Ohio Department of Aging Director Ursel McElroy Selected for Federal Healthcare Advisory Committee

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio Department of Aging (AGE) Director Ursel McElroy has been selected to serve on the Healthcare Advisory Committee.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the members of the Healthcare Advisory Committee, a new federal advisory body comprised of leaders from across the healthcare system to provide expert advice on improving, strengthening and modernizing U.S. healthcare.

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.

"This Administration is bringing leaders together to tackle the challenges facing American patients and the health care system, putting prevention front and center," said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. "This committee will help us shift from a sick care system to a true health care system by delivering practical solutions that drive real change."

"We received an overwhelming response from highly qualified candidates across the country," said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. "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."

Committee Members

The following individuals will serve on the Healthcare Advisory Committee:

• 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

Members were selected through a competitive review process that drew more than 400 nominations nationwide.

About the Healthcare Advisory Committee

The Committee will provide non-binding recommendations to inform federal healthcare policy and program administration.

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.

Members will serve two-year terms and will meet regularly throughout the year, with meetings open to the public consistent with federal transparency requirements. The Committee is authorized under the Public Health Service Act and operates in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

Next Steps

The Committee will convene its first meeting later this year. Additional information, including meeting notices and opportunities for public engagement, will be published in the Federal Register and on the CMS website.

About Director Ursel McElroy

Director McElroy is a leader and visionary in the field of aging, hosting and planning Ohio's first Policy Summit on Healthy Aging, the state's first Elder Abuse Research Symposium, and the Elder Financial Exploitation Symposium. She has presented at prominent events such as the White House Conference on Aging and is the current President of ADvancing States Board of Directors, a nonpartisan association of state government agencies that represents the nation's state and territorial agencies on aging and disabilities.

"Aging is our shared reality," Director McElroy said. "To truly meet the needs of our aging populations, we must reimagine care systems. By leveraging innovation and designing systems that prioritize prevention, coordination, and accessibility, we can create a future where longer lives are not just about more years, but better years.​"

"I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Ohio and the Aging network at the federal level," added Director McElroy. "The committee's work will ensure that we don't just react to change, but that we lead and shape it. I look forward to collaborating with Secretary Kennedy, Dr. Oz, and my fellow members to advance solutions that support the next generation of older adults in living longer, healthier, and more empowered lives."

You can find Director McElroy's professional biography on the AGE website.

About AGE - The Ohio Department of Aging serves and advocates for the needs of Ohioans age 60 and older, as well as their families, caregivers and communities. Programs include home and community based long-term supports and services, as well as initiatives to promote health and wellness throughout the lifespan. Visit https://www.aging.ohio.gov.