MHPA names Highmark Wholecare's Joe Glinka to executive committee

Medicaid Health Plans of America elected Highmark Wholecare’s Joe Glinka to its Executive Committee on July 20, 2026. The move gives a Pennsylvania Medicaid managed care leader a role in guiding the national trade group as Medicaid plans face shifting regulations and operational pressures.

Why it matters: - Glinka’s election gives Highmark Wholecare a voice in MHPA’s leadership at a time when Medicaid plans are navigating regulatory change, access challenges and operational shifts. - MHPA’s Executive Committee helps steer the association’s advocacy, research, communications and member engagement work between board meetings. - The committee’s decisions can shape how the national Medicaid managed care industry responds to policy changes affecting coverage and care access.

What happened: - Medicaid Health Plans of America elected Joe Glinka, director of HealthChoices at Highmark Wholecare, to one of three at-large seats on its Executive Committee. - The election was announced July 20, 2026. - MHPA is the leading national trade association representing Medicaid managed care organizations.

The details: - Glinka leads Highmark Wholecare’s Pennsylvania Medicaid managed care plan and oversees accountability with Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services. - He previously served as Highmark Wholecare’s Government Affairs Director. - Craig A. Kennedy, MHPA’s president and CEO, said Glinka brings experience in Medicaid managed care, health policy and stakeholder engagement. - Kennedy said that perspective will help MHPA support access to high-quality care for Medicaid beneficiaries and help members navigate a more complex policy environment. - MHPA’s Executive Committee oversees the business and affairs of the association between board meetings. - The committee includes the association’s chair, vice chair, secretary and treasurer, plus three at-large members. - MHPA was founded in 1995. - The association says it represents the interests of the Medicaid managed care industry exclusively. - MHPA says its 160-plus member health plans serve nearly 48 million Medicaid enrollees in 40 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. - MHPA members include for-profit and nonprofit plans, national and regional plans, and single-state health plans. - More information is available on MHPA's website.

Between the lines: - The appointment suggests MHPA is elevating leaders with direct state-plan and government affairs experience as Medicaid policy becomes more complex. - Glinka’s background in Pennsylvania could help MHPA ground national policy discussions in operational realities from a major Medicaid market. - MHPA’s structure shows the committee is meant to handle day-to-day governance while the board focuses on broader direction.

What's next: - Glinka will help guide MHPA’s tactical efforts and core priorities alongside the other Executive Committee members. - MHPA is likely to keep focusing on advocacy and policy work as state and federal Medicaid requirements continue to evolve. - Highmark Wholecare gains added representation in national Medicaid policy discussions through Glinka’s committee role.