Former America Online Chair Steve Case Launches Venture To Reform Health Care System
Former America Online Chair Steve Case on Monday announced that he is launching a business venture that will own controlling stakes in corporations that offer health care services, manage resort properties or operate in associated fields, the Washington Post reports. The venture, called Revolution, is based in Washington, D.C. Case said that the venture is intended to encourage the health care system to focus on consumers and that his interest in the health care system is inspired by personal experiences and conversations with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) and health care experts.
Case said that he has invested $500 million of his own funds in the project. Although Case declined to discuss specifics of what kinds of health care ventures he will pursue, the Post reports that Case's "comments, and early investments, suggest that he will focus on the wellness business."
Currently, Revolution owns controlling shares in Miraval, a wellness resort in Tucson, Ariz., and Exclusive Resorts, a luxury vacation club. In addition, Revolution on Monday announced the purchase of a controlling stake in Wisdom Media Group, a radio and television network focusing on health and wellness topics (Vise, Washington Post, 4/5).
Case declined to comment on the cost of the acquisition. The network -- which makes programs on yoga, acupuncture, shiatsu and other topics -- has a "relatively small" distribution of seven million viewers on EchoStar Communications satellite television service and Comcast cable service, the AP/Los Angeles Times reports (AP/Los Angeles Times, 4/5).
NPR's "All Things Considered" on Monday interviewed Case (Norris, "All Things Considered," NPR, 4/4). The complete segment is available online in RealPlayer.