Feb 25, 2025

A coalition of leading private capital investors in America's healthcare system has launched the Association for Responsible Healthcare Investment (ARHI). The coalition is committed to promoting responsible private investment in healthcare that enhances patient care, strengthens the healthcare system, and upholds the highest ethical standards. ARHI will showcase the positive impact of private capital in American healthcare to policymakers, media, key stakeholders, and the broader public. The coalition aims to establish a sustainable framework for private investment in healthcare that prioritizes accountability, promotes innovation, and enhances access to care. By driving responsible practices and engaging in advocacy, the coalition seeks to strengthen the healthcare system for patients, communities, and providers. Regan Parker will serve as ARHI's Chief Executive Officer. She currently serves as Chief Legal and Public Affairs Officer at ShiftKey, the largest technology marketplace for independent professionals in the healthcare industry today. “We need a strong, unified voice that is committed to providing better care for patients, building a better healthcare system, and upholding the highest ethical standards,” said Parker. “As private capital investment is becoming an increasingly critical foundation of today's healthcare ecosystem, policymakers are starting to take notice. Bad actors and exploitative practices must stop and cannot undermine the positive private capital investments that are a force for good, creating a healthier society and a stronger, more accessible healthcare system. Our goal is to promote the highest standards, demonstrate how responsible private capital is a vital asset to healthcare that benefits patients and communities, and establish a sustainable framework that prioritizes accountability and better access to care.” Eric Hargan will serve as a Co-Chair of ARHI. Hargan previously served as Acting Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and on the Board of Operation Warp Speed, helping to develop the project and coordinate HHS agencies. “As private capital investment continues to play an increasingly integral role in shaping the future of our healthcare system, it is critical that private sector leaders and policymakers work together towards high standards that deliver the best outcomes for patients,” said Hargan. “I am excited to work together with private capital investors and policymakers towards a stronger, healthier, higher quality, more innovative, and more accessible system.” David Berman, a founding member of ARHI and Managing Partner at Lorient Capital, emphasized the importance of responsible investment in healthcare: "The healthcare investment community must take the lead in setting clear standards for ethical, transparent, and patient-focused investment. ARHI is committed to proactive governance and partnering with regulators to ensure capital is deployed responsibly by supporting innovation, expanding access, and strengthening healthcare for the long term. By holding ourselves accountable, we can be a catalyst for fixing a fragmented and inefficient healthcare system in a way that doesn't rely on increased government spending or higher taxpayer burdens, ensuring private capital drives meaningful, lasting improvements for patients and providers alike." Responsible private capital investment is a critical foundation of today's healthcare system. ARHI will showcase how private capital investments are transforming healthcare by: Ensuring the delivery of affordable, accessible, and sustainable health services close to home in local communities across America. Modernizing medical practices, allowing doctors and other healthcare professionals to remain independent from vertical integration if they wish and focused on patient care. Allowing centralization of ever-increasing and complex administrative, legal, and regulatory requirements to alleviate the demands placed on individual healthcare innovators, providers, and systems. Providing much-needed funds to advance the discovery and commercialization of new treatments and technologies to improve the health of all Americans. Creating patient access. Patients in countless rural and urban communities already suffer from limited availability of providers and operational facilities and would lose even more access to critical healthcare services without private capital. Supporting the growth of new technologies, streamlined delivery, and quality care for patients across urban, rural, and underserved communities. Boosting innovation. Without private capital, there would be far less funding available for research and development related to new innovative drugs and treatments. ARHI'S Core Principles ARHI is committed to promoting responsible private investment in healthcare that enhances patient care, strengthens the healthcare system, and upholds the highest ethical standards. These principles serve as a framework for ARHI members and demonstrate the coalition's dedication to addressing criticism and ensuring that private investment is a force for good in healthcare. ARHI is launching on the foundation of the following core principles: Patient-Centered Care: ARHI prioritizes patient well-being above all else. ARHI member investments enhance access, improve health outcomes, and support providers in delivering high-quality, compassionate care to all patients, especially in underserved and rural areas. Disparities and Access: ARHI prioritizes investments that reduce health disparities and promote better access to care for all populations, regardless of socioeconomic status, geography, or other barriers. Transparency and Accountability: ARHI is committed to transparency in ownership and operations. ARHI member investors provide clear information about governance structures, financial and management practices, and the impact of their investments on patient care and community health. Ethical Business Practices: Private investment in healthcare should adhere to the highest ethical standards. ARHI members do not engage in exploitative practices such as unnecessary billing to payors or limiting patient care options. ARHI promotes responsible business models that align with long-term sustainability and public trust. Independence of Clinical Decision-Making: ARHI believes physicians and healthcare providers must retain autonomy in clinical decision-making. Investments should empower providers to focus on delivering accepted standards of care, free from undue influence by financial interests. Commitment to Workforce Development: ARHI member investments foster more positive work environments for healthcare professionals by supporting fair compensation, training opportunities, and measures to address workforce shortages and burnout. Promotion of Innovation and Technology: ARHI member investments drive innovation in healthcare, enabling the development and deployment of transformative technologies, therapies, and care delivery models that improve patient outcomes and system efficiency. Long-Term Value Creation: ARHI member investments create sustainable value for patients, providers, and communities. This includes support for healthcare organizations in maintaining financial stability and adapting to the evolving needs of the healthcare system. Regulatory Compliance and Good Governance: ARHI members are in strict compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. ARHI members are committed to strong governance practices, including ethical leadership and accountability mechanisms to ensure responsible decision-making. Collaboration with Stakeholders: ARHI believes in fostering collaboration between investors, providers, policymakers, and communities to ensure that private investment in healthcare aligns with the broader goals of a healthier, more resilient society. For more details about ARHI, please visit: https://investinhealthcare.org/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250225459051/en/ Contacts Regan Parker CEO Association for Responsible Healthcare Investment regan@investinhealthcare.org