Tom Croyle, president of the Lehigh Valley Business Coalition on Healthcare, announced his plans to retire July 1.
Croyle has led the organization since 2010.
A search committee comprised of members of the executive board expects to name a new president by the beginning of the summer, the board said.
Under Croyle’s leadership, the nonprofit coalition expanded its membership from 55 employers to about 190 in six states.
The organization was founded in 1980 by several business leaders in the Lehigh Valley who were concerned about providing affordable, quality health insurance for their employees. The group has developed self-funded, employer-designed health insurance plans with a number of health insurance companies.
“Here in the Valley, our focus is on access to quality, affordable care,” Croyle said this morning.
He said the coalition helps members by offering discounts and additional services that members are not likely to get on their own.
“We work with their broker consultants and we provide education. Probably one of the biggest things is the relationship with the health care system in the region – having discussions, reducing waste and improving quality.”
Croyle said the coalition is a voice for employers because health care is too big and complex for employers in the region to handle on their own.
“They need a voice; they need to be involved and try to have influence in the marketplace to try to bring about some change and improve quality, efficiency and safety,” he said.
