HHS, CMS name experts tapped to improve, modernize health care system

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have announced the members of the Healthcare Advisory Committee to provide advice on improving, strengthening and modernizing health care.

The committee will advise HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz on ways to improve how care is financed and delivered across Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program and the Health Insurance Marketplace.

“We received an overwhelming response from highly qualified candidates across the country,” Oz said. “These members bring deep expertise across care delivery, financing, innovation and patient engagement. Their insights will help us advance higher-quality care, reduce administrative burden and strengthen the sustainability of our programs, while supporting efforts to transform our healthcare system and restore a stronger focus on patients.”

HHS and CMS selected members through a competitive review process that drew more than 400 nominations nationwide. Members will serve two-year terms and will meet regularly throughout the year, with their first meeting set to take place later this year.

The members are:

• Robert Bessler, MD
• Kimberly Brandt, JD (ex officio)
• Sebastian Caliri
• Stephanie Carlton (ex officio)
• David Carmouche, MD
• Elizabeth M. Fago
• Clive K. Fields, MD
• William J. Gassen, JD
• Jenni Gudapati, PhD
• Valerie D. Huhn
• Dennis Laraway
• Dan Liljenquist, JD
• Andrew Lynch, PhD
• Ursel J. McElroy
• Kyu Rhee, MD
• Tony Robbins
• Russ Thomas, JD
• Linda Thomas-Hemak, MD

Over its term, the committee will focus on:

• Developing actionable policy solutions to prevent and better manage chronic disease;
• Advancing accountability for safety and outcomes while reducing unnecessary administrative burden;
• Expanding the use of real-time data to support a higher quality of care, speed up claims processing and improve quality measurement;
• Enhancing care for vulnerable populations, including those served by Medicaid; and
• Strengthening Medicare Advantage sustainability, including modernizing risk adjustment and quality measurement.

Related: HHS, CMS seek to "unite best minds in health care."