Annette V. James has over 25 years of senior level actuarial experience. She joined the NovaRest team after almost fourteen years as a regulatory health actuary with the Nevada Division of Insurance. Annette has extensive experience in monitoring the financial health of insurance companies, measuring the impact of health policy and health insurance reform, and the actuarial analysis of health rate filings. As Lead Actuary for the Nevada Division of Insurance, Annette was heavily involved in evaluating and monitoring the financial health of insurance carriers applying for licensure or operating in Nevada, analyzing potential mergers and acquisitions involving domestic health insurance carriers, and participating in risk-focused financial examination of health insurance carriers. As a member of a Governor-appointed, multi-agency task force, Annette worked with various stakeholders to develop policy recommendations relating to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act in Nevada, including the expansion of Medicaid, the implementation of a basic health program, the merger of the individual and small group markets, the state administration of the risk adjustment and transitional reinsurance programs and the administration of a state-based health insurance exchange. Annette also led the State’s effort to review options available to evaluate and improve the stability of the ACA individual health insurance market, and to evaluate and mitigate the impact of alternative health plans on the small group market. Annette’s experience also includes the actuarial review of commercial health insurance rates in the individual and group markets. Her current consulting activities focus on supporting state and federal insurance regulators. She is currently a Member of the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Actuaries, a member of the Health Practice Council of the American Academy of Actuaries, chair of the Health Equity Work Group of the American Academy of Actuaries, chair of the Health Committee of the Actuarial Standards Board, which sets standards for appropriate actuarial practice in the United States and is a frequent speaker at national actuarial conferences.
Contact: annette@novarest.com
Kevin Patterson, MPA, has served as Chief Executive Officer of Connect for Health Colorado since April of 2015. He previously served as chief administrative officer and interim chief of staff to Gov. John Hickenlooper and has an extensive history of public service. Kevin brings a strong understanding of local, state, and federal government and stakeholder engagement to this role. For his time at Connect for Health Colorado, Kevin has been focused on improving the customer experience so they can focus on health insurance with tax credits implications. Kevin has held many senior leadership roles for the city and county of Denver. He was elected to the Denver Board of Education in 2001 and 2005. Kevin graduated with a B.A. in Teaching from Sam Houston State University and holds both a Master’s of Public Administration and a Master’s of Urban Regional Planning from the University of Colorado at Denver. Kevin is known as a collaborative non-partisan problem solver for Colorado issues.
Contact: executivedirector@connectforhealthco.com
JoAnn Volk, M.A., is a research professor, founder, and co-director of the Center on Health Insurance Reforms (CHIR) at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy. At CHIR, she directs research, authors papers, and provides technical assistance on state and federal regulation and legislation governing private health insurance, including health insurance marketplaces under the Affordable Care Act. Prior to joining Georgetown, Ms. Volk represented the AFL-CIO before Congress and the Administration on a broad range of health care issues, including employer-sponsored coverage, Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare, health care quality and health care workforce issues. She also conducted health policy research while at Abt Associates, focusing on state-based efforts to cover the uninsured and high-risk pools, and served as an aide to the Speaker of the New York State Assembly. JoAnn holds an M.A. in policy studies from Johns Hopkins University, with a concentration in health policy.
Contact: joann.volk@georgetown.edu
Elizabeth Wroe, J.D., is a principal at Leavitt Partners based in Washington, D.C. Liz develops and manages complex, multi-sector alliances, and advises and informs clients on the impact of federal and state health care issues and how to effectively engage with policymakers. She also provides strategic counsel to emerging business, investment, and technology players in the health care sector committed to empowering consumers with new tools to improve health outcomes and reduce costs. Liz most recently served as Chief Counsel and Director of Outreach and Coalitions for Chairman Lamar Alexander of the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labors, and Pensions (HELP). During her time at the committee, Liz served as a senior advisor to Senate Republicans during their effort to reform the Affordable Care Act and led HELP Committee efforts to develop bipartisan legislation to stabilize the individual insurance market, expand the use of state innovation waivers, and give consumers more flexible health plan options. Liz also drafted mental health parity and funding provisions included in the 21st Century Cures Act (P.L. 114-255). Liz was previously Health Policy Director for Ranking Member Judd Gregg of the United States Senate Committee on the Budget. In this role, Liz led Committee efforts related to the Affordable Care Act, including conducting budget reconciliation compliance analysis and litigating issues before Senate parliamentarians. Liz developed and drafted policies enacted in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (PL 109-171), FDA Amendments Act of 2007 (PL 110-85), Michelle’s Law (PL 110–381) and the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (PL 111-353). In between her service in the United States Senate, Liz worked in the private sector managing complex policy and advocacy efforts. Liz specializes in private health insurance, Food and Drug Administration-regulated products, fiscal policy, digital health, and biodefense. Liz is also a subject matter expert in Senate rules and procedure; and federal authorizing, budget, appropriations, and rulemaking processes.
Contact: elizabeth.wroe@leavittpartners.com
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