Kenneth Janda

Ken Janda is the principal of Wild Blue Health Solutions, LLC., a consultancy bringing people and solutions to the audacious challenges in our health care landscape. A veteran of successful health system reform, Ken leads teams to understand and improve health access, quality, and financing across government-sponsored and private insurance programs.

Pragmatic real-world experience paired with visionary systemic advocacy brings immediate value to collaborative projects. Ken’s proven ability to illuminate complex topics of health vs. health care vs. health insurance resonates with audiences and clients at every level: from state and national policy planning, to nuts-and-bolts systemic implementation, to acclimating business and community leaders new to the health system landscape. His passion for collaborative solutions has built relationships between the many diverse partners in our unique health system: governments and nonprofits, providers and insurers, brokers and managers, business leaders and educators.

Prior to starting Wild Blue Health Solutions, Ken was CEO of Community Health Choice, Inc., for 11 years. The Texas-based, non-profit managed care organization provided innovative health insurance plans to low-income families, including those covered under Medicaid, CHIP, and subsidized individual health plans under the ACA. As part of the Harris Health System, Ken’s role transcended health insurance and leveraged his deep understanding and passion for improving access and outcomes for underserved Texans who rely on public hospitals, community health centers and charity clinics for care. Previously, Ken served as Vice President at Compass Consulting and Benefits; as Houston Market President for Humana; and with Aetna and Prudential in marketing, finance, and management of provider networks nationally.

Ken is an adjunct professor in the Jones Business School at Rice University and serves on the Dean’s Advisory Committee to the School of Social Science at Rice. He also is certified by the National Association of Health Underwriters as an Affordable Care Act Professional. A Bellville, Texas, native Ken is a graduate of Rice University with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, economics, and managerial studies. He holds a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center.

Ken supports the Houston area community through a variety of activities, serving on the Texas Medical Center’s Health Policy Institute’s Executive Committee and as a member of the Boards of Directors for two charity clinics: Christ Clinic in Katy, and San Jose Clinic in Houston.

Beyond Houston, Ken advocates for health policy issues in Texas as a member of the Executive committee of the Board of the Center for Public Policy Priorities. He has served on the boards of the Texas Association of Health Plans, Texas Association of Community Health Plans, and on the Executive Committee of the Board of the Association of Community Affiliated Plans, an association of 63 non-profit safety net health plans across the country.

Teaching Interests: 

• Health insurance
• Health care financing in the US
• Improving health of low-income populations