Almost Clinical
The Healthcare Lobbyist You Want on Your Side: Laurie Clark Talks Negotiation, Collaboration & Winning the Long Game
There are very few people Vincent Buttaci admits to being afraid of. Healthcare lobbyist Laurie Clark is one of them. In this episode of Almost Clinical, hosts Vincent , John Leard i, and Paul Werner sit down with one of New Jersey's most respected healthcare advocates for a conversation that spans decades of legislative battles, regulatory challenges, pharmacy reform efforts, and hard-earned lessons about influence, negotiation, and playing the long game. A longtime advocate for physicians, pharmacists, healthcare organizations, and professional associations, Laurie offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how policy actually gets made – and why getting things done often requires far more relationship-building than headline-grabbing victories. Along the way, the group revisits the legislative fight that first put Laurie and Vin on opposite sides of the table, explores the evolution of pharmacy benefit manager reform in New Jersey, discusses the realities of working with regulators and administrative agencies, and explains why some of the most important victories in healthcare happen long before anyone walks into a courtroom. Other highlights include: How Laurie built one of New Jersey's leading independent healthcare lobbying practices Why the best advocates focus on solving problems, not just winning arguments The legislative battle that transformed Laurie and Vin from adversaries into collaborators What healthcare providers need to understand about building influence with legislators and regulators Lessons learned from years of fighting for independent pharmacies and pharmacy benefit manager reform Why professional associations remain one of the most effective tools for driving change The importance of credibility, transparency, and keeping communication lines open, even during difficult negotiations Why playing the long game almost always beats chasing a quick win BONUS: Stay until the end to hear Laurie explain why, despite wanting to "kill" Vin during one legislative battle, she ultimately ended up hiring his firm. Produced by Buttaci, Leardi & Werner , this episode is a reminder that influence isn't about being the loudest person in the room. It's about showing up, building trust, and staying at the table long enough to make progress. Join Almost Clinical hosts Vincent Buttaci, John Leardi, and Paul Werner as they challenge each other’s views on how to operate, invest, and succeed in healthcare’s rapidly shifting landscape, translate legalese into business sense for healthcare providers, executives, private equity professionals, and strategic stakeholders, and explore the issues shaping the business of medicine today and tomorrow.
