Horizon Government Affairs Merges with Monument Advocacy, Reshaping Healthcare Lobbying Landscape

In a significant move that promises to reshape the healthcare lobbying landscape, Horizon Government Affairs has announced its merger with Monument Advocacy. This strategic consolidation, backed by private equity firm Everlane Equity Partners, aims to create a powerhouse in healthcare policy and advocacy, particularly in Washington D.C. and key state capitals.

Merger Details and Strategic Vision

The merger brings together Horizon Government Affairs' deep healthcare policy expertise with Monument Advocacy's public affairs and political communications prowess. Joel White, CEO and President of Horizon Government Affairs, and John Murray, CEO of Monument Advocacy, see this union as an opportunity to leverage bold messaging strategies in policy pushes at both federal and state levels.

"Messaging shapes what can get done, or what does get done, as much as policy details," White stated in an exclusive interview. This rhetoric-forward approach is seen as crucial in navigating the current political landscape, especially in Donald Trump's Washington.

Expansion Plans and Private Equity Backing

Monument Advocacy, which received investment from Everlane Equity Partners in October 2024, is pursuing a broader M&A strategy. The firm plans to establish offices in key state capitals and major cities, with a focus on states that are leading in areas where federal policy lags, such as California, Florida, New York, and Texas.

Evan Horton, managing partner at Everlane Equity Partners, emphasized the strategic fit: "We invested in Monument Advocacy with the intention of finding firms to complement its client work and expand the overall growth strategy—and Horizon fits that model perfectly."

Healthcare Policy Priorities and Technological Focus

The newly merged entity, which will operate under the Monument Advocacy name, has outlined several key policy priorities. These include:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare
2. Interoperability of health systems
3. Promoting consumer health awareness through wearables
4. Cybersecurity for rural hospitals

White highlighted the potential of AI to streamline compliance reporting and reduce regulatory burdens on healthcare providers. He also noted the firm's intention to lobby for allocation of funds from the $50 billion rural hospital fund towards strengthening cybersecurity infrastructure.

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, Monument Advocacy aims to play a pivotal role in shaping policy and leveraging technology to transform federal health programs. "We need to fundamentally rethink Medicare, Medicaid, other federal programs where we're leveraging dollars to help people get and stay healthy, using technology, using data," White explained.