The California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems Announces Katie Rodriguez as President and CEO
(OAKLAND, CA) – The California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems (CAPH) announces Katie Rodriguez as its next President & Chief Executive Officer.
“We are grateful to have Katie’s steady leadership and insight to guide us, especially as the nation’s health care system faces unprecedented challenges from H.R. 1 or the One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” said CJ Kunnappilly, Chief Executive Officer, San Mateo Medical Center, and Board Chair of CAPH. “A broad national search solidified the Board’s belief that Katie is the right leader for CAPH. She already helped secure vital state support to help public hospital systems navigate a financial crisis driven by federal and state policy changes. With her appointment to this permanent role, the Board is confident that we will build on this progress so public hospital systems can remain the backbone of health care in California.”
Rodriguez has served as the interim President and CEO since March. She brings over two decades of experience in public policy, public affairs, and advocacy. Prior to joining CAPH, she served as a senior policy advisor for Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey during consideration of the Affordable Care Act, worked for Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan, and led the California Health Care Foundation’s State Health Policy Office, giving her experience at the federal, state, and local levels. As interim President and CEO, she led CAPH’s efforts to secure $250 million for public hospital systems in the state budget this year.
“I am honored to serve at such a critical time for public hospital systems,” said Rodriguez. “Amid mounting financial pressures and uncertainty, their mission — to provide care regardless of coverage or ability to pay — has never been more vital. I look forward to working with state and federal policymakers on long-term strategies to ensure these systems can continue delivering high-quality care to all who need it.”
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CONTACT: Anthony Matthews, anthony@caph.org