CHC Taps Policy Heavyweight Edo Banach for National Board

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – April 13, 2026 – CHC: Creating Healthier Communities has unanimously elected renowned healthcare policy and regulatory expert Edo Banach to its national board of directors, a strategic move poised to significantly amplify the organization's influence on systemic health reform. The appointment brings a veteran of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), national advocacy leadership, and top-tier law practice into the fold of a nonprofit dedicated to dismantling health barriers at the community level.

A Strategic Infusion of Policy Expertise

Edo Banach’s extensive career has positioned him at the nexus of healthcare law, policy, and practice. Currently a Partner and Co-Chair of the Healthcare Department at the prestigious law firm Foley Hoag LLP, he is a leading authority on Medicare and Medicaid law, with deep expertise in long-term and post-acute care sectors. His work involves guiding healthcare organizations through the labyrinthine regulations that govern federal health programs.

This legal acumen is built on a foundation of high-level government service and nonprofit leadership. Banach previously served as President and CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), where he was a prominent voice advocating for person-centered care before Congress, the White House, and federal agencies. Perhaps most critically for CHC’s mission, he was the Deputy Director of the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office at CMS, where he was instrumental in developing innovative models to integrate care for individuals dually eligible for both programs—often the most vulnerable and complex patients in the system.

CHC’s leadership has underscored the immediate value of this unique background. "We are thrilled to welcome Edo to our board," said Abu Arif, Chair of the CHC Board of Directors. "His distinguished leadership across Medicare, Medicaid, and hospice care paired with a deep understanding of how policy shapes people's lived experiences will be instrumental as CHC works to close health gaps and expand opportunity in communities nationwide."

This sentiment was echoed by CHC's President and CEO, Jean Accius, PhD. "Edo's breadth of experience will strengthen CHC's ability to address today's most pressing challenges in community health," Accius stated. "His leadership at the intersection of healthcare policy, regulation, and community well-being will be critical as we deepen our work to drive systems-level change and deliver better health outcomes in communities nationwide."

Navigating a Critical Moment for Community Health

Banach joins the board at what he described as "an important moment for community health," a period defined by both formidable challenges and transformative opportunities. The national healthcare landscape is bracing for significant shifts. At the end of 2025, enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies are set to expire, potentially driving up premium costs and increasing the number of uninsured Americans.

Simultaneously, major changes to Medicaid are on the horizon. Beginning in 2027, new work requirements for enrollees are projected to leave millions without coverage, while potential federal spending cuts could force states to reduce provider reimbursements and benefits, limiting access to essential services like home care and behavioral health. These policy headwinds threaten to widen the very health gaps CHC and its 5,000-plus partners work to close, particularly in rural and underserved areas already facing provider shortages and hospital closures.

Yet, this challenging environment is also ripe with opportunities for innovation and reform. CMS is advancing a value-based care agenda, moving away from a "sick care" model toward one that rewards prevention and wellness. The agency's new rules for Medicare Advantage plans, set to take effect in the coming years, include a groundbreaking Health Equity Index that will begin assessing plans on their performance in reducing health disparities starting in 2027. This aligns perfectly with CHC's core mission and creates a new lever for advocacy and accountability. Banach's experience at CMS, particularly in developing integrated care models, gives CHC an insider’s perspective on how to leverage these new frameworks to benefit community-based programs.

Bridging Washington Policy with Community-Level Impact

For nearly 70 years, CHC has focused on translating broad goals into tangible local action. The organization's work is grounded in addressing the social determinants of health—the economic, social, and environmental factors that shape well-being. This is evident in flagship programs like the Black Birthing Initiative, which directly confronts the maternal mortality crisis by providing resources and support to Black mothers, and its advocacy for expanding access to mental healthcare and cancer prevention services.

Banach’s appointment is expected to create a more direct and powerful bridge between these on-the-ground initiatives and the policies formulated in Washington, D.C. His deep knowledge of how Medicare and Medicaid funding streams can be structured and integrated is invaluable for an organization that supports a network of non-profits reliant on these complex systems. By helping CHC and its partners navigate regulatory hurdles and advocate for more supportive payment models, his expertise can directly enhance the sustainability and scalability of their work.

This alignment of purpose was central to Banach's decision to join the board. "I am honored to join the CHC board at such an important moment for community health," he said. "CHC's commitment to ensuring every person has the opportunity to live their healthiest life is a mission I care deeply about. I look forward to contributing my experience to support CHC's vital work."

A Confluence of Law, Advocacy, and Action

The addition of Edo Banach also highlights a powerful synergy between the corporate legal world and nonprofit social impact. His role at Foley Hoag provides him with a "360-degree insight" into the healthcare ecosystem, from major providers and insurers to digital health startups. This perspective allows him to anticipate industry trends and regulatory shifts, providing CHC’s board with strategic foresight that is crucial for long-term planning.

This confluence of experience—as a consumer advocate, government leader, association head, and now a top legal advisor—equips him with what colleagues have described as a "Swiss Army knife approach" to solving complex problems. For CHC, this means having a board member who not only understands the moral imperative of health equity but also possesses the technical expertise to architect and advocate for the policy mechanisms needed to achieve it.

As CHC continues to foster collaborations between businesses, nonprofits, and communities to drive systemic change, Banach's presence on the board signals a deepened commitment to sophisticated, evidence-based policy advocacy. His appointment is not merely an addition of a new member, but an integration of a powerful new capability, positioning the organization to more effectively champion the cause of healthier communities in the halls of power and in neighborhoods across the country.