Medicaid Health Plans of America Appoints Aetna Executive as New Board Chairman

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The board of directors of Medicaid Health Plans of America (MHPA), the leading trade association solely focused on representing Medicaid health plans, appointed Mr. Frank J. Siano, vice president of business development, Medicaid, at Aetna Health Care Inc. as their new chairman.  Mr. Siano takes over for outgoing board chair Michael Rashid, president and CEO of AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies, whose term ended in December 2013. Ms. Kearline D. Jones, vice president of government relations and compliance at Health Partners Plans, will step into Mr. Siano's former position as vice chair of MHPA's board.

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Comprised of appointed representatives from its member plans, MHPA's board jointly oversees the activities of MHPA and governs MHPA by establishing its policies and objectives. The board is also central in setting health policy for MHPA. Effective immediately, Mr. Siano will have the traditional duties of chairman, including presiding over MHPA board meetings and acting as MHPA's spokesperson. Mr. Siano will continue to serve as a member of MHPA's executive committee which reviews business matters of the association and sets the agenda for board of directors meetings. Should Mr. Siano be unavailable to fulfill his duties as chairman, Ms. Jones, as vice chair of MHPA's board, will serve as chairman. Ms. Jones also will assume the chairmanship in the event a motion involving Mr. Siano is being discussed. In addition to these roles, Ms. Jones will also serve as a member of MHPA's executive committee.

"I'm both proud and excited to be leading MHPA's board at this time of sweeping change in health care," said Mr. Siano. "Medicaid managed care can and will play a big role in helping provide access to quality health care for our nation's disadvantaged while ensuring efficient use of limited resources and the board and I will work tirelessly to that end."

"The events of the last two years have presented Medicaid managed care organizations with a rare chance to make quality health care more accessible, and I am pleased that we have positioned the industry to seize this opportunity," said Mr. Rashid, the outgoing chairman. "Frank is an excellent choice to help the Medicaid industry continue to thrive in the constantly evolving health care landscape."

"MHPA and the Medicaid health plan industry are fortunate that Frank will be able to implement his vision, one that was formed through many years of dedicated service on MHPA's board and his work at Aetna," said Jeff Myers, MHPA's president and CEO. "Via his leadership and strategic direction, we will be able not only to tackle the many issues our member companies are currently facing – from repeal of the health insurer tax to coordinating care for the dual eligibles – but also to forge ahead into uncharted territories where we know we can make a difference in the lives of Medicaid beneficiaries."

About Medicaid Health Plans of America
Medicaid Health Plans of America (MHPA) is the leading national trade association solely focused on representing the universe of Medicaid health plans. Working on the behalf of over 120 for-profit and non-profit member health plans that serve over 15 million lives, MHPA provides advocacy, research and organized forums to support policies that enhance the delivery of quality health care to Americans in need. For more information, visit http://www.mhpa.org.

Contact: Joe Reblando
[email protected] 
202-857-5722

SOURCE Medicaid Health Plans of America