Jim Frogue Serves as Host for the 3rd Annual Member Meeting on "Creating a 21st Century Medicaid System"

On September 18, 2007 CHT hosted our 3rd Annual, “Creating a 21st Century Medicaid System,” event at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. It featured some of the most thoughtful, innovative, and transformational leaders in the country discussing how Medicaid can produce better health outcomes at lower cost.

The day kicked off with opening remarks from CHT Founder Newt Gingrich. Newt reminded the audience that there are many brilliant and successful new health policy practices evolving around the country. We shouldn’t be distracted by the incessantly negative chatter coming out of the political class in Washington, DC. We at CHT are excited about developments around the country and are thrilled to help showcase at least a few of them. Problems are being solved virtually everywhere except inside the Washington beltway.

Minnesota Governor and chairman of the National Governors Association Tim Pawlenty delivered the keynote address following Newt. Governor Pawlenty outlined the ambitious list of action items that his administration is pursuing. That list includes initiatives near and dear to the heart of CHT – transparency of cost and quality, an aggressive push for electronic medical records, and the pursuit of market based reforms.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush addressed our event by live videoconference immediately after lunch. These were his first public comments since leaving office in January on the Medicaid reforms he championed. Governor Bush discussed his push for more competition and accountability in Florida’s Medicaid program. He emphasized the need to prioritize individual health outcomes which are being stimulated by Enhanced Benefit Accounts that reward compliant behaviors.

We also heard remarks from four particularly transformational state officials – Arizona Medicaid Director Tony Rodgers, Florida state representative Aaron Bean, Kentucky health secretary Mark Birdwhistell, and Indiana health secretary Mitch Roob. All of these leaders are demonstrating commitment to a high tech, futuristic, results-oriented Medicaid system.

The Gallup Polling Organization released their second annual survey of people on Medicaid about their attitudes toward healthcare consumerism. 415 respondents indicated a strong bias toward a new Medicaid that actively promotes wellness and prevention and includes financial incentives to improved health outcomes.