From politicians and policymakers on both sides of the health care debate, to leading figures within the industry, to market disruptors intent on transforming delivery, there's no shortage of provocative people listed on Modern Healthcare's 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare 2019. "If you are trying to make real, lasting, consequential changes to the healthcare system -- changes that will actually help patients -- you'll never make everyone happy," says this year's top ranked influencer: Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Related: CMS's Verma comes to the ACA marketplace's defense Verma sees her role as "a needed truth-teller and champion for patients making choices in a free market," Modern Healthcare writes. "For too long, the health system has catered to the demands of special interests and left patients as an afterthought," Verma tells the magazine. "We are trying to flip that on its head and restore patients to their rightful place at the center of American health care." Each year the magazine honors individuals in health care who are deemed by their peers and the senior editors of to be "the most influential individuals in the industry, in terms of leadership and impact." The awards contest allows for readers to vote for their top choices, from a ballot comprising roughly 300 names chosen from nominations. Judging for the final ranking of the 100 Most Influential was based on readers' votes as well as input from the senior editors of Modern Healthcare – with the editors making the final determinations on the ballot. Winners come from all sectors of the healthcare industry, including senior-level executives; high-level government administrators and executives; elected officials; academics and "thought-leaders." Check out the top 10 most influential people in health care on Modern Healthcare's list in the slideshow above. Read more: |

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