VSP Vision Care Appoints Cecil Swamidoss to Director of Federal Policy

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. and WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- VSP® Vision Care, the nation's largest HMO by membership, announced that it has appointed Cecil Swamidoss as director of federal policy.  Based in Washington, D.C., Swamidoss will help develop and implement VSP's Federal lobbying efforts to ensure the company's 55 million members will retain access to stand-alone vision care services under the new national healthcare reform legislation.

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Swamidoss has more than 10 years of Federal legislative experience having worked in Senators Herb Kohl (D-WI), John Breaux (D-LA), and Chuck Grassley's (R-IA) offices as Senior Counsel and/or assistant dealing with national healthcare policy issues, Swamidoss has some of the most extensive healthcare regulatory and legislative experience in the nation including developing policies around the marketing and sales of Medicare Advantage plans, as well as the development of the Physician Sunshine Act, the Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act and Medicare Modernization Act.  Most recently, Swamidoss served as vice president of Dutko Worldwide.

"Cecil brings a unique understanding of how to work with both Republicans and Democrats in government," said Thomas Fessler, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of VSP Global(SM). "Eyecare is an important component in healthcare reform. Cecil will focus on supporting good policy that is in the best interest of the nation's overall eye health and wellness needs."

Over the past few years, VSP has increased its focus and attention on Federal healthcare policy initiatives, having worked closely with Alston & Bird, a D.C. lobbying firm.  VSP is bringing Swamidoss on to drive its Washington, D.C.-focused efforts.

"VSP has a long and proven track record of promoting healthy outcomes for both patients and the companies they work for.  This is an important story to tell, and one that legislators in Washington, D.C. need to hear," added Swamidoss.  "While the healthcare reform package has been passed and signed into law, there are still opportunities to protect the one-in-six Americans VSP covers with stand-alone vision care benefits.  It's in the country's best interests that not-for-profit health insurers like VSP are included in the qualified exchanges."

Swamidoss received a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) from George Washington University, and a law degree (J.D.) from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.  He received his Bachelor's degree from University of Michigan.  

About VSP Global

VSP Global includes VSP Vision Care, the largest not-for-profit vision benefits and services company in the United States with 55 million members; Marchon® Eyewear Inc., one of the world's largest manufacturers, designers and distributors of quality fashion and technologically-advanced eyewear and sunwear; Eyefinity®/Officemate® which offer innovative solutions and the premier management software and technology to improve overall practice management and patient experience; VSP Labs, industry leaders in new technologies, production processes, service and logistics.

Since 1997, VSP has provided more than 603,000 low-income, uninsured children with free eyecare. Through relationships including those with the American Diabetes Association and Prevent Blindness America, VSP promotes the importance of annual eye exams for maintaining eye health and overall wellness.

SOURCE VSP Vision Care