As an industry, we’ve been circling around the idea of value-based care for the past decade. But, did it ever occur to anyone to ask real people, the recipients of said care, what they thought or felt about that term? Turns out, they hate it. 

Through focus groups and a step-by-step methodology, Natalie Davis and her team at United States of Care are redefining value-based care and many other critical issues in healthcare. The new branding, “Patient First Care” doesn’t just come with a new logo and look; it’s the language that can help policymakers get the bills that support this financial framework passed. Imagine that…listening to people, taking their feedback seriously, and crafting legislation that reflects what matters to them. Sounds brilliant, doesn’t it?

Our guest today is Natalie Davis, the co-founder and CEO of United States of Care, a nonpartisan organization working to ensure everyone has access to quality, affordable health care. She has nearly two decades of experience shaping health policy, including serving at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services during the rollout of historic coverage expansions. She was recently recognized as one of Washingtonian’s “500 Most Influential People of 2025”