Board of Directors

John Baackes is a seasoned health care executive with over 40 years of leadership experience in expanding access to quality, affordable health care. He retired in December 2024 as Chief Executive Officer of L.A. Care Health Plan, the nation’s largest publicly operated health plan, serving more than two million Los Angeles County residents. Under his leadership, L.A. Care strengthened its Medicaid and Medicare programs, expanded its provider network, and launched innovative initiatives to improve health outcomes for underserved communities.

Before joining L.A. Care, Mr. Baackes was President of AmeriHealth Caritas VIP Plans, overseeing Medicare Advantage operations nationwide. He also served as CEO of Senior Whole Health, which provided comprehensive care to over 10,000 low-income seniors in Massachusetts and New York. His prior leadership roles include Senior Vice President at Group Health Incorporated, President of Kaiser Permanente’s Northeast Division, and CEO of Community Health Plan.

A recognized leader in the industry, Mr. Baackes has served on the boards of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), Medicaid Health Plans of America (MHPA), the California Association of Health Plans (CAHP), and Local Health Plans of California (LHPC).

In addition to his professional achievements, Mr. Baackes currently serves as Chairman of the Board for Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science in South Los Angeles. He is also on the Boards of Project Angel Food and Urban Voices Project.

Originally from Evanston, IL, he holds a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.