In this special policy-focused episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, co-hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan welcome back three powerhouse experts to help us navigate the urgent challenges facing hospital HR leaders today:

🔹 Peggy Tighe, healthcare policy advisor and Principal at Powers Law
🔹 Sarah Hearn, SVP of Strategic Partnerships at RxBenefits
🔹 Rhiannon Klein, 340B strategist and advocate for hospital sustainability

From Capitol Hill to your health system’s bottom line, this episode unpacks the Medicaid policy battles, looming 340B cuts, and why healthcare HR leaders need to be paying close attention.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🏛️ What’s Happening on the Hill
Peggy Tighe gives us a front-row seat to the debate over Congress’ proposed “One Big Beautiful Bill”, a sweeping Medicaid overhaul that could dramatically increase eligibility verification, impose new work requirements, and put a major strain on hospitals, particularly those serving vulnerable populations.

💊 Why 340B is Under Threat
Our panel breaks down how 340B drug pricing programs are directly tied to Medicaid policy and what that means for hospitals, rural providers, and physician groups. With drug costs now making up 9–10% of hospital expenses, protecting 340B is mission critical.

👩‍⚕️ Why HR Must Get Involved
This is no longer just a pharmacy or finance issue. HR leaders are being called to the table as operational partners; ones who understand policy, cost structures, and how to protect resources that directly impact workforce wellbeing.

💡 Key Takeaways for HR Leaders:

• Learn the language: If you're not familiar with 340B, it's time to get educated.
• Collaborate across departments: Pharmacy and HR must work together to optimize savings and care delivery.
• Advocate with confidence: Engage your state and federal policymakers to preserve critical funding streams.

✨ Bright Spots & Strategic Moves:

• In-house pharmacy models are gaining traction.
• Community partnerships, from correctional facilities to local businesses, are opening new access points.
• Regional advocacy groups like CV340B offer practical education and peer networking.

📢 Quote to Remember:
"HR leaders influence 65% of a hospital’s costs. Your voice at the policy table isn’t just welcome... it’s necessary."

🎧 Listen Now to gain the insights, action steps, and real-world strategies you need to protect your workforce, your hospital, and your community.

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Contact RxBenefits today to learn more: https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN

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On this episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, we're joined by Clara Blitch, Chief Human Resources Officer at Williamson Health, who returns to sharing the incredible journey of transforming a 60-year-old HR function into a modern, data-driven, people-first department, all without sacrificing the soul of the organization.

💡 Clara’s mission? Modernize every corner of HR, from payroll systems and compensation structures to leadership development and HR technology, while staying true to the values that make healthcare human.

🎙️ In this conversation with co-hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan, you’ll hear:

🔹 How to lead digital transformation in HR
Clara walks us through the challenges and triumphs of transitioning from outdated systems like Meditech to cloud-based platforms like ADP Lyric, empowering HR to make data-informed decisions that drive impact.

🔹 Redefining the HR Business Partner model
Why Clara shifted from a traditional generalist structure to a strategic HRBP model that enhances leadership support, builds trust, and improves service delivery across Williamson Health.

🔹 Why empathy still matters in a digital age
As AI reshapes talent acquisition and HR service centers, Clara makes a powerful case for preserving human connection, arguing that no bot can replace real empathy, especially when employees face life’s most personal moments.

🔹 The “Ideal Team Player” framework in action
Clara reveals how she revitalized her HR team using Patrick Lencioni’s “Humble, Hungry, Smart” model, embedding these traits into hiring, performance evaluations, and leadership development.

🔹 Leadership development doesn’t have to be complicated
From book clubs to self-assessments, Clara’s refreshingly simple strategies make leadership growth accessible… and fun, for every level of the organization.

💬 Memorable quote:
“There’s a leadership lesson in everything. The key is staying self-aware and committed to your team’s success, even on the tough days.”

Whether you're leading transformation, building culture, or navigating change in your organization, Clara’s insights are a masterclass in how to modernize healthcare HR with heart, strategy, and bold leadership.

📍 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform and don’t forget to share this episode with your HR network.

From our sponsors...

Unlock Pharmacy Plan Potential!

Your employees expect top-tier medical benefits, like comprehensive care access. But how can you balance these expectations against rising costs, across your full benefits portfolio? Did you know that hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions each year than other industries? How can you tell if all those prescriptions were needed, or if you could have had significant cost savings by filling at your own hospital pharmacies?

Contact RxBenefits today to learn more: https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN

Simplify screening, credentialing & compliance with oneBADGEhealthcare from ISB Global. Built for healthcare HR leaders. Learn more & get started here: https://isbglobalservices.com/onebadgeunitedstates/ashhra/

Support the show

This week on The ASHHRA Podcast, hosts Luke Carignan and Bo Brabo welcome Rhonda Hall, Chief Human Resources Officer for Southern California at Providence, to the mic. With a rich background in organizational development, change management, and performance excellence across highly regulated industries—from nuclear energy to healthcare—Rhonda brings a fresh, strategic lens to healthcare HR leadership.

🎧 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🧭 Why Words Matter in Workforce Culture
At Providence, all employees are referred to as caregivers—a conscious shift in language that builds identity, mission alignment, and a sense of belonging at every level.

📊 From Tactical to Strategic: The Evolution of the CHRO Role
Rhonda reflects on how the role of the CHRO has evolved from rule enforcer to systems thinker, change architect, and strategic advisor to the CEO. Her insight will inspire any HR leader preparing for the next step in their career.

🌟 Hire With Purpose, Coach With Consistency
Rhonda explains that behavior alignment starts at the point of hiring—bringing in people whose “why” aligns with your mission. From there, consistent coaching grounded in organizational values builds a culture that sustains itself.

🧠 Mentorship, Feedback & Self-Awareness
To get on a CHRO’s radar, Rhonda advises emerging leaders to bring thoughtful ideas, take initiative, and actively seek feedback from trusted advisors. She also shares why HR professionals must champion system alignment across hiring, goal-setting, and rewards.

🔥 Courage Over Chain of Command
In a bold take, Rhonda encourages HR professionals to break the old mold—don’t fear skip-level conversations. Leaders who block access to mentorship do more harm than good. If you can’t grow where you are, it might be time to move on.

💬 Quote to Remember:

"If you're the person taking care of the person who takes care of the patient—you are taking care of the patient."

If you’re an aspiring CHRO, mid-career HR pro, or just someone trying to lead with more purpose and alignment, this episode is a masterclass in healthcare HR leadership.

📱 Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

From our sponsors...

Unlock Pharmacy Plan Potential!

Your employees expect top-tier medical benefits, like comprehensive care access. But how can you balance these expectations against rising costs, across your full benefits portfolio? Did you know that hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions each year than other industries? How can you tell if all those prescriptions were needed, or if you could have had significant cost savings by filling at your own hospital pharmacies?

Contact RxBenefits today to learn more: https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN

Simplify screening, credentialing & compliance with oneBADGEhealthcare from ISB Global. Built for healthcare HR leaders. Learn more & get started here: https://isbglobalservices.com/onebadgeunitedstates/ashhra/

Support the show