The NC Institute of Medicine (NCIOM) Health Access Study Group heard reports on the impact of the national health reform law on various state health care programs at a meeting held on May 7, 2010. NCIOM President and CEO Pam Silberman, JD, DrPH, presented an update on national health reform, along with state officials who evaluated the impact of health care reform on four state programs:
- North Carolina’s High Risk Pool, led by Michael Keough, Executive Director, Inclusive Health;
- State Health Plan (SHP), led by Carol Durrell, Director of Product Development, SHP;
- NC Department of Insurance (NCDOI), led by Jean Holliday, CPM, HIA, Regulatory Project Manager, Life and Health Division, NCDOI; and
- NC Division of Medical Assistance (DMA), led by Steve Owen, Chief Business Operation Office, DMA, NC Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), and Tara Larson, MAEd, Chief Clinical Operations Officer, DMA, DHHS.
In 2008, the NC General Assembly directed the NCIOM to convene a panel “to study issues related to access to appropriate and affordable health care for all North Carolinians.” Last year lawmakers directed the NCIOM to continue the work of the Study Group, which includes monitoring federal health-related legislation and its impact on “cost, quality, and access to health care” in NC.
NCMS EVP, CEO Robert W. Seligson serves on the Study Group, along with physicians L. Allen Dobson Jr., MD, FAAFP (Co-Chair); David Bruton, MD; NC Rep. Bob England, MD (D, Rutherford); John Perry III, MD, MS; and Steve Wegner, JD, MD.
