CVS appoints chief policy and external affairs officer

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health on Thursday announced that current EVP and general counsel Thomas M. Moriarty has been appointed to the newly created role of chief policy and external affairs officer.

Moriarty will continue to report directly to President and CEO Larry Merlo, and will bring together corporate communications, legal, government affairs and public policy under one operating unit to manage the company's external affairs in Washington, D.C. and state capitals across the country. In his expanded role, he will manage at the epicenter of corporate strategy and counsel, bringing an integrated set of capabilities to impact and shape national and state-specific public policy for CVS Health and its businesses. Moriarty and his team will help promote the company's role in reshaping a health care industry that is more accessible and affordable, and that delivers better outcomes for patients. 

"Tom has been an integral member of the CVS Health executive team as chief strategy officer and general counsel, and brings a tremendous wealth of public policy expertise to his expanded responsibilities that allow us to bring greater value to the health care system," said Merlo. "Tom's new role will deliver an integrated approach to policy development and external engagement so the company can contribute to the public dialogue and bring forth innovative solutions to important legislative and regulatory proposals. As we work to navigate the changes in healthcare and policy over the next few years, I am pleased to have Tom leading this effort."

Moriarty joined CVS Health in 2012, and since that time has held several senior roles, including general counsel, chief strategy officer, and chairman of Red Oak Sourcing.

"The public policy and health care landscapes in the coming months and years will be some of the most important of our time for our communities and country in terms of patient care and strengthening the delivery system," said Moriarty. "As a company that touches more than 100 million consumers and patients at multiple points along the health care continuum each year, we have learned valuable lessons on how to drive better patient outcomes and lower health care costs. We look forward to sharing our company's insights on important policy initiatives as we work collaboratively with elected officials and health care policy experts at the local, state and national levels."