NASHVILLE - Leadership Health Care (LHC), an initiative of the Nashville Health Care Council, led its eighth annual delegation to Washington, D.C., March 24-25.

Nearly 100 LHC delegates traveled to D.C. immediately following last Sunday's passage of sweeping changes to the nation's health care system. LHC delegates were among the first to hear the inside view on the new law from two dozen policy leaders. Delegation speakers included National Coordinator for Health IT David Blumenthal, M.D., members of the Tennessee Congressional Delegation, Politico.com, America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), American Medical Association, Federation of American Hospitals, PhRMA, AARP, National Governors Association and more.

"Exposing Nashville's emerging health care leaders to the nation's top policy leaders at this crucial time demonstrates the true strength of the Nashville health care cluster," said LHC Director Judith Byrd. "Our delegates were among the first in the country to have access to these thought leaders and officials."

“The D.C. delegation provides participants with firsthand insights from policymakers while presenting a rare opportunity for delegates to share their own perspectives with Washington," said LHC Board Chair Bo Bartholomew, also president, CEO & founder of PharmMD.

The 2010 agenda featured variety of public officials including:

U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
U.S. Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health IT, Department of Health and Human Services
U.S. Representative Jim Cooper (D-TN)
U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-TN)
Ryan Long, Health Care Counsel, U.S. Representative Joe Barton (R-TX)
Wendell Primus, Chief Health Advisor, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
Erika Smith, Professional Staff, Committee on Energy and Commerce
U.S. Representative Vic Snyder (D-AR)
U.S. Representative Zach Wamp (R-TN)
Speakers also included the following industry and trade association representatives:
Gary Bacher, Senior Vice President, America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)
Mark Blumenthal, Editor & Publisher, Pollster.com
Trudi Lewis Boyd, Managing Director, Public Affairs, Financial Dynamics (FTI Consulting)
Rich Deem, Senior Vice President for Advocacy, American Medical Association (AMA)
Shane Doucet, Senior Policy Advisor, Locke Lord Strategies
Chris Frates, Reporter, Politico.com
Chip Kahn, President, Federation of American Hospitals
Ann Kempski, Director of Health Policy, Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
John Rother, Executive Vice President for Policy and Strategy, AARP
Matt Salo, Director Health and Human Services Committee, National Governors Association (NGA)
Keith Snider, Senior Health Policy Analyst, Health Policy Source
Steve Wojcik, Vice President of Public Policy, National Business Group on Health
Mike Woody, Director of Federal Affairs, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was confirmed to address the delegates, but was forced to cancel due to travel with President Obama.
"The delegation serves as an opportunity to introduce the next generation of Nashville health care leaders to the health care policy environment and provide insight on how to participate in the policy landscape," said Nashville Health Care Council President Caroline Young. "This delegation works to further LHC’s mission to cultivate the talent of health care professionals into the health care leaders of tomorrow."

Attendees represented the diverse sectors of Nashville’s health care industry, including hospital management, outpatient care, outpatient care, managed care, disease management and health care IT as well as professional support services such as legal, finance and accounting firms.
Sponsors of this year's delegation were Adams and Reese LLP; Bass, Berry & Sims; Bradley Arant Boult Cummings; Cryer Health; Deloitte; Ernst & Young; eMids; Gullett Sanford Robinson & Martin; Jarrard Phillips Cate & Hancock; the Nashville Health Care Council; Raymond James Health Care Investment Banking Group; and Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis.

ABOUT LEADERSHIP HEALTH CARE

Leadership Health Care (LHC) was formed in 2002 as an initiative of the Nashville Health Care Council to foster the next generation of health care leaders by creating educational and networking opportunities for members.

The organization's mission is to cultivate the talent of health care professionals into the health care leaders of tomorrow. LHC seeks to provide professionals with ongoing opportunities to develop their knowledge of the health care industry through educational events and networking opportunities that:

Foster the next generation of health care leaders and entrepreneurs.

Further Nashville’s position as the nation’s capital for health care expertise.

To Become a 2010 LHC Member, Click HERE

LEADERSHIP HEALTH CARE ACTIVITIES

LHC events include roundtable discussions with industry executives, industry tours, networking receptions and a board-level mentoring initiative. In addition, LHC hosts delegates to Washington, D.C. and New York where participants meet with senior level government leaders and industry decision-makers.

The 2010 Delegation to Washington, D.C. and the 2011 bi-annual LHC Delegation to Wall Street will each provide up to 100 attendees with the opportunity to meet and connect with top health care policymakers, health and financial executives, industry analysts and other dealmakers in the nation's policy and financing capitals.

LHC also offers a Fundamentals Series of back-to-basics discussions on key health care industry topics, such as CMS 101 and Who's Driving Health Care Reform? Further membership opportunities include Board and committee appointments and a board-level mentoring program.

Recent LHC events have featured such nationally-recognized health care leaders as:

U.S. Deputy HHS Secretary Alex Azar
HCA Chairman Jack O. Bovender, Jr.
Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen
White House Office of Health Reform Director Nancy-Ann DeParle
Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D.
Former U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich
Healthways President Ben R. Leedle, Jr.
NYSE Euronext CEO Duncan Niederauer
Meharry President & CEO Dr. Wayne Riley
Community Health Systems Chairman, President & CEO Wayne T. Smith
HHS Counselor for Health Reform Neera Tanden
U.S. Representatives Blackburn and Cooper
U.S. Senators Alexander, Corker and Wyden

LHC collage