In this session, we’ll bring together insights from our Fall 2025 CSO Forums —highlighting what healthcare executives discussed during their in-person gatherings with peers. We’ll also share our perspective on the cross-cutting themes and their implications for industry organizations that partner with leading health systems.
Session Takeaways
CSOs are planning for uncertainty as the baseline. Strategy leaders are assuming continued policy volatility and using advocacy, relationships, and flexibility—not forecasts—as their primary tools.
Financial risk is shaping strategy more directly than ever. From outpatient and ASC expansion to AI deployment, systems are aligning strategic priorities around managing downside risk and protecting optionality.
Partnerships are increasingly about speed, capital, and focus. Health systems are leaning on partners to accelerate execution, bring capital, and fill expertise gaps—while reserving internal resources for core capabilities.
The capital landscape is forcing harder structural questions. With private equity pulling back and payers reshaping the market, CSOs are openly questioning legacy operating models and long-term system design.