The seventeenth annual Elected Officials Retreat explored the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Because of the breadth and complexity of the ACA, the Institute narrowed the focus of the Retreat to the implementation of the ACA. The 2013 Retreat prepared regional leaders to better understand and communicate effectively about the provisions of the ACA to their organizations and constituents.
The Retreat began with speaker Rima Cohen from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In her role as Counselor for Health Policy to Secretary Sebelius, Ms. Cohen served on the front lines of health policy and of the implementation of the ACA. During her presentation, she discussed the key components of the ACA, including Medicaid expansion and insurance exchanges.
The next session featured remarks from speakers on the issue of Medicaid expansion in Pennsylvania. Dr. Carter Price from RAND presented on the economics of Medicaid expansion in Pennsylvania, and state officials, both elected and administrative, provided their perspectives on the topic.
In the evening, the Retreat focused on the implementation of the federally facilitated exchange. Pat Howard, principal at Deloitte, explained the appearance of the exchange and its impact on consumers, employers, and insurers. With the health care and insurance industry representing such a significant portion of our local economy, this conversation will be crucial to SWPA's ability to prepare for the opening on the exchanges.
The second part of the Retreat focused on communicating about the ACA with constituents and stakeholders. David Shribman and Tony Norman of the Post-Gazette and Jim Roddey and Joe Mistick presented on best practices to communicate about the elements of the ACA and their impact on the Pittsburgh region.
Coleman Award Winners
Please note that the titles and organizations listed reflect the position held by the awardee when he/she received the award.
- Philip B. Hallen, President emeritus, Falk Foundation
- Linda McKenna Boxx, Chairman, Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation