Vice President Government Affairs
Connections Health Solutions
Old Saybrook, CT, Connecticut
hris Santarsiero is the Vice President of Government Affairs at Connections Health Solutions. A strategic leader of the Growth and Development Team, Chris develops and executes policy outcomes that drive market access, innovative value-based care models, thought leadership and growth opportunities. At Connections, Chris advocates for behavioral health crisis care that provides an alternative to Emergency Departments and jails for individuals experiencing behavioral health emergencies.
Chris was a key contributor to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA)’s National Guidelines for Behavioral Health Coordinated System of Crisis Care (BHCSCC) and its companion, “Model Definitions for Behavioral Health Emergency, Crisis and Crisis Related Services. He is a sought-after speaker and consultant serving on numerous expert panels and advisory boards for federal, state and local entities as well is private sector investors, payor, professional associations and advocacy groups.
Chris has 27 years of growth, market access and profitability driven government relations, contract procurement and consulting experience. Chris previously served as the Government Markets Director at National Strategies (NSI) aligning strategic sales efforts with state and local governments. Chris also brings 15 years of experience advancing federal and state healthcare policy focusing on Medicare, Medicaid and data interoperability at VITAS Healthcare, the largest end-of-life provider in the country. During this time, he led expansion efforts, established revolutionary contracts with the Department of Veterans Affairs and led value-based partnerships with major health systems and insurers.
PRECON5 - Crisis Response Services Convening
Sunday, April 26, 2026
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM MDT
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM MDT