5 Things Virginia: Capitol insiders, How COVID has changed us, Plan-provider relations DJ Wilson | Apr 20, 2021
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Next week is our 2021 Virginia State of Reform Health Policy Conference with more than 60 speakers curated for you. These are some of the most important leaders in Virginia health care and health policy.
This newsletter features things that we think are important to watch. And, our Convening Panel has told us the things that they think are important to watch, and have featured them on the Topical Agenda next week. So, it makes sense that we feature some of the agenda topics next week because they reflect some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities faced in Virginia health care.
1. Q&A: Karen Kimsey, DMAS Director
Karen Kimsey, Director of the Virginia Dept. of Medical Assistance Services, recently joined me for a conversation on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, the next steps for improving the safety net, and DMAS’s plans to get beneficiaries vaccinated. She also described a recent health issue that brought her in direct contact with the challenges of a health care system she helps maintain and regulate.
Kimsey says her health experience has made her even more passionate about making sure people are able to access coverage. But she says, “It is not only being able to gain access to health coverage, but it’s also the ability to use the coverage, knowing what to do, and being able to advocate for yourself.”