TDC Group leads the industry with a dedicated, award-winning Government Relations team and the only medical liability advocacy program covering all 50 states and the federal level. Our in-house team has been actively advocating on behalf of medical professionals in the U.S. since our founding in 1976.
Most other carriers tend to have one staff member who works in claims or the legal department that can only dedicate part of their time to government relations work. Our Government Relations team has no focus other than being committed to legislative, regulatory, and judicial advocacy on a full-time basis.
The sheer volume of legislative activity in the country could be enough to stop most carriers’ government relations efforts in their tracks—but not our Government Relations team. With more than 150,000 bills introduced each year in state and federal legislatures, our team constantly monitors legislation that impacts our members and clients and advocates on their behalf. More than 30 states have enacted medical liability reform laws to promote access to healthcare; however, these laws are constantly under attack. Our team works continuously at the legislative level to counter such threats—as well as on the judicial level with a robust amicus curae program—and defend these hard-won protections.
Because TDC Group encompasses more product lines than just medical professional liability insurance, our advocacy work extends to support all facets and clients/customers of our strategic business units—The Doctors Company, TDC Specialty Underwriters, and Healthcare Risk Advisors.
Government Relations Leader
Elizabeth Healy
Vice President,
Government and Community Relations
Vice President Elizabeth Healy began her career in government relations more than 30 years ago and has been involved in political campaigns and fundraising, grassroots organizing, state government, and legislative advocacy in the United States and the United Kingdom. Ms. Healy directs political and advocacy strategies nationwide and in Washington, DC, for TDC Group. She joined The Doctors Company over 15 years ago after already working with the organization as an external partner.
Ms. Healy is also responsible for corporate charitable giving and is the Executive Director of The Doctors Company Foundation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social science from California State University and studied international public policy at King’s College, University of London.
Government Relations Team Members
Dennis Chiu, JD
Senior Government
Relations Specialist
Laura Lawson
Executive Assistant
Jaci Runge
Political Operations
Specialist
Remi Stone, JD
Director
James Willett, JD
Director
Around the nation our Government Relations team has built diverse political relationships with a broad coalition of healthcare interests, trade associations, political organizations, and public policy makers that work with us to support medical liability reform and other key initiatives of importance to TDC Group and our members. Learn more about their work on specific legislation and policy nationwide in our Advocacy Updates.
How Can You Get Involved?
It’s crucial for healthcare practitioners to engage with elected officials to emphasize the importance of medical liability reforms on an ongoing basis. We urge you to reach out to your elected officials and introduce yourself to lawmakers and their staff. Offering yourself as a resource to provide perspectives on healthcare ideas and issues that matter can make an impact. Rather than coming with a specific “ask” each time, building a two-way relationship can be a more successful approach to helping influence policy decisions.
As a leader in the medical community, your experience provides an excellent, humanizing viewpoint to build trust. It may take time and patience to achieve meaningful results from your interactions with policymakers, so it’s a good idea for you to connect with their representatives and establish a rapport with them and their staff. The sooner you’re able to start a dialogue, the more valuable your input will be as they navigate turning ideas into policy.
Together, we can help prevent dangerous legislative and regulatory actions from being enacted by educating policymakers. Learn more about how you can take action and get involved to make your voice heard and advocate for medical liability reform.
If you have questions or would like to know more about TDC Group’s advocacy efforts, visit thedoctors.com/advocacy or email the Government Relations team at GovernmentRelations@thedoctors.com.
