Health & Fitness
Health and Fitness
Health and Fitness
Fri, January 9, 2009
Thu, January 8, 2009 Renowned Consumer Advocate Joins Universal American
RYE BROOK, N.Y.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Universal American Corp. (NYSE: UAM) today announced that Robert M. Hayes, President and General Counsel of the Medicare Rights Center (MRC) since 2002, is joining the company as its Senior Vice President for Health Quality.
Richard Barasch, Chairman and CEO of Universal American, said, "Bob will continue to do for our members what he's done his entire life -- help others. With Universal American, his focus will be on the delivery of quality health care to our nation's oldest, sickest and frailest citizens through a coordinated care system embraced by their providers. As we transition to network based products, our members will benefit from his support of our Healthy Collaboration model.
"Bob cares deeply about people, understands their needs, and advocates on their behalf on such a granular level that few can match his effectiveness in shaping policies that impact whole populations," Barasch added. "Under his leadership, MRC grew from a local service center employing a handful of staff and volunteers to a national organization of more than 50 staff and 300 volunteers."
In accepting the position, Hayes emphasized his desire to put his words into action.
"I've been talking about care coordination for years. This is my chance to do it," said Hayes. "I have been convinced that Universal American is committed to making that model of health care delivery for America's seniors work in communities across the country."
Hayes added that this opportunity presented itself at the ideal time.
"Health reform is coming. The time to deliver more efficient, more coordinated care is now. As Congress and the new Administration define strategies for the delivery of quality health, the Universal American care coordination model is one they should embrace."
Barasch added: "Our country now has an opportunity to bring all stakeholders to the table and build a better health care system. I'm convinced the nation is ready to have that conversation. A starting point for the dialogue must be a review of strategies that have a proven track record of success and that can be brought to scale, including Universal American's collaborative care model, and input from thought leaders like Bob Hayes."
Prior to his work at the Medicare Rights Center, Hayes led the National and New York Coalitions for the Homeless from 1979 to 1989, and practiced law with firms in New York and Maine, including Sullivan & Cromwell and O'Melveny & Myers. He is a MacArthur Foundation fellow and has received honorary degrees from 10 colleges and universities. He graduated from Georgetown University and the New York University School of Law.
About Universal American Corp.
Universal American's family of companies offers a diverse range of health care products for Medicare beneficiaries, including health insurance, managed care, and prescription drug benefits. Its companies are collectively among the leading providers of Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug plans in the U.S., as over two million seniors rely on Universal American's products for their health or prescription drug coverage. For more information on Universal American, please visit our website at [ www.UniversalAmerican.com ].
