Leadership Health Care Returns from 10th Anniversary Delegation as U.S. Supreme Court Convenes Historic Hearings

In the midst of the presidential election season, budget sequestration and the anticipation surrounding the Supreme Court’s review of key components of the health care reform law, 100 emerging health care industry leaders last week heard the latest health care policy updates from policymakers in Washington, D.C.

Leadership Health Care (LHC) delegates from Nashville and other parts of the country visited the nation’s capital for the 10th consecutive year for briefings with lawmakers, Administration officials and professional Capitol Hill staff instrumental in writing, influencing and implementing health care policy. The agenda also included highly respected executives from industry payer and provider associations.

The trip occurred just prior to the Supreme Court’s historic review of the Affordable Care Act, and provided delegates with analysis of the case and implications of the potential ruling. Delegates also gained critical insights on health information technology (HIT), anticipated health care service cuts and the federal reimbursement outlook.

“This 10th anniversary delegation introduced Nashville’s emerging health care leaders to some of the top policy experts in the country,” said LHC Director Judith Byrd. “Nowhere else can such a diverse group of health care professionals access this much expertise.”

“The delegation provided attendees with unique insight into health care policy, knowledge that they can take home and immediately deploy in their work,” said Melissa Waddey, LHC chairwoman and LifePoint Hospitals senior director of Hospital Strategic Planning. “LHC is instrumental in shaping the next generation of Nashville’s health care leaders.”

The delegation included a 10-year anniversary celebration reception and dinner featuring Robert Gibbs, former White House press secretary and special advisor to President Barack Obama, as the keynote speaker. Gibbs shared insights on the polarized positions on the Affordable Care Act and the unprecedented effect of the November elections on the health policy landscape.

An initiative of the Nashville Health Care Council, the delegation to Washington is a signature LHC program. This year’s agenda included:

• U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
• U.S. Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
• U.S. Representative Jim Cooper (D-TN)
• U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-TN)
• Shelia Burke, Professor, Harvard University and Georgetown University, and Senior Public Policy Advisor, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz
• Jonathan Bush, Co-Founder and CEO, athenahealth
• Sheryl Coughlin, Head of Research, Deloitte Center for Health Solutions
• Rich Deem, Senior Vice President for Advocacy, American Medical Association (AMA)
• Lyle Denniston, SCOTUSblog Reporter, Professor and Author
• Elizabeth Falcone, Health Legislative Assistant, Office of U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA)
• Karen Ignagni, President and CEO, America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)
• Chip Kahn, President and CEO, Federation of American Hospitals (FAH)
• Ruth McDonald, Senior Legislative Assistant, Office of U.S. Representative Jim Cooper (D-TN)
• Anne Oswalt, Health Legislative Assistant, Office of U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-TN)
• Anne Phelps, Principal, Washington Council, Ernst & Young
• Monica Popp, Health Legislative Assistant, U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce
• Andrew Shin, Acting Director, Stakeholder Engagement, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

“Visiting Washington, D.C., with our emerging talent furthers LHC’s mission to cultivate future industry leaders,” said Nashville Health Care Council President Caroline Young. “These types of interactive opportunities not only provide education that benefits individuals, but also bolsters the health care industry’s future leadership as a whole and Nashville’s position as a health care industry capital.”

Attendees represented diverse sectors of Nashville’s leading health care industry, including hospital management, ambulatory care, pharmaceuticals, disease management, HIT, as well as professional services such as finance, law, communications and accounting.

A delegation scholarship was awarded to Baxter Lee, director of Corporate Development for Emdeon. LHC awards one scholarship per delegation to cultivate further the talent and potential of Nashville’s emerging health care leaders.

About Leadership Health Care
Celebrating 10 years of growth, Leadership Health Care (LHC) is an initiative of the Nashville Health Care Council founded in 2002. LHC fosters the next generation of health care leaders by providing educational and networking opportunities for over 550 motivated professionals. Learn more at www.leadershiphealthcare.com.