Robert Hayes Brings Expertise and Experience to Health Quality Position
RYE BROOK, N.Y., Jan 08, 2009 (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.
SOURCE: Universal American Corp.
The Equity Group Inc.
Linda Latman, 212-836-9609
www.theequitygroup.com
