Hospital Leader to Know: Nancy Ann DeParle, Head of the White House Office of Health Reform

As head of the White House Office of Health Reform, Nancy Ann DeParle sits in one of the most influential seats in the healthcare industry. As hospitals prepare to adjust to massive changes to the healthcare system starting next year, Ms. DeParle uses her experience in the private sector and the Clinton health-reform laws to shape the future of healthcare in America.

At 36, Ms. DeParle was named associate director for health and personnel at the Office of Management and Budget, where she served as the OMB's representative on healthcare reform during former President Bill Clinton's first term. In 1994, she was named one of Time Magazine's top 50 future leaders.

Even though the Clinton health plan was ultimately defeated, Ms. DeParle has fulfilled the destiny the magazine predicted for her. In July 1997, she moved to the Department of Health and Human Services as deputy director of the Health Care Financing Administration, now known as CMS. There, she met the woman who would eventually join her in a "natural alliance" fighting for health reform: current HHS Secretary Kathleen Sibelius.

Ms. DeParle left government in 2001 to undertake a fellowship at Harvard's Institute of Politics and then moved to the private sector as a senior adviser to JPMorgan. She has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, a board member for Medco Health Solutions, Boston Scientific and Legacy Hospital Partners and a commissioner of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission.

Ms. DeParle's current position was originally meant for ex-Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D). When he withdrew, she headed to the White House alongside Kathleen Sebelius, where she helped White House aides negotiate with lawmakers, insurance companies and interest groups. After more than a year of work, the House passed the healthcare reform bill without a public option on March 21, 2010, legally requiring Americans to carry health insurance and insurance companies to cover them.  

Ms. DeParle's experience in the private sector means that she understands the point of view of insurance companies and interest groups — whether or not they are ultimately satisfied by the bill.

Ms. DeParle earned her JD from Harvard Law School in 1983.

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