With 1 out of every 3 U.S. health care dollars emanating from Washington, the federal government is the largest payer of health services in the United States and accounted for 42% of all national health spending in 2021. For healthcare companies that depend on government revenue – or are downstream from it – policymakers are among your most important customers. Often perceived as a “nice-to-have,” having internal, professional government affairs expertise is no longer a luxury – it is an essential corporate positioning and sales function