Heard in the Halls at HIMSS: Lafe Bauer on Healthcare Disruption & End-of-Life Care
HITea With GraceMarch 27, 202600:03:43

Heard in the Halls at HIMSS: Lafe Bauer on Healthcare Disruption & End-of-Life Care

In this episode of Heard in the Halls at HIMSS, we speak with Lafe Bauer, VP of Post-Acute Services at University of Maryland Medical System, about the rapid disruption reshaping healthcare.

Lafe highlights the convergence of payer dynamics, regulatory changes, federal reimbursement shifts, and accelerating innovation—all contributing to a moment of significant transformation. With so much change happening at once, he reflects on the key question: who will truly drive meaningful impact and scale in this evolving landscape?

On health equity, Lafe offers a powerful and often overlooked perspective. He points to end-of-life care as one of the healthcare system’s greatest challenges, noting that we have not adequately prepared patients and families for the realities of death. He emphasizes the importance of supporting quality of life, addressing psychosocial and symptom needs, and empowering families to make informed, thoughtful decisions.

Tune in for a candid and thought-provoking conversation from the HIMSS conference floor.