Professional. Polished. Accomplished. Thoughtful. Made It. Ready to Make It. “Inspiring Women” is an interview show hosted by Laurie McGraw. 30 years of leadership in both commercial companies and non-profits has taught Laurie one thing: Women need women. Women need Inspiring Women. Hear short-form interviews every week from Inspiring Women who are at the pinnacle of their careers and Inspired Women who are just starting out.
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Professional. Polished. Accomplished. Thoughtful. Made It. Ready to Make It. “Inspiring Women” is an interview show hosted by Laurie McGraw. 30 years of leadership in both commercial companies and non-profits has taught Laurie one thing: Women need women. Women need Inspiring Women. Hear short-form interviews every week from Inspiring Women who are at the pinnacle of their careers and Inspired Women who are just starting out.
From Counting Clicks to Shaping AI Policy: Inside Healthcare's Policy Powerhouses || EP.217
Inspiring Women with Laurie McGraw
30 minutes
2 months ago
From Counting Clicks to Shaping AI Policy: Inside Healthcare's Policy Powerhouses || EP.217
"I bleed purple at work. I don't bleed Republican red or Democrat blue—I bleed purple, the color of my company."
When two of healthcare technology's most influential policy voices join forces, you get the unvarnished truth about how healthcare transformation really happens in Washington and beyond.
Leigh Burchell (VP Policy and Public Affairs at Altera Digital Health) and Leslie Krigstein (VP Communication & Government Affairs at Transcarent) have spent decades translating between Silicon Valley innovation and Capitol Hill regulation. Their combined influence has shaped everything from meaningful use to digital health adoption.
In this revealing episode, Leigh and Leslie discuss:
Why they're still counting clicks in 2025
Humanizing corporate interests while maintaining credibility
The delicate dance between innovation and regulation in the age of AI
Why "pledges" are back under Trump 2.0
How consumerization is revolutionizing healthcare
Being "the sharpest person in the room" while staying honest
"Every policy maker wants to talk about digital health," Leigh notes. "It's massively exploding at the state level too."
With AI "bullet training down the tracks," both women navigate the balance between enabling innovation and avoiding regulation that could "cut us off at the knees."
Their secret to influence? Collaboration and genuine relationships.
"We all want the same thing. People can sense that, so we hold hands and run in the same direction," says Leigh.
Leslie adds: "There are lasting relationships with folks on Capitol Hill that started with simple coffee."
Both have stood up to CEOs, defended patient interests over profits, and maintained integrity when commercial pressures mounted.
For aspiring policy influencers: Be an advocate in all facets of life. Find your passion. Build trust through honesty.
Chapters
03:45 - From Hill to Healthcare Tech: Finding Your Policy Passion
06:29 - Making Complex Policy Personal for Lawmakers
10:06 - Bleeding Purple: Navigating Bipartisan Corporate Advocacy
13:16 - The Deregulation Cycle and State-Level Explosion
15:00 - AI and the Consumerization Revolution in Healthcare
21:44 - Building Collaborative Networks for Policy Impact
24:42 - The Power of Being the Trusted Expert in the Room
29:20 - Finding Passion in Policy: Career Advice for Advocates
Guest & Host Links
Connect with Laurie McGraw on LinkedIn
Connect with Leigh Burchell on LinkedIn
Connect with Leslie Krigstein on LinkedIn
Connect with Inspiring Women
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Inspiring Women with Laurie McGraw
Professional. Polished. Accomplished. Thoughtful. Made It. Ready to Make It. “Inspiring Women” is an interview show hosted by Laurie McGraw. 30 years of leadership in both commercial companies and non-profits has taught Laurie one thing: Women need women. Women need Inspiring Women. Hear short-form interviews every week from Inspiring Women who are at the pinnacle of their careers and Inspired Women who are just starting out.
