David Morales currently serves as general manager of Wellpoint, a health benefits company located in Woburn, Massachusetts. In this role, he oversees management of Wellpoint’s commercial and Medicare plans offered to members insured through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission (GIC). He is also responsible for collaborating with healthcare providers, elected officials, regulators, labor unions, and other key stakeholders to drive improvements in healthcare access, quality, affordability, member experience, and health outcomes for Wellpoint members who work and reside across several states, including
Massachusetts and New England.
Prior to joining Wellpoint, David founded his own advisory practice, which specialized in management consulting, strategy, and regulatory innovation. Before that, Morales served as chief strategy officer for Steward Health Care System, where he led strategy, acquisitions, and payment innovation. David also served as CEO of Steward’s captive insurance company, and founded and led Steward’s Business Solutions team, which evaluated and led hospital acquisitions, physician recruitment, and EMS growth and innovation.
Prior to joining the private sector, Morales held several public service roles, including Massachusetts Commissioner of Health Care Finance and Policy, and prior to that, as deputy chief of staff to Gov. Deval Patrick, managing cabinet affairs and public policy. He also served as a senior adviser to Senate President Robert E. Travaglini and as an adviser to Speaker of the House of Representatives Thomas M. Finneran. During his time as an adviser, he was one of the principal authors of the Massachusetts health care reform law (Chapter 58 of 2006) and the health care cost and transparency law (Chapter 305 of 2008).
In addition to his extensive healthcare experience on both the provider and health plan segments, David has expertise in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. David implemented and operated the first prescription drug insurance model in the U.S. – Prescription Advantage under Governor Jane Swift – which served as the incubator for Medicare Part D and was the co-author of the legislation which launched the Massachusetts Life Sciences initiative.
A graduate of Bowdoin College, he is also a best-selling author (www.davidamorales.com), renowned researcher and lecturer in traditional music from Puerto Rico, and is very active in his community. He serves on several boards, including Ahora Inc., Cristo Rey High School in Boston, the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans, the Massachusetts Health Quality Partners (MHQP), Massachusetts Business Roundtable, Bethany Congregational Church, North Shore Chamber of Commerce and the Lynn Classical High School Board of Directors. David lives in Lynnfield, MA. with his wife and their two children.