The Alliance Recognized for 35 Years of Leadership in Healthcare

The Alliance, a not-for-profit cooperative that helps employers control their healthcare costs through self-funding, is celebrating its 35th anniversary this month.

The cooperative was incorporated by seven Madison-area employers in March 1990 and has grown to serve more than 500 employers throughout Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Employers, leaders, and organizations from Wisconsin and across the country shared their best wishes and thanks to The Alliance for moving healthcare forward.

“The Alliance has been a true partner in Kwik Trip’s pursuit to improve the healthcare experience for our coworkers. As healthcare costs continue to rise, we know we have a partner in our corner who will bring innovative solutions to the table that have a positive impact on our organization,” said Bryan Trainor, Principal of Benefits, Kwik Trip. Trainor is also on The Alliance Board of Directors.

Serving as a voice for its employer-members, The Alliance has also been a strong advocate for effective healthcare policy both nationally and in Wisconsin.

“I’m thankful The Alliance is involved in healthcare policy to help us understand the perspectives of employers and employees. Their data-informed approach to advocacy provides legislators with information we need to help guide our decisions and promote a healthy business environment here in Wisconsin,” said State Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara, Chair of the Senate Health Committee.

While The Alliance has been centered in the Midwest, its efforts have made an impact across the country for similar groups of employers trying to control healthcare costs.

“The Alliance has long been a leader in the coalition movement working to improve health and health care on behalf of employers and is a valued member of the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions,” Shawn Gremminger, National Alliance president and CEO. “We extend congratulations on 35 years and look forward to continuing to work together to create a marketplace that offers affordable, high-quality care for both employers and working families.”

As an active member of the national group, The Alliance has worked to seed and support other employer coalitions.

“I have the utmost respect for The Alliance, its leadership team, and its members,” said Bob Smith, former Executive Director of the Colorado Business Group on Health. “In an employer-sponsored financing model, it is up to employers themselves to address the pricing and delivery system inefficiencies that are penalizing employees and employers alike. But no single employer can take on the healthcare oligopoly. I know of no better positioned coalition in the country than The Alliance to do so. I’m genuinely impressed. Congrats to your members on their resolve.”

The Alliance has also worked to address pharmacy benefit plans for employers; and has made an impact nationally. More than 20 years ago, The Alliance formed the not-for-profit WisconsinRx to address the complexities and costs of providing pharmacy benefit plans for employers. WisconsinRx has since evolved into National CooperativeRx.

“Over the past 10 years, National CooperativeRx has significantly outperformed an industry spend benchmark, providing members $1.1 billion in additional savings off drug spend,” said National CooperativeRx CEO Josh Bindl. “The Alliance’s ongoing guidance has been instrumental in improving the pharmacy benefit experience for more than 300 employer groups and more than 470,000 patient lives, spanning all 50 states.”

As The Alliance marks 35 years in operation, it remains committed to advancing innovation, advocacy, and cost-effective healthcare solutions. Built on a foundation of collaboration and data-driven strategies, The Alliance continues to support employers, employees, and their families—both in Wisconsin and across the U.S.—in accessing high-quality, affordable healthcare.

“As we look to the future, our mission remains the same: empowering employers to take control of their healthcare spend while ensuring high-quality care for their employees,” said Curt Kubiak, President and CEO of The Alliance. “We are grateful for the support of our members, partners, and advocates who share in this vision, and we look forward to building on this legacy for years to come.”

About The Alliance  

The Alliance serves as the voice for self-funded employers who want more control over their healthcare costs. Using Smarter Networks^SM and sophisticated data mining and analysis, they provide transparent, creative approaches to network and benefit plan design to unlock savings where others can’t – or won’t. The Alliance remains a trusted, objective partner for its 500+ employers and their brokers, who seek improved access to high-quality healthcare by contracting with a network of 39,000 healthcare providers and doctors across the Midwest.