AmeriHealth Caritas Gathers Leaders from Government, Health Care, Business and Academia in our Nation’s Capital to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Medicaid

Event kicks off a national dialogue on the best path forward to ensure health care access for the poor and chronically ill

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AmeriHealth Caritas, a national leader in Medicaid managed care and other integrated health care solutions, announced that today it is hosting a full-day forum at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the signing of Medicaid into law and to discuss the creation of a new health care paradigm for the next generation. The forum provides a unique opportunity for open, engaging and diverse discussion from noted experts with the participation of more than 160 thought leaders from the health care industry, government, business and academia.

Throughout the day, thought leaders will mark the achievements and challenges of the Medicaid program and discuss the best path forward to assuring access to quality and affordable health care. Discussions will help identify health care solutions for the future that are grounded in innovation, technology and policy. Featured panel speakers include:

• Governor Jan Brewer, Former Governor of Arizona
• Senator Bob Casey, Jr., U.S. Senator, Pennsylvania
• Congressman John Conyers, Jr., U.S. Congressman, Michigan
• Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel, Joint Appointment, Wharton School and School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Founding Chair, Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health; Former Special Advisor on health policy, Office of Management and Budget; Oncologist (MD, Harvard Medical School)
• Doris Kearns Goodwin, Presidential Historian and Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author
• Daniel J. Hilferty, President and CEO, Independence Health Group
• Elizabeth Holmes, Founder and CEO, Theranos
• Governor Michael O. Leavitt, Former Governor of Utah and Founder and Chairman, Leavitt Partners
• Governor Terry McAuliffe, Governor of Virginia
• Governor Ronnie Musgrove, Former Governor of Mississippi and Chair, National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
• Senator Tim Scott, U.S. Senator, South Carolina
• Senator Pat Toomey, U.S. Senator, Pennsylvania
• Paul A. Tufano, Chairman and CEO, AmeriHealth Caritas
• Senator Ron Wyden, U.S. Senator, Oregon

“Removing barriers to health care and services for those most in need is a top priority for AmeriHealth Caritas,” said Paul A. Tufano, chairman and CEO of AmeriHealth Caritas. “I’m confident that this event will provide a forum for us to establish a dialogue around creating a new health care paradigm that ensures quality health care and services are accessible regardless of where someone lives, how much they earn or their age.”

During the past 50 years, health care in the United States has changed dramatically. At its outset, the Medicaid program was envisioned as a health care safety net for those most in need. Today, it is a significant component of our nation’s health care landscape that provides economic stability for Americans, including the working poor. The Medicaid program provides essential health coverage to those who need it, while achieving new standards in quality and continually striving to reduce health disparities and effectively control escalating costs. Tremendous opportunity exists to leverage innovation and technology to remove health care barriers and improve access, delivery and quality of care.

“It is our privilege to host an event that brings together thought leaders who are committed to solving the issues facing health care for our country, and specifically health care for those who are most in need,” said Tufano. “We are all facing a changing health care landscape, and by collaborating with our government, business, health care and academia partners, we will find new ways to create healthier communities by bringing innovation and technology to our members and providers.”

About AmeriHealth Caritas

AmeriHealth Caritas is part of the Independence Health Group in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. AmeriHealth Caritas is one of the nation’s leaders in health care solutions for those most in need. Operating in 16 states and the District of Columbia, AmeriHealth Caritas serves more than 6.6 million Medicaid, Medicare and CHIP members through its integrated managed care products, pharmaceutical benefit management and specialty pharmacy services, behavioral health services and other administrative services. Headquartered in Philadelphia, AmeriHealth Caritas is a mission-driven organization with more than 30 years of experience serving low-income and chronically ill populations. For more information, visit www.amerihealthcaritas.com.

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AmeriHealth Caritas

Media:

Amy Knapp, 1-215-863-6548

aknapp@amerihealthcaritas.com

or

Megan McMonagle, 1-484-888-4068

mmcmonagle@briancom.com

Source: AmeriHealth Caritas