GIC’s Newest Commissioners Bring Diverse Perspectives at Critical Time
Governor Deval Patrick recently appointed four Commissioners of the GIC. They join at a critical time and their diverse perspectives will be instrumental as the GIC undertakes the all-health plan procurement, implementation of Massachusetts health care cost containment and federal health care reform legislation, mental health benefit carve-out procurement, the addition of new groups, and tackles ongoing concerns about rising health care costs and tight state budgets. Joining the Board are Eileen P. McAnneny, Director of Public Policy for Fidelity Investments; Melvin A. Kleckner, Town of Brookline Town Administrator; Edward A. Kelly, President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts; and Timothy D. Sullivan, Ed.D, Vice President of the Massachusetts Teachers Association.
Eileen P. McAnneny fills one of the GIC’s public member seats. As Director of Public Policy for Fidelity Investments, she tracks and analyzes tax, health care and employment legislation in all fifty states. Before joining Fidelity in January, Ms. McAnneny was the Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and the Associate General Counsel for Associated Industries of Massachusetts, the state’s largest employer trade association. She held this position for thirteen years during which time she established the AIM Employer Advisory Group to develop health care policies and helped achieve business consensus on payment reform legislation. “As a long-time employer advocate, I can say unequivocally that health care purchasers are looking to increase the value of their health care spending and to make sure that their employees have access to high-quality, efficient and effective health care,” said Ms. McAnneny. “Using data, employers and employees can make informed decisions about the health care they purchase to better direct their money to the best providers, thereby improving the health care delivery system. The GIC’s health plan procurement aligns with these goals and should help move the Massachusetts health care delivery system forward.”
Melvin A. Kleckner fills one of the two Massachusetts Municipal Association seats on the Commission. Prior to becoming the Town Administrator of Brookline in 2010, he was the Winchester Town Manager for six years and before that, the Town Administrator of Belmont for 13 years. He has held several positions with the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA), which provides health insurance to many municipalities. “The new RFP for health plans represents an innovative and bold step for the GIC,” Mr. Kelckner said. “I support the efforts of our Executive Director in getting ahead of the requirements of the new health care reform law and compelling the carriers to become more creative in controlling costs. I will serve as a conduit to the Commission on the impacts of this new approach.”
Edward A. Kelly fills the new municipal public safety seat on the Commission. He became the President of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts in June of 2011, and at age 38 is the youngest member ever elected to that position. He is a fourth generation Boston Firefighter, working at Tower Ladder 17 in the Back Bay, and is a U.S. Air Force veteran. “Firefighters have unique health insurance needs given the danger we face with every call,” said Edward Kelly. “I look forward to working with my fellow Commissioners to ensure that Massachusetts health plans stay competitive and provide the best possible care to their members.”
Timothy P. Sullivan, Ed.D. fills the Commission’s Massachusetts Teachers Association seat and has been the Vice President of the MTA since 2010. Prior to this, he served as President and Vice President of the Brockton Education Association for a period of 16 years. A middle school reading teacher and computer lab manager, Dr. Sullivan taught in the Brockton Middle School from 1987 to 2006, with one year at a Brockton elementary school. “My goal is to ensure that the proper reforms are put in place so that GIC participants receive high-quality health care while providers must be encouraged to improve the delivery of care and contain costs through a variety of measures, such as early intervention and electronic medical records,” said Dr. Sullivan. “Any changes made should not facilitate shifting costs to employees.”
The GIC looks forward to working with our new Commissioners. Thank you also to Professor David Cutler for his many years of service on the Commission. Dr. Cutler is leaving to join the board of the Health Policy Commission, and we wish him well.
This information provided by the Group Insurance Commission.
