Eric L. Settle

Biography

Eric L. Settle brings over 30 years of experience in healthcare law, corporate transactions, and government affairs, advising businesses, policymakers, and industry leaders on complex legal and regulatory matters. His career spans senior and chief legal roles at major healthcare organizations, high-level government service, and a proven track record in public policy advocacy.

As Senior Counsel in the firm’s Corporate & Business Group, Eric specializes in healthcare transactional and regulatory matters. Drawing on his deep industry knowledge and extensive network, he helps clients navigate the complexities of the evolving healthcare landscape. Eric provides skilled guidance on regulatory compliance, payer-provider negotiations, and strategic transactions, while also offering corporate counsel on mergers and acquisitions and representing clients in government affairs at both the state and federal levels.

Prior to joining RCCB, Eric served as Senior Counsel at AmeriHealth Caritas, a leading national managed care organization, and held top legal positions at AmeriChoice, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna. He also served as Deputy General Counsel to Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge, overseeing healthcare and environmental affairs, and was later selected for Governor Josh Shapiro’s healthcare transition team.

Eric’s work in corporate law includes structuring high-profile healthcare mergers, joint ventures, and regulatory strategies, while his public affairs experience includes successfully leading the effort for the passage of Pennsylvania Act 62, mandating insurance coverage for children with autism. His recent run for Pennsylvania Attorney General further strengthened his reputation as a bipartisan leader with deep connections in government and industry.

Representative Matters

Corporate Experience

• Successfully negotiated a joint venture agreement between United Healthcare and Jefferson Health System to establish an innovative co-branded, consumer-directed health plan for the middle market (2-25 employees). This agreement enabled United to secure preferred rates at Jefferson Health System facilities in exchange for a share of the joint venture's profits.
• Served as the lead attorney for the sale of Aetna U.S. Healthcare’s New Jersey Medicaid business to AmeriChoice Corporation. Negotiated the asset purchase agreement and regulatory approval of this complex transaction.

• Negotiated and implemented a consent order between Aetna and the U.S. DOJ and the Texas Attorney General’s office requiring immediate separation of Texas NYLCare business that had been acquired the prior year to allow for the acquisition of the larger Prudential Healthcare business. Also played a key role in the subsequent sale of Texas NYLCare to HCSC and the implementation and oversight of a consent order between the State of New Jersey and Aetna in connection with the acquisition of Prudential Healthcare.

• Successfully negotiated provider agreements between leading managed care payors and major health systems.

• Served as counsel to a corporate program integrity team, responsible for negotiating vendor agreements and other programs designed to reduce provider fraud, waste, and abuse. 

Government Affairs Experience

• In addition to his service in government under Governor Ridge, Eric spent five years as a registered lobbyist and political strategist in Washington, D.C., and Harrisburg, representing a broad range of clients on a bipartisan basis. His work included campaign roles for Tom Knox (D) in the Philadelphia mayoral race, Lynn Swann (R) for Pennsylvania Governor, and congressional candidates Craig Williams (R) and Marina Kats (R), as well as advocacy for several healthcare businesses.
• More recently, Eric played a key role in the bipartisan Republicans for Josh Shapiro effort, which led to his appointment to Governor Shapiro’s healthcare transition team.
• Eric’s most significant achievement in government affairs was leading the successful passage of Act 62, which mandated insurance coverage for children with autism. This bipartisan initiative transformed the lives of tens of thousands of Pennsylvania families.
• Eric’s recent run for Pennsylvania Attorney General on behalf of the newly established centrist Forward Party further solidified his reputation as a thoughtful, bipartisan leader. With extensive experience navigating legislative and regulatory landscapes, he is well-positioned to effectively represent clients in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., advancing their public affairs interests and policy initiatives.