Written by: Center for Care Innovations

Our Executive Director Veenu Aulakh sat down with Dan Diamond of Politico’s Pulse Check.

Take a listen to the latest podcast episode, where she discusses testing innovations in the safety net and how we’re implementing solutions across California and beyond.

On the state of the health care safety net:

“The hope is that value-based care is going to happen. The hope is Medicaid isn’t going to get cut. And if all of that happens, I think the safety net could be in a really strong place.”

On the focus on “innovation” buzzwords in health care:

I think the hardest part of true innovation isn’t the coming up with the ideas. It’s actually implementing and getting to stick. And a lot of the work we do is around that because I think that’s actually the tough part. So you can invest in these companies. But if those companies never make it into the safety net and no one ever uses their products, it’s not really an innovation. It’s kind of an idea.”

On why she walked away from a Fortune 500 health care company to work on safety-net projects:

“We’re working with the people who need it the most. We are working on issues that at the end of the day can really change the trajectory of someone’s life and really make a difference at a local level. I’m surrounded by people who want to make change in the world. It’s not about making money. It’s about helping people and solving critical challenges and speaking up for those who can’t speak up for themselves.

“I feel like I’m a very privileged position. I’ve been educated. I’ve had these experiences. And I could put it toward a company to make more money or I could put it toward helping my community be healthier. For me, it’s a no-brainer what I want to do.”

Listen to the full interview.