laura lawlor

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Laura Lawlor is the Owner and President of Lawlor Consulting.  With over two decades of senior-level public policy experience, she has served in various government roles at both the state and federal level.  Her policy expertise is focused on health care, including Medicare and Medicaid, reimbursement and payment reform, health information technology, biotech and pharmaceutical, public health and other issues. Lawlor currently advises a variety of public and private sector clients.

 

Lawlor’s past federal experience includes serving as Deputy Chief of Staff and Counselor to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and as Special Assistant to the President and Director of Cabinet Affairs in the White House.  At the state level, she served as Health Policy Advisor and Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs to the Governor and as Director of the Texas House of Representatives Public Health Committee.

 

At the federal level, Lawlor directly advised the HHS Cabinet Secretary and led and managed policy initiatives on a diverse portfolio of critical issues including public health, health services and reform.  While serving at the White House, she handled policy and communications with the Cabinet Secretaries and senior staff at agencies including HHS.

 

While serving the Governor of Texas, Lawlor managed the health policy agenda and advised the Governor on those issues and handled development and passage of the Governor’s legislative agenda.  During her years as Director of the Public Health Committee, she worked closely with legislative and executive branch leadership to develop, pass and implement health related legislation.

 

Lawlor combined experiences give her a deep understanding of the dynamics between state and federal government and how to work with both legislative and executive branch leadership.  She has a proven ability to foster dialogue at all levels of an organization to effect change.  Her talents in policy development, strategy and communications provide her with the ability to build broad support for policies and ideas and deliver results.

 

laura@lawlorconsulting.net

512-263-9400

 

jim hine

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Jim Hine distinguished himself with a 35 year public service career in Texas state government, culminating his career by serving as Commissioner and CEO for three major state agencies in Texas:  The Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, the Texas Department of Human Services, and the Department of Aging and Disability Services.

 

Mr. Hine is the recipient of the Bob Bullock Award for Outstanding Public Stewardship and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children, Youth and Families Commissioner’s Award for his outstanding contributions toward the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse and neglect. He has been recognized by Texas Lutheran University with their Distinguished Alumni award and has received the Texas Public Employees Association Agency Administrator of the year award. He was also a finalist in the Computerworld Smithsonian Award for Visionary use of Information Technology in the Field of Government and Non-profit Organizations.

 

He has served on several non-profit Boards including Board Chair for the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature Foundation; the Center for Public Policy Priorities and the United Ways of Texas.  He has served on the University of Texas Law School’s  Advisory Council on Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Texas Lutheran Board of Regents Audit Committee.

 

He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Texas Lutheran University, is a Certified Public Accountant, and is a graduate of the Governor’s Executive Development Program at the University Of Texas LBJ School Of Public Affairs.  He retired from state government on January 31, 2006 and presently is self-employed and owner of Public Policy Solutions, where he has established a consulting, lobby and voluntary advocacy practice that focuses on services to the elderly and children’s services.

 

ppsjimhine@msn.com

512-517-7876

 

DON GILBERT

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Don Gilbert is a health care consultant and lobbyist, working with providers, insurers, and health care technology businesses.  His business, Don A. Gilbert Consulting currently works with a number of health related organizations, primarily in Texas. Before starting his consulting business in 2003, he served for five years as the Commissioner of Health and Human Services under Governor Perry, and Governor Bush.  In that role, Don had oversight over the State Medicaid Program as well as 13 health and human services agencies, with 55,000 employees.  Prior to his appointment as HHSC Commissioner, Don worked in the public mental health field, as Commissioner of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, and in CEO positions in community mental health and in state psychiatric hospitals in Texas.

 

 dongilbertconsulting@gmail.com

 512-472-5365

 

BILL RAGO, Ph.D., MBA

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Bill Rago worked in the Chief Deputy Executive Commissioner’s Office in the Texas Health & Human Services Commission, Texas’ Medicaid agency, when he retired in 2014.  As Director of Economic Analysis for HHSC, Dr. Rago led an extensive range of policy initiatives and projects that crossed divisional lines providing him with a unique perspective and deep understanding of the complex workings of the very large and complicated state Medicaid agency.  Included in the range of his responsibilities were the Vendor Drug Program, managed care and hospital financing.  In 2011 Dr. Rago participated in the negotiation of Texas’ 1115 Medicaid waiver where he helped design Texas’ Delivery System Reform Incentive Program (DSRIP) and Uncompensated Care Pool.   During implementation of this waiver he drafted the Program Funding and Mechanics Protocol which defined the implementation requirements for accessing waiver funding.  Prior to his 13 years with HHSC, Dr. Rago worked at the Texas Department of Mental Health & Mental Retardation (TDMHMR), where he was intimately involved with program, policy and financing of the state’s psychiatric hospitals and the community mental health and IDD centers in his role as Special Assistant to the TDMHMR Commissioner.

 

Dr. Rago has an extensive involvement with quality improvement, having been on the quality review teams for both the Austin and Texas Quality Awards as well as having published several peered reviewed papers on QI and government.  In all, Bill has published over 50 articles and chapters and given hundreds of presentations.  Dr. Rago earned his MBA and Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin where he also taught for several years in the College of Education.

 

brago1@att.net

512-796-3534

 

 

CHRIS TRAYLOR

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Chris Traylor has been involved in virtually every aspect of healthcare and social services for more than a quarter of a century.  His experience and expertise put him at the forefront of legislative innovation, reform and regulation.  He was successful at every level within state government, most recently as Executive Commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), until May 31, 2016.

 

Traylor previously served as the Chief Deputy Executive Commissioner of HHSC in Texas and led the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) as Commissioner from 2010 to 2012.   During his tenure at DADS, the agency implemented broad reforms to improve services for people with physical and intellectual disabilities, and extended community care options for Texans.

 

Before leading DADS, Traylor served for over three years as the Texas state Medicaid director. Under his leadership, Texas developed health passports for children in foster care, and implemented a nationally-recognized, managed model of care for children in state conservatorship, now known as the STAR Health program. Under his guidance, The Lone Star State also expanded a managed care model that integrates acute and long-term care services for Texans who are elderly or have disabilities.  The program almost immediately produced -- and continues to deliver -- significant cost containment for the state, while improving Texans' care by reducing and eliminating the wait for services that allow people to receive care in their homes and communities.

 

Traylor has a lengthy and respected career  at both the state and national scene  His 25 years of public service include Chief of Staff at HHSC, where his duties included managing the day-to-day operations of the consolidation of Texas health and human services agencies in 2004.  His resume includes work as key staff in both the Texas House and Senate as well as in Washington, D.C., where he worked on the staff for members of the U.S. House of Repesentatives as well as a U.S. Senator.

 

Traylor is graduate of Texas Tech University.

 

christraylor@gmail.com

512-964-2078

 

 

LINDA K WERTZ

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Linda Wertz is the Owner and President of The Wertz Group, LLC.  A former Texas Medicaid director with more than 30 years of experience, Linda is a leading expert in Medicaid policy, operations and administration, contract management, managed care, quality improvement, and program integrity.  She draws on her practical expertise to offer technical guidance and insight to state and local governments, managed care organizations, hospitals, academic institutions, health care entities and associations.

 

Linda has been an independent consultant for government and private sector clients in Texas and other states.  She held several national leadership positions during her state government career, including chair and vice chair of the National Association of State Medicaid Directors (NASMD), and board member of the National Quality Forum.

 

Linda earned her BBA from the University of Texas at Austin.

 

lkwertz@gmail.com

512-925-4894

 

STEVE ARAGóN

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Steve Aragón founded the Law Offices of Steve Aragón in 2014 following 30 years of service with the State of Texas. Steve has served on the Opinion Committee of the Office of the Attorney General, Ethics Advisor and Assistant General Counsel to the Department of Human Services, and General Counsel of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. In 2003, he was appointed to the newly created position of Chief Counsel for the health and human services enterprise.

 

At the Commission, Steve oversaw the delivery of legal services to the health and human services enterprise by over 300 staff statewide. He also supervised the processing and approval of over 20,000 administrative rule making actions and provided direction on major litigation and contracts involving HHS agencies. He has spoken frequently at continuing education events and seminars on diverse topics including public contracts and procurement, IT services and contracts, government and legal ethics, leadership, Medicaid policy, managed care, and administrative law.

 

Steve’s practice is focused primarily on healthcare provider advice and compliance, Medicaid reimbursement and program policy, legislative development and support, public contracts and government and technology procurement. Steve is licensed to practice law by the Supreme Court of Texas and received degrees from the University of Texas School of Law and the University of Texas at El Paso.

 

The Law Offices of Steve Aragón

401 W. 15th Street, Suite 840

Austin, Texas 78701 (512)

512-926-1246

saragon@ethicalaw.com

LEON EVANS

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For almost forty years, Leon Evans has worked with community partners in public health and safety to provide innovative approaches to hope and healing.  Communities throughout the nation and abroad have come to tour The Center for Health Care Services’ facilities and learn about programs that drive down the cost of health care and help thousands of people avoid jail and long-term hospital stays.  In the process of helping individuals and families regain independent, productive lives, Evans’ programs have saved over $95 million in taxpayer dollars over the past eight years and helped make Bexar County a healthier place to live.

 

Evans’ internationally recognized programs are the result of a highly effective and cooperative spirit throughout the health, law enforcement, judicial and non-profit organizations in San Antonio, Bexar County and the Nation.  Evans maintains a rigorous travel schedule, testifying at the local, state, and federal level on crisis, jail diversion, and homelessness.

 

Evans was recognized by CNN as one of our Nations Mental Warriors, whose programs have received the American Psychiatric Association Gold Award, and many other citations and recognitions for innovations and community partnerships and collaborations.

 

Under Evans’ leadership, The Center for Health Care Services helps people face their challenges and find a meaningful role in their community.

 

Evans Three Bears Consulting, LLC

San Antonio, Texas

 

BILL BOYAR

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Bill Boyar is a founding shareholder of BoyarMiller, a Houston, Texas-based law firm.  As a corporate lawyer, his practice focuses on representing various parties involved in the acquisition, disposition, capitalization and financing of assets and businesses on a national and international level.  Bill has extensive health care transaction experience, having served as outside lead counsel for several provider organizations, including Valley Baptist Health System, developers and operators of free standing emergency hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, long term acute care hospitals, memory care facilities, skilled nursing facilities and medical office buildings.  Bill’s clients have also included health plans, revenue cycle management companies, staffing companies and physician groups.

 

Additionally, from his office in Austin, Texas, Bill is a Senior Executive Advisor with Conversant, a Boulder-based global management and leadership consulting firm whose clients range from large multi-national organizations to middle-market private companies and large non-profits.  Bill’s focus with Conversant is on the non-profit sector, where he counsels his non-profit clients on a range of issues, including culture and organizational development, governance and board development, strategy development and execution, negotiation strategy, fundraising, financial discipline, leadership development, advocacy and crisis management.

BILLY MILLWEE

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Billy is the President/CEO and Founder of BM&A Public Policy. He and his team of seasoned professionals works with public and private sector clients to develop innovative approaches to financing and the delivery of healthcare services.  Until August 2012 he served as the Texas Health and Human Services Deputy Executive Commissioner and Texas Medicaid Director. In this role he provided operational and programmatic leadership for the Texas Medicaid and CHIP programs and was responsible for a business enterprise that impacts over 3.5 million lives, affects more than 40,000 providers, and involved the management of over $30 billion.

 

Billy was involved in Texas state government for over 20 years. Previous state government experience includes development of regional trauma systems and development, implementation, and deployment of immunization clinic assessment and program improvement protocols. Since 1998, he has served in a variety of management positions within the Texas Medicaid/SCHIP programs, including: Director, Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT), and Medical Transportation Programs; Director, Program Operations and Policy Development; Director, Managed Care Operations; and Director, Claims Administrator Operations.  He served as the Texas Medicaid Director from 2009 – 2012.  During his tenure as the Texas Medicaid Director he successfully negotiated a Medicaid Section 1115 waiver that allowed Texas to:

 

• Obtain $29.5 billion to fund uncompensated care and delivery system reform

• Implement capitated managed care statewide to include managed long term services and supports

• Implement capitated dental managed care statewide

• Secure additional funding for mental health services

 

He has served as a board member with the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) and is an alumnus of the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) Medicaid Leadership Fellowship. He has provided invited testimony to the U.S. Congress, House Energy and Commerce Committee on dual eligibiles in Medicaid and the U.S. Senate Finance Committee on prescription drug abuse in Medicaid.

 

Billy has authored several articles on Medicaid and healthcare reform. A recent article appeared in the Journal of Ambulatory Care Management and addressed payment reform.  He was most recently selected to co-chair a national panel on innovation acceleration in Medicaid.

 

He holds a bacalaureate degree in Business Administration from the Univeristy of Maryland and a master’s degree in Health Care Administration from Central Michigan University.

 

billy@millweeconsulting.com

512-393-4018

 

LARRY TONN

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For over thirty years, Larry has been the owner/manager of his private consulting practice performing numerous research, policy and financial analysis for state and local government agencies, technology firms, health care providers, health insurance companies, health care manufacturing organizations, and numerous health related professional trade associations.

 

His consulting services have focused on government policy and benefit structures, government reimbursement systems, fee structures, federal and state legislative issues, demographic and financial impact  analysis, and privatization issues between government and private industry.

 

Prior to starting his own consulting firm, Larry audited State Medicaid program providers, and eventually served as Associate Commissioner for Medicaid.  Larry also served seven years as an elected city official including two terms as Mayor of the City of Round Rock, a suburb of Austin, Texas. During his tenure, the City of Round Rock was recognized as one of the fastest growing cities in Texas and a leader in economic development. He also served as a municipal representative for the Capital Area Planning Council.

 

tonnlarry@gmail.com

512.494.9282

 

 

ALBERT HAWKINS

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After a distinguished, 30-year public service career, Albert Hawkins brings an extensive level of executive experience, knowledge and insight to the policy consulting sector.  His areas of expertise include health and human services policy, financing and operations and Texas legislative processes and practices.  He has gained substantive understanding and knowledge across a broad array of state fiscal, regulatory and policy areas, as well.  Mr. Hawkins is widely acknowledged for his effectiveness in developing strategic solutions, formulating appropriate policy actions and responses and facilitating successful business decisions.

 

 

Appointed by Governor Rick Perry to head the Health and Human Services Commission and provided leadership and strategic direction to the health and human services system in Texas.  The commission oversees the operations of 5 HHS agencies, comprised of over 54,000 employees working with a total annual budget of about $25 billion.  Direct responsibilities included coordinating policy decisions, adopting rules and regulations, formulating a consolidated health and human services budget, improving system-wide business operations, and administering eligibility determination functions, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid Acute Care programs.

 

 

Prior to his appointment by Governor Perry, Albert was appointed by President George W. Bush as the liaison between the White House and the President’s Cabinet.  Key duties included: (1) advising the President of Cabinet activities and issues affecting Cabinet departments; (2) facilitating effective Cabinet involvement with White House policy development efforts; and (3) communicating White House plans and policies to Cabinet departments.

 

Ahawkins@hawkinsppc.com

 (512) 617-6738

 

 

CHARLES BELL, M.D.

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Mr. Bell is currently the President of the Diabetes Health and Wellness Institute and works with Texas A&M Health Science Center as a medical advisor of the KSTAR physician assessment program.

 

He served as Deputy Executive Commissioner at Texas Health and Human Services Commission from March 2003 to August 2011. During his career in state service he has served as the Interim Commissioner of the Department of State Health Services in 2006 and as the Interim Commissioner of the Texas Department of Health in 2001.

 

He has also held the following positions: Executive Deputy Commissioner of the Texas Department of Health (TDH); Regional Medical Director of TDH Public Health Region 1 in Lubbock, Texas; Chief of the Bureau of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention; and Medical Director of the Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic at the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District.

 

Dr. Bell received his undergraduate degree for the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas, his medical degree from UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, completed a one year residency in Internal Medicine at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut and received his masters degree in healthcare administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Bell is a native Texan born in Port Arthur, Texas.

 

 

cebellmd@gmail.com

512-442-6195

 

jaime capelo

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Jaime Capelo specializes in health care policy and funding which is a natural growth from his legislative experience in the Texas House of Representatives and as Chairman of the House Public Health Committee. Mr. Capelo completed his fourth term as a State Representative serving as the Chairman of the powerful Public Health Committee, and also served as a member of the Select Committee on State Health Care Expenditures, the Civil Practices Committee, the Judicial Affairs Committee, the Joint Committee on Nutrition and Health in Public Schools, and the Joint Committee on the Children’s Health Insurance Program.  Mr. Capelo authored and/or sponsored 100 bills, which are now law in the State of Texas. The vast majority of Mr. Capelo’s legislative legacy was focused on improving the quality of healthcare and access to healthcare for all Texans, and includes the passage of historic legislation, such as the medical liability reforms of HB 4 and Prop 12 in 2003.

 

Mr. Capelo now provides legislative and regulatory consulting for a number of clients, including the Texas Society of Anesthesiologists, Texas Chapter of the American College of Cardiology, Texas Urological Society, Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons, MEDNAX Medical Group (neonatologists, pediatric specialists and anesthesiologists), Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society, Texas Academy of Physician Assistants, Texas Medical Liability Trust, DaVita Kidney Dialysis Centers, Texas Association for the Protection of Children (TexProtects), Avance, Pierce & O’Neill, LLP and the Coalition for Patient Safety which includes 12 different medical societies.

 

In his first year of legislative consulting, Capitol Inside Magazine named Mr. Capelo one of the “Rising Stars to Watch” in the Texas lobby, and recently named Mr. Capelo one of the “Top 50 Lobbyists” in Texas. While a legislator Mr. Capelo was honored with numerous awards for his legislative success, including being selected as one of Capitol Inside Magazine’s “10 Best Legislators,” twice selected as one of the Texas Medical Association’s “Ten Best Legislators,” and twice selected as the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas' “Crime Fighter of the Year.”

 

The Law Office of Jaime Capelo

401 W. 15th Street, Suite 870

Austin, Texas 78701

jc@capelolaw.com

512-626-6763