SACRAMENTO — After eight years of service, including more than five at the helm of Local Health Plans of California (LHPC), Linnea Koopmans will step down as chief executive officer in late December. Koopmans positioned local plans as a leading voice in Sacramento and built partnerships across the safety net to protect Medi-Cal for the millions of Californians who rely on it.

The LHPC Board of Directors has begun its search for a new chief executive officer to build on that progress, lead the association as local plans navigate federal cuts to Medi-Cal funding and eligibility, advocate for the strength of the nonprofit, local plan model and maintain critical relationships with the communities local plans serve, as well as with health care providers, legislators, community-based organizations and the Administration.

“Linnea has been a steady, strategic leader for local plans through some of the most consequential years in Medi-Cal’s history,” said Yolanda Richardson, incoming LHPC Board Chair and CEO of San Francisco Health Plan. “Since early 2021, she built partnerships that strengthened our members and the entire safety net. The board is grateful for her leadership and is committed to finding a leader who will build on that foundation.”

LHPC is the trade association representing 17 not-for-profit, community-based Medi-Cal managed care plans that provide coverage to nearly 9 million low-income Californians and account for about 70% of the Medi-Cal managed care population.

“The common DNA of the local plans is their mission orientation, commitment to the Medi-Cal program, and providing high-quality care to low-income individuals in their communities,” Koopmans said. “LHPC is the collective voice of local plans in Sacramento, advocating for policies that strengthen California’s local approach for managed care. Leading LHPC has been one of the great privileges of my career.”

As LHPC CEO, Koopmans and LHPC helped shape and implement CalAIM, the Newsom administration’s transformative Medi-Cal initiative that provides services to address housing instability and food insecurity, among other social drivers of health. She also supported local plans as they grew their footprint across the state to cover 51 of California’s 58 counties.

Koopmans and LHPC were part of the coalition effort to pass Proposition 35, a 2024 measure that permanently authorizes the Managed Care Organization tax and requires that revenues fund Medi-Cal services. The effort demanded stronger partnerships with safety-net providers. “We have not stayed in silos, lobbying for our own interests,” said Koopmans. “We have prioritized advocacy that will strengthen the entire Medi-Cal delivery system.”

Koopmans, whose 20-year career has focused on strengthening the Medi-Cal program, said she plans to continue work in the health care safety net.

LHPC has advocated and will continue to advocate, alongside its partners, to protect the Medi-Cal program amid historic federal cuts under H.R. 1, the 2025 federal budget law that cut roughly $1 trillion in federal healthcare spending.

In its search for a new CEO, the LHPC board seeks candidates who can build on the association’s foundation, carry the vision forward with energy, and collaboratively lead the development of LHPC’s strategy and objectives to support its vision, mission and priorities. The CEO will lead the association, including day-to-day operations, financial performance and progress toward meeting association goals. Ideal candidates will be grounded in Medi-Cal policy and California’s political landscape, committed to serving low-income residents, understand health plan operations and have a track record in building successful partnerships. Experience with Medi-Cal managed care plans and five years of progressive executive management experience are required.

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About LHPC

Local Health Plans of California (LHPC) is a statewide trade association that represents 17 community-based, not-for-profit health plans that provide access to critical and comprehensive healthcare services for low-income populations enrolled in California’s Medicaid program, “Medi-Cal,” in 51 counties in the state. With nearly 9 million enrollees, our plans serve approximately 70 percent of all Medi-Cal managed care beneficiaries. LHPC member plans cover more lives than 49 other states’ entire Medicaid programs. More here.

Contact Information
Natalie Haskell
Lucas Public Affairs
(916) 412-9882
Natalie@lucaspublicaffairs.com