DFW Business Group on Health recognized for member leadership
WASHINGTON – November 11, 2025 – The National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions (National Alliance) acknowledged the efforts of employers and member coalitions at its 2025 Annual Forum – Ignite Courage: Employers Disrupting Healthcare. King County (WA) and City of Cincinnati (OH) received the 2025 Employer/Purchaser Excellence Award and the DFW Business Group on Health was honored with the 2025 Member Leadership Award.
“These awards honor the bold leadership of purchasers and member coalitions who are not only committed to advancing healthcare value but also to improving the health and wellbeing of America’s working families,” said Shawn Gremminger, president and CEO, National Alliance. “Driving meaningful market and policy reform demands collaborative action, and organizations like King County and the City of Cincinnati exemplify how strategic purchasers can lead transformative change – while generously sharing insights to empower others to follow.”
The Employer/Purchaser Excellence Award is presented to employers or purchasers who demonstrates leadership and innovation in advancing overall health and healthcare value through their approach to benefit programs and design, employee engagement, and support of coalition efforts. Previous award recipients include 32BJ Health Fund, Bell & Evans, The Boeing Company, East Penn Manufacturing, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Phifer Incorporated, Prudential Financial, Qualcomm, Rosen Hotels, Turner Industries, Walmart, and The Walt Disney Company.
King County recognized for pharmacy benefit reform
King County, one of Washington’s largest employers with 14,000 staff and a member of the Washington Health Alliance, is being honored for its commitment to fiscal responsibility and healthcare innovation. In 2024, the County retained legal counsel to review its pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) contract. Following this review, it issued a Request for Information to identify an independent pharmacy benefit consultant, leading to a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) earlier this year. Notably, the “Big Three” PBMs declined to participate. Beginning next year, King County will transition to Ventegra—a Certified B Corporation and Medical Benefit Manager. The County anticipates measurable savings within the first three months of implementation, with a sustained downward cost trend projected over the coming years.
“King County is grateful to the Washington Health Alliance for the learnings we gained from the expert-led webinars and events, consultant referrals, and practical advice in our journey to a fully transparent pharmacy benefit manager,” said Michele Ritala, King County Employee Benefits Strategist.
City of Cincinnati honored for innovative employee health plan strategy
The City of Cincinnati, a member of the Greater Cincinnati Employers Group on Health, was recognized for its data-driven approach to employee healthcare, serving over 5,300 employees across 19 departments. The City partnered with a clinical pharmacy benefit optimization firm, along with its PBM, to utilize Comparative Effectiveness Research to prioritize clinically effective medications on its formulary, rather than relying solely on the traditional rebate-driven formulary model. In the first 18 months, the City achieved more than $2.2 million in savings through early biosimilar adoption and an additional $2.1 million from new utilizers being redirected to high-value drugs at the point of sale with a new prescription – delivering smarter, member-centered care aligned with best clinical practices.
DFWBGH acknowledged for advancing strategies to help employers achieve cost-effective, quality care
The Dallas-Fort Worth Business Group on Health (DFWBGH) is regional coalition of 50 mid- and large-size North Texas self-insured employers and 60 benefits services providers. A longtime and highly engaged member, DFWBGH is being honored for its impactful leadership in educating North Texas employers on strategic healthcare benefits management. Through initiatives like oncology-focused workshops, high-cost claims strategies, and a groundbreaking Hospital Price & Quality Transparency project, the coalition empowers employers to improve healthcare cost and quality, and employee engagement. Its strong member participation and growth reflects its vital role in shaping regional healthcare benefits practices.
“We’re honored to receive this award from the National Alliance,” said Marianne Fazen, PhD, executive director, DFWBGH. “This recognition reflects the unwavering commitment of our member employers to drive meaningful change in healthcare—advancing value, transparency, and equity for the workforce across North Texas. At DFWBGH, we believe that collaborative leadership is the key to transforming healthcare, and we’re proud to stand alongside other coalitions nationwide in this vital mission.”
About National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions
For more than 30 years, the National Alliance has brought together business coalitions and their employer and purchaser members to drive high-quality healthcare that enhances patient experience, promotes health equity, and improves outcomes while lowering costs. Its members represent public and private sectors, nonprofits, and labor unions that provide health benefits to over 90 million Americans—more than half of the employer-sponsored insurance market—spending over $850 billion annually. To learn more, visit nationalalliancehealth.org and connect on LinkedIn.
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