Marilyn Tavenner
Marilyn Tavenner was recently named President and CEO of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). Prior to joining AHIP, Ms. Tavenner served as administrator/principal deputy administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) from 2010-2015. Prior to her appointment to CMS, she served as Secretary of Health and Human Resources in the cabinet of Governor Tim Kaine from 2006-2010. From 1981-2005 she was employed by the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) beginning as a nurse at Richmond-based Johnston-Willis Hospital and eventually becoming the Chief Executive Officer in 1993. In 2001, she became President of HCA’s Central Atlantic Division, and was later appointed Group President of Outpatient Services before resigning from HCA in December of 2005. She earned both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her Masters in Health Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Marilyn led CMS work to implement the Affordable Care Act which included the development and implementation of major health insurance reforms across the country as well as establishing affordable health insurance options for over 11.5 million individuals through the state and federal marketplaces and the expansion of Medicaid in 28 states and DC. She also led the implementation of innovative programs and delivery system models aimed at reducing costs and improving quality. During Marilyn’s tenure, the country experienced historically low growth in overall healthcare spending, extending solvency of the Medicare Trust Fund to 2030.
As President and CEO of AHIP, Marilyn leads the national association that is the unified voice for the evolving health insurance industry. AHIP members provide health and supplemental benefits to 200 million Americans through employer-sponsored coverage, the individual insurance market, and public programs. Marilyn directs the industry’s advocacy agenda in Washington and the states as AHIP members tackle the challenges facing consumers and the broader health care system. For the past four years, Modern Healthcare has recognized Ms. Tavenner as one of the 100 most influential people in health care in her roles at CMS and at AHIP.
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
