Barry Volin, MCRA CEO

As we close the chapter on 2024, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the challenges and advancements that define our healthcare ecosystem. If there’s one thing that we all agree on, it’s this: navigating the U.S. health system is anything but simple. Complex, highly regulated, and layered with evolving policies, it remains a daunting landscape for patients, providers, and solution vendors alike. Yet, within this complexity lies immense opportunity for innovation and collaboration—the foundation upon which the Managed Care Resource Alliance (MCRA) was built.

According to the 2024 Commonwealth Fund survey, "Mirror, Mirror 2024: A Portrait of the Failing U.S. Health System," the United States ranks last overall among high-income countries in five key performance measures: access to care, care processes, administrative efficiency, equity, and health outcomes. The only metric where we lead is cost—a sobering reality that underscores the urgent need for systemic reform.

Despite the best intentions of many organizations and vendors, a disconnect persists between proposed solutions and measurable outcomes. The healthcare industry is awash with promises of transformation, new marketing buzzwords, all seemingly doing what we have done times before with a new spin. Artificial Intelligence has emerged as a buzzword, touted as the magic key to solving systemic issues. However, let’s be clear: AI is a tool, not a panacea. All-in-all, how are we going to do something big, bold, and different to make the dramatic change that our healthcare system needs?

Additionally, we must confront the tendency to rely on superficial solutions. Simply layering on new features or latching onto the latest flashy marketing term doesn’t solve the underlying issues. Effective innovation demands a deeper understanding of the systemic problems and a concerted effort to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.

Entering its fourth year, MCRA is not just another advocacy group or think tank; it is a dynamic ecosystem of trusted vendors committed to meaningful collaboration. Our model is unique: each member specializes in a designated area, and together, we tackle industry challenges by sharing real-time insights and co-developing innovative solutions. By ensuring exclusivity within each specialty and safeguarding intellectual property through non-disclosure agreements, we foster an environment where open, creative dialogue thrives.

This collaborative approach enables us to address the root causes of healthcare inefficiencies, rather than merely treating the symptoms. Health plans are constantly evolving entities, shaped by regulatory shifts, internal changes, and process improvements. A static, one-size-fits-all solution cannot adapt to these dynamics. MCRA’s commitment to staying agile and informed ensures that our members’ solutions remain relevant and impactful.

This past year has been pivotal for MCRA. We have seen growth in both membership and industry presence, with more healthcare leaders engaging in our thought leadership initiatives, roundtables, and conferences. Perhaps most importantly, organic collaborations between our members have led to innovative solutions that are already making a measurable impact.

Our success hinges on the collaborative spirit and forward-thinking mindset of our members. Their willingness to share insights, challenge assumptions, and co-create solutions exemplifies the very best of what our industry has to offer. These efforts not only strengthen our alliance but also set a new standard for how healthcare leaders can work together to drive change.

As we enter 2025, MCRA's commitment to innovation and collaboration remains steadfast. We will continue to grow our membership with like-minded vendors who share our vision of measurable improvement across the industry. Our focus will be on deepening our collective understanding of the ever-changing healthcare landscape and leveraging that knowledge to develop solutions that truly make a difference.

The challenges ahead are significant, but so is our resolve. Together, we can transform complexity into clarity and create a healthcare system that works better for everyone.

Here’s to a future of collaboration, innovation, and measurable progress! –Barry and the MCRA organization