James Springfield is the 14th president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield ofTexas (BCBSTX), the state’s oldest and largest health insurer.
James provides accountability and strategic leadership for the teams managing sales and marketing, network development, health care delivery, health care management, government and public relations and market strategy. In a company which processes over $38 billion in claims with a network of nearly 130,000 physicians and 547 hospitals serving over 6.7 million members, he is responsible for the affordability of care in all market segments, including group, government and retail/family product portfolio in all 254 Texas counties.
James has garnered a depth of senior leadership experience from a variety of prominent health care organizations. This includes 13 years at Memorial Hermann Healthcare System inHouston where he served as CEO of Hermann Children’s Hospital and COO of Hermann.He also led Valley Baptist Health System in south Texas as president and CEO, founded three successful health care startup companies, and has served as an advisory to private equity and venture funds. James also served as the senior vice president of provider market growth and business development at Optum, adivision of United Health.
Prior to joining BCBSTX as president in 2021, James served as National Chief Operating Officer for CancerTreatment Centers of America.
In addition to his corporate accomplishments, James is passionate about service. He has held positions on numerous community and professional boards and committees, including theAmerican Hospital Association, Texas Hospital Association, Houston SEARCH forHomeless, Greater Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce, Rio Grande ValleyPartnership, and Baylor University. James has also served on the board of theTouchdown Club of Houston and as a committee member with the Houston RodeoLivestock Show and Rodeo. He is currently chairman of the Caring Foundation ofTexas and member of the Dallas Regional Chamber’s board of directors.
James is a Fellow of the AmericanCollege of Healthcare Executives and earned a bachelor’s degree from BaylorUniversity as well as a master’s degree in public health from University ofHouston – Clear Lake. James and his wife Teri currently reside in McKinney and are proud parents to their four children Jordan, Tanner, Cydney, and Ashley as well as two granddaughters Dorothy and Lucy.
Texas Covered is the largest event of its kind in Texas and brings together decision-makers from across the health care spectrum—from major health plans, providers and regulators, to legislators, journalists, academics and more.
