brooks of Lawndale Christian Health Center, Rushil Desai of Aetna Better Health of Illinois, and Mark Ishaug of Thresholds engage in a thought-provoking exchange. Moderated by David Smith, the dialogue delves into solutions to systemic barriers and pathways to equitable, sustainable care.

The episode concludes with a resounding call to action, urging listeners to join the movement. Securing the future of Chicago’s medical safety net is not a solitary endeavor—it is a shared mission that demands collective commitment and urgency.

Beyond a "Call To Action": A digital copy of the 1-pager distributed at the summit and referenced during the keynote is available here.

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HC3 Playlist via Third Horizon YouTube Here

This episode of the HC3 podcast is brought to you by Third Horizon. HC3 is administratively and strategically managed as an initiative of Third Horizon Strategies. Third Horizon is a Chicago-based but nationally present boutique advisory firm focused on shaping the future state of health care. www.thirdhorizon.co

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For more information about events and other updates on the work of HC3, visit www.HC3.Health.

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Part 2: Fireside Chat on "The Coming Healthcare Revolution"

David Smith engages in an insightful conversation with author David Johnson about his new book, The Coming Healthcare Revolution. Johnson explores how market pressures and technological advancements are driving unprecedented transformation in health care. The discussion draws historical parallels to current challenges, highlights recent events signaling public frustration, and examines the roles of government, markets, and innovation in shaping a more sustainable, patient-centered future. Johnson's vision offers both a critical analysis of the industry's state and an optimistic roadmap for meaningful reform.

This two-part conversation, recorded live in Chicago on December 10, delivers a comprehensive exploration of health care's present and future, featuring diverse perspectives and actionable insights tailored for health care professionals, policymakers, and innovators.

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