01.05.2017 / Press Release

Families USA Announces Frederick Isasi as New Executive Director

Washington, D.C. —Families USA, one of the nation’s leading health care advocacy organizations, today announced that its Board of Directors has selected Frederick Appel Isasi as the organization’s new Executive Director. The announcement follows a six-month nationwide search undertaken after current Executive Director Ron Pollack’s announcement in May that he would be stepping down in early 2017. Mr. Isasi currently serves as the Health Division Director with the National Governor’s Association Center for Best Practices. He and Mr. Pollack will begin a one-month transition starting February 27.

Frederick Appel Isasi

“We are extremely excited to have found a new Executive Director with the leadership, poise, and deep health care experience of Mr. Isasi,” said Phil Villers, President of Families USA. “This is a pivotal time for our nation’s health care system and we are confident that Mr. Isasi can build on Families USA’s historic successes and best prepare the organization to meet the enormous challenges ahead and protect and improve our ability to fully meet the health care needs of the American people.”

“Families USA has a long and respected history of fighting for better health care in this country and I cannot wait to join its talented team,” said Mr. Isasi. “It will take a lot of hard work to transform the health care system for the 21st century, but I feel confident that Families USA is the organization to lead this effort and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of their vision and mission.”

“Mr. Isasi has the background and experience needed for today’s health care fights,” said Ron Pollack, Families USA’s Founding Executive Director. “He has the vision and leadership skills that can make a significant, positive difference – not just during the current fight to protect historic health coverage gains, but also future efforts to transform America’s health care system.”

In addition to his work with the NGA, Mr. Isasi served as Vice President for Health Policy with the Advisory Board Company and as Senior Legislative Counsel on both the Senate Finance and Health Education Labor and Pension (HELP) Committees for former Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM). There he played an instrumental role in strengthening insurance market reforms, affordability of new health insurance Exchange/Marketplace coverage, the Medicaid expansion, and streamlining enrollment, as well as a host of health care workforce improvements and payment and delivery reforms, including value-based purchasing, bundled payments, and new accountable care organizations. He also served as Healthcare Attorney and Policy Associate with Powell Goldstein and as Senior Policy Advisory to the District of Columbia Primary Care Association.

Mr. Isasi holds a JD from Duke University, an MPH from the University of North Carolina and a BS in Cellular Biology and second major in Spanish from the University of Wisconsin.