Andrew Lynch, PhD

Acadia Healthcare's Man at the Table

Chief Strategy Officer, Acadia Healthcare

For-Profit Behavioral HealthFranklin, TN· Member, confirmed on the Nov. 9, 2026 agenda

Last verified November 6, 2026

Overview

Chief strategist of the largest pure-play for-profit behavioral health company in America: 280 facilities in 40 states and Puerto Rico as of November 2026. Acadia disclosed a DOJ and SDNY investigation in September 2024, carries a Corporate Integrity Agreement from a 2019 $17 million settlement, and faces jury verdicts and sexual assault suits across several states. It paid $19.85 million in 2024 to settle False Claims Act allegations. Senators Wyden and Merkley cited that settlement in July 2026 when they questioned why he belongs on the committee. Acadia booked $18.3 million in government investigation costs in the third quarter of 2026 alone. In July 2026 it settled shareholder derivative suits for $12 million paid by insurers plus four years of governance reforms. Debbie Osteen became CEO in January 2026 and the CFO left in April. He sits on the committee's MAHA wellness and chronic disease working group and gave $1,000 to the NABH PAC in April 2026.

Since March 2026

What has changed

April 21, 2026FEC records show a $1,000 contribution from Andrew Lynch (Acadia Healthcare, Chief Strategy Officer) to the NABH Champions PAC on April 21, 2026. source
April 23, 2026Acadia announced CFO Todd Young's departure (effective April 30) and named former CFO David Duckworth interim CFO effective May 1, 2026, to serve at least until the permanent CEO search concludes. source
July 14, 2026Sens. Wyden and Merkley's letter to Kennedy and Oz questioned Lynch's membership because Acadia paid $19.85 million in 2024 to settle False Claims Act allegations of overbilling. source
July 28, 2026Acadia Q2 2026: revenue $865.8 million, net income $10.9 million, adjusted EBITDA $149.2 million including a $28.6 million liability reserve adjustment; $7.5 million government investigation costs; $13.8 million six-month legal settlement expense tied to Sandoval v. Acadia. source
July 31, 2026Stipulation settling stockholder derivative suits (M.D. Tenn. lead case 3:19-cv-00167; Delaware Chancery Pfenning and Solak): $12 million paid by insurers to Acadia, four years of governance reforms, $4.75 million plaintiffs' fees subject to court approval. Settlement notice filed with the SEC in September 2026. source
November 4, 2026Acadia Q3 2026: revenue $895.3 million (up 5.1%), net income $34.5 million, adjusted EBITDA $176.4 million; full-year guidance raised; 280 facilities in 40 states and Puerto Rico; $18.3 million government investigation costs in the quarter. source

Career arc

Professional timeline

November 2022–Present

Chief Strategy Officer

Acadia Healthcare

VP Home Solutions ($2B) / VP Healthcare Services BD ($500M+ acquisitions)

Humana

Principal, Strategy & Operations

Google/Verily (30+ healthtech investments)

Consultant

Global management consulting firm

Business interests and affiliations

•Acadia Healthcare: 280 facilities in 40 states and Puerto Rico, 70,000+ patients/day (Nov. 2026). Largest pure-play for-profit behavioral health company in the US.
•NABH board chair-elect (National Association for Behavioral Healthcare); Jim Shaheen is chair.
•Acadia lobbying: ~$522,500 through Armory Hill Advocates since 2021 on Medicare behavioral health regulations.
•Political giving: $1,000 to NABH Champions PAC (April 2026), per FEC.

Red flags

Conflicts and concerns

Active DOJ/SDNY criminal investigation (September 2024) on admissions, length of stay, and billing.

Grand jury subpoena (W.D. Missouri) same day as DOJ request.

SEC anticipated document requests disclosed in September 2024 8-K.

$19.85M DOJ False Claims Act settlement (2024): knowingly billed Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE for medically unnecessary inpatient behavioral services.

$17M settlement (2019): largest healthcare fraud settlement in West Virginia history. Active five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement with HHS-OIG.

$400M and $405M jury verdicts (2023) for sexual abuse of minors at facilities.

New York Times investigation (September 2024): Acadia detained patients against their will in at least 12 states, holding people until insurance ran out, charging up to $2,200/day.

$31M in investigation-related costs in Q1 2025; $18.3M more in Q3 2026 alone.

Fourth Circuit (February 2025): reversed dismissal of qui tam case alleging fabricated therapy notes and billing for sessions that never happened.

Named by Senators Wyden and Merkley (July 2026), who asked why he belongs on the committee. Still on the Nov. 9, 2026 agenda.

Physician-owned hospitals

Lynch is the chief strategist of a company under active federal criminal investigation with $800M+ in fraud settlements and jury verdicts. He advises CMS on healthcare policy while his company lobbies the same agency. No stated interest in physician ownership.

Sources