Healthcare and policy will always go hand-in-hand, no matter who is in charge in DC. Rather than fueling an apprehension to working with policymakers, let’s focus on the opportunity to forge stronger, more collaborative relationships. Take AI as an example, regulatory frameworks, often perceived as bureaucratic hurdles, can instead become guardrails that can help shape the responsible development of AI especially in healthcare, where policy and practice are inextricably linked. Organizations that develop adaptable compliance frameworks and engage early in the legislative process can influence the creation of well-structured bills, ensuring patient coverage and reimbursement while enhancing trust in AI systems. Evaluating AI tools rigorously before implementation ensures fairness, accuracy, and societal benefit—building a regulatory environment where innovation and governance work hand in hand. With healthcare’s reliance on AI growing, organizations must cultivate resilience to policy shifts through proactive, transparent dialogue with both current and incoming regulatory teams. Do not fear the regulator!