David Merritt is senior vice president of external affairs for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), a national federation of independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies. Today, one in three Americans is covered by the Blue System.
With 20 years’ experience in high-profile health care leadership positions and a proven track record in politics, policy and press, Merritt leads BCBSA’s, legislative, regulatory and political initiatives, coordinating efforts with BCBS companies and industry partners to represent the Blue System before Congress, the Administration and associations of state regulators. He also oversees BCBSA’s communications efforts to drive education and awareness of the Association’s mission, impact and priorities. Washingtonian named him as one of Washington, D.C.’s 500 Most Influential People in 2024, and The Hill recognized him as one of the top lobbyists on Capitol Hill in 2023.
Before joining the Association, he served as executive vice president of public affairs and strategic initiatives at America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), where he led AHIP’s most important and impactful advocacy efforts, from nationwide advertising and constituent mobilization campaigns to the first organizational rebrand in nearly 20 years.
Previously, he led political strategy and messaging research for Frank Luntz, one of America’s best known and most respected public opinion and communication strategists. He also served former HHS Secretary and Utah Governor Mike Leavitt, leading Leavitt Partners’ Washington, D.C., office, and worked closely with former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich for seven years, including as CEO of the Center for Health Transformation. He has also advised three presidential campaigns.
In addition to national TV and radio appearances, he has been widely quoted in national media and his writing has been widely published, including opinion columns in the Wall Street Journal and USA Today. Merritt received his bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in political science and government from Loyola University Chicago.