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SCRANTON — U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright announced Monday his new initiative to address health care in the U. S. — a roundtable of community members and leaders directly impacted by health care legislation to discuss and debate the Affordable Care Act and offer recommendations on how to improve the ACA.
“I have enlisted a number of distinguished members of our community to participate in a Health Care/ACA roundtable group,” Cartwright said in an emailed news release. “Members of the group include medical professionals, business owners, representatives from patient advocacy groups, and insurance company professionals, and each will bring a unique perspective on the topic. This will allow legislators to understand the issues facing the health care landscape from all angles.”
Cartwright, D-Moosic, said the roundtable format is meant to encourage discussion, debate and conversation among a diverse group of professionals in order to recommend sustainable solutions to strengthen our health care system. The outcomes from the panel will be shared with other members of Congress as part of ongoing work to reform and refine the ACA.
Cartwright said the roundtable was formed because health care is a complex national issue and is one of the few issues that has a direct impact on Americans young and old, regardless of socioeconomic status, race, gender or ability. As such, he said setting health policy requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach.
“I am eager to begin the roundtable meetings early next month, and I look forward to the lively conversation that will ensue from such an accomplished and passionate group of people,” Cartwright said. “Going forward, I am optimistic about the impact advisory groups can have on our national conversation surrounding health care policy.”
Members of the roundtable are:
• Donna Barbetti, president, NEPA Dietetic Association
• Eugene Bartoli, principal and executive vice president, AssuredPartners Insurance, Wilkes-Barre
• Dr. Matthew Berger, director of geriatric psychiatry, Moses Taylor Hospital
• Denise Cesare, former CEO of Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania
• Dr. Nicholas Colangelo, CEO, Clearbrook Treatment Centers
• Peter Cooper, president and CEO, Lexus of Lehigh Valley
• Mark Dodel, BSN, MBA, retired RN
• Dr. Robert Gan, DMD
• Dr. Jonathan Hosey, chief of neurology, St. Luke’s University Health Network
• Richard Master, chairman and CEO, MCS Industries
• Virginia Doherty McGregor, director of McGregor Industries; Geisinger Health System; Commonwealth Medical College
• Bill Moyer, president, St. Luke’s Hospital, Miners Campus
• Margaret Neville, co-owner, Acton Technologies
• Dr. Madhu Rao, director of non-invasive cardiology, Geisinger Community Medical Center
• William Reppy, president, Lehigh Valley Hospital–Schuylkill
• Dr. Steven Scheinman, president and dean, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
• Alicia Simon, MSN, CRNP, ANP-C, and board member of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners
• Drew Simpson, council representative, Carpenters and Joiners Local 445, Scranton
• Marlee Stefanelli, licensed dietitian/nutritionist
• Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO, The Wright Center
• Keith Wasley, president and CEO, AllOne Health
• Kurt Wrobel, CFO and chief actuary, Geisinger Health Plan