CMS Deputy Administrator Discusses Federal Agency’s Perspective on Health Care Reform
NASHVILLE – Marilyn Tavenner, principal deputy administrator and COO of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), spoke to Nashville Health Care Council members today about the federal agency’s role in health care reform and its implementation efforts.
Tavenner advocated that health reform would decrease long-term costs, increase quality of care and increase patient access by extending coverage to the formerly uninsured. She also emphasized the importance of productive relationships between CMS and health care providers and payers as reform is implemented.
“The Affordable Care Act supports a blend of public and private health care options, which is good for business, good for the community and good for people who want to choose the best health care for themselves and their families,” said Tavenner. “It’s important that the health care community and CMS can work together in collaborative and innovative ways.”
More than 300 health care industry executives attended the briefing at Belmont University’s Curb Center. Today’s program was the third in a year-long Health Care Reform Series, which offers insights on key provisions of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, including policy development, implementation and potential outcomes.
“Marilyn Tavenner’s personal experiences in both the private and public sector have well prepared her to understand the health care industry,” said Joey Jacobs, Council Board of Directors chairman and Acadia Healthcare chairman & CEO. “Marilyn brings a unique perspective to her management of the agency, and the Nashville health care community can be a resource to her and her team.”
“Nashville’s health care companies regularly interact with CMS, and hearing today from the agency’s leadership offers our community valuable insights on top-level decision-making,” said Council President Caroline Young. “As the Administration moves forward in the implementation of the health care reform law, the Council will continue to provide our members access to information on key policy changes and the leaders in Washington driving them.”
The program was supported by presenting sponsor BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and supporting sponsors Bass, Berry & Sims, Gresham, Smith and Partners, Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain and McKesson.
Details for future series programs will be announced later this year.
About the Nashville Health Care Council
The Nashville Health Care Council, founded in 1995 as an initiative of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, is an association of health care industry leaders working together to further establish Nashville’s position as the nation’s health care industry capital. Worldwide, Nashville’s health care industry generates $62 billion in revenue and approximately 400,000 jobs, and is Nashville’s largest and fastest growing employer. For more information on the Council, please visit www.healthcarecouncil.com.
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