100 Most Influential People in Healthcare - 2022

In January 2021, Keck became the association’s first female CEO. She works to influence national health policy as head of the federation of 34 independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans and related companies. One priority has been improving health equity, with a goal of reducing racial disparities in maternal health by half in five years. Earlier this year, the association joined with generic drug company Civica Rx in an initiative to produce and distribute insulin costing patients $30 or less per vial, likely starting in 2024. That follows a similar partnership with Civica to drive down prices for some common generic drugs. Keck was previously president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island. She also worked at Aetna for 28 years, including serving as president of Aetna’s Northeast Region and interim president of its Southeast Region.