Speakers Biographies
NAIC Medicare Private Plans Subgroup
Public hearing on regulation of Medicare Private Plans
September 11, 2007, Washington DC
Updated September 10, 2007
Mary Jo Hudson
Director of Insurance
Ohio Department of Insurance
An accomplished public servant, attorney and community leader, Mary Jo Hudson officially took
office as the 46th Director of the Ohio Department of Insurance on January 8, 2007. She was
appointed by Governor Ted Strickland to join his cabinet on December 21, 2006.
Director Hudson is familiar with the Ohio insurance industry and regulatory role of the
Department. She has practiced law for eighteen years, most recently with the Columbus offices
of Bailey Cavalieri LLC and its predecessor, Arter and Hadden LLP, focusing on insurance
regulation and liquidation law, consumer finance and retail law compliance, unclaimed property
planning and reporting, commercial lending, state and federal advertising law, and general
corporate matters. From 1989 to 1995, Director Hudson worked as an attorney with the Ohio
Department of Insurance and as General Council for the Office of the Ohio Insurance Liquidator.
Appointed to Columbus City Council in 2004 and elected in 2005, Mary Jo served as Chair of
the Jobs and Economic Development Committee and focused on efforts that produced good jobs
and increased income tax revenue to support basic city services. She also sponsored legislation
supporting a strategy for attraction and retention of young talent in Columbus, encouraged
regional cooperation for economic growth in Central Ohio, and helped form a coalition to
develop and brand the 315 Research + Technology Corridor.
Director Hudson championed investments that leveraged private dollars to encourage the growth
of entrepreneurs and new business, and helped the Columbus Chamber of Commerce enhance
the technical assistance they provide emerging and minority businesses.
Prior to joining the Ohio Department of Insurance, Director Hudson served on the Boards of The
United Way of Central Ohio, The Center for New Directions; The Women’s Fund of Central
Ohio; The Human Rights Campaign and Human Rights Campaign Foundation; The Greater
Columbus Arts Council; TechColumbus and SciTech.
Director Hudson received her B.A. in Public Administration from Miami University in 1985. She
received her J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1988, graduating with
honors.
Director Hudson resides in Columbus, Ohio.
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Alan Heumann
Director of Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)
Louisiana Department of Insurance
He has been with SHIIP since its inception in 1993 as Trainer/Coordinator and Director since 1995.
SHIIP provides objective counseling and outreach. SHIIP creates and distributes materials in all
areas of the senior insurance market at no cost to consumers. This includes:
Medicare
Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit
Medicaid programs for Medicare beneficiaries and others in need
Medicare Supplement insurance (Medigap)
Medicare Advantage Plans
Long Term Care and Long Term Care insurance
The Louisiana SHIIP is one of 54 State Health Insurance and Assistance Programs (SHIP)
throughout the United States and its territories providing these services through a grant from the
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
He represents Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon on the Senior Issues Task Force at
the quarterly meetings of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
He is a member of the Advisory Board for Louisiana Senior Rx, the State pharmaceutical assistance
program. Previously, he was a member of the National State Health Insurance and Assistance
Program (SHIP) Steering Committee and represented the 11 states in Regions VI and VIII. This
eight-member board represents all 54 SHIPS on a national level.
Abby Block
Director of the Center for Beneficiary Choice
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Abby L. Block was named Director of the Center for Beneficiary Choice at CMS in October of
2005. Before that she was a Senior Advisor to the CMS Administrator. In that capacity she
played a leading role in implementing the Title I and Title II provisions of the Medicare
Modernization Act. She worked extensively with health plans and beneficiary advocacy groups
to ensure an effective transition to the new Medicare Advantage and prescription drug programs
in 2006.
Before transferring to CMS, Abby L. Block was a Deputy Associate Director at the U. S. Office
of Personnel Management (OPM) where she was considered the expert on Federal health and life
insurance programs, as well as Federal retirement systems, with over 25 years of experience in
with employee and retiree benefits. She has served as a technical expert to the Administration,
Congress, employee organizations and associations, the insurance industry, and others on related
issues.
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Prior to assuming the Associate Director position, Ms. Block was responsible for both policy
development and contract administration for the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB)
Program and the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program. She also played a
key role in the development and implementation of the Federal Long-Term Care Insurance
Program and the Flexible Spending Account Program for Federal employees.
Ms. Block came to OPM as a Presidential Management Intern in 1979. She has an
MA, an MSW, and an MBA from Columbia University.
Bonnie Burns
Training and Policy Specialist
California Health Advocates
Bonnie Burns has served as a consultant with more than twenty-five years of experience in
Medicare, Medicare supplemental insurance, and long-term care insurance. Ms. Burns is the
Training & Policy Specialist for California Health Advocates (CHA), and serves as a consumer
representative for CHA on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. She actively
promotes improved consumer protection in state legislative efforts affecting Medicare
supplemental and long term care insurance products. Ms. Burns has extensive experience in the
research and development of educational material addressing Medicare and related topics,
writing various consumer materials for consumer groups and public agencies in California and
other states. Ms. Burns is regarded as a national expert in her field and in addition to her own
written materials has been quoted in many national publications and broadcast media outlets. In
August 2001, she was awarded the national Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
“Beneficiary Services Certificate of Merit” for her dedication and excellence.
David Lipschutz
Staff Attorney
California Health Advocates
David A. Lipschutz is a staff attorney in the Los Angeles office of California Health Advocates
(CHA), a Sacramento-based nonprofit organization that provides advocacy and education for
California beneficiaries and promotes the work of the state-administered Health Insurance
Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP). Mr. Lipschutz has been active in policy work
surrounding the implementation of the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit in California,
focusing, in particular, on its impact on individuals dually-eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal.
In this respect, he has testified before Congress and the state legislature, and is a frequent lecturer
and trainer on Medicare issues. Since 2003, Mr. Lipschutz has co-authored a chapter on
Medicare in the Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB) publication California Elder Law,
Resources, Benefits, and Planning. Before joining CHA, he worked as a staff attorney at the
Center for Health Care Rights, a non-profit agency that provides direct services to Medicare
beneficiaries in Los Angeles County. Mr. Lipschutz earned his B.A. degree from UC Santa Cruz
and his J.D. degree from UC Davis.
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Alethia Jackson
Executive Director, Federal Affairs
America's Health Insurance Plans
Ms. Jackson has been with America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) since February 2003.
AHIP is a national trade association representing nearly 1,300 member companies providing
health insurance coverage to more than 200 million Americans. Ms. Jackson has served in
several capacities during her tenure with AHIP, including as a Regional Director of State Affairs,
where she managed AHIP’s legislative and regulatory advocacy in several states. Ms. Jackson
currently monitors Congressional activity on various health care issues in her role as Executive
Director in AHIP's Federal Affairs department. She also represents AHIP member companies
before the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Ms. Jackson has
extensive experience in health policy and government affairs, with an in-depth knowledge of
Medicare Supplement Insurance. Prior to joining AHIP, she served as Assistant Counsel for
Health Policy with the NAIC, where she focused primarily on senior health insurance products.
Vicky Gottlich
Attorney
Center for Medicare Advocacy
EDUCATION
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NATIONAL LAW CENTER, GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY L.L.M., February 1982
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW J.D., June 1976
EXPERIENCE
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CENTER FOR MEDICARE ADVOCACY, INC.
Attorney, January 2000- present
Research, analysis, policy and litigation support concerning Medicare and COBRA health
care continuation insurance. Activities include training and education for consumers and
their representatives; analysis of legislation, proposed regulations, and health care
policies, comments and technical assistance on legislation and proposed regulations
before administrative agencies and Congress.
NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS LAW CENTER
Staff Attorney, January 1987 - December 1999
Research, analysis, policy and litigation support concerning Medicare; employee benefit
law, including pension and health benefits and COBRA health care continuation
insurance; Americans with Disabilities Act. Activities include analysis, training and
education; litigating and advising on federal court litigation; commenting on proposed
rules; providing technical assistance on proposed legislation and testifying before
administrative agencies and Congress.
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY SENIOR CITIZENS LAW PROJECT
Managing Attorney, December, 1980 - January, 1987
Direct and supervise operation of legal services program for senior citizens. Caseload
involved litigation, administrative advocacy, and work with state and local government.
INSTITUTE OF LAW AND AGING, NATIONAL LAW CENTER, GEORGE WASHINGTON
UNIVERSITY
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Associate Director, July, 1978 - November, 1980
Direct and supervise paralegal program for people age 55 and older; caseload involved
consumer, domestic relations, and landlord tenant cases.
CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD
Trial Attorney, August, 1976 - July, 1978
Represented federal agency in hearings to determine airline routes; reviewed route
applications; drafted regulations.
HEALTH-RELATED PUBLICATIONS
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Halperin, A., Gottlich, V., Nemore, P. “What's so Special about Medicare Advantage
Special Needs Plans? Assessing Medicare Special Needs Plans for ‘Dual Eligibles.’” 8
Marquette Elder's Advisor 101 (Spring 2007).
www.medicareadvocacy.org - Weekly Alerts, fact sheets and analyses concerning
legislative and administrative proposals and changes - January 2000-present.
2007 Medicare Handbook, 7th Ed. (Aspen Publishers)(contributions to various chapters).
Gottlich, V., “A Brave New World: Getting Medically Necessary Prescriptions under
Medicare Part D,” 39 Clearinghouse Review 507 (Jan.-Feb. 2006).
Gottlich, V., et al., “Dazed and Confused: Navigating the Medicare Act of 2003 for LowIncome Beneficiaries,” 38 Clearinghouse Review 443 (Nov.-Dec. 2004).
Gottlich, V., Medical Necessity Determinations in the Medicare Program: Are the
Interests of Beneficiaries With Chronic Conditions Being Met? (Partnership for
Solutions, Jan. 2003).
“The Perspective of Medicare Beneficiaries,” Guide to Medicare Coverage DecisionMaking and Appeals, Kinney, Ed. (ABA 2002).
Planning Care At Home: A Guide for Advocates and Families (National Senior Citizens
Law Center 2000) (contributions to various chapters).
Gottlich, V., et al., “Legal Issues in Securing Home Health Services Under Medicare and
Medicaid,” 31 Clearinghouse Review 199 (Sept.- Oct. 1997).
Gottlich, V., “Medicare Managed Care Appeal Rights: An Update,” 31 Clearinghouse
Review 233 (Sept.- Oct. 1997).
Gottlich, V., et al., “Medicare Managed Care: Has Its Time Come?” 30 Clearinghouse
Review 569 (Oct. 1996).
Catherine Schmitt
Vice President of Federal Programs
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Catherine D. Schmitt is Vice President of Federal Programs for Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Michigan (BCBSM).
Schmitt is currently responsible for all Medicare-related products offered by BCBSM. Prior to
her current responsibility, she has held numerous positions during her 20 years with the
company, including Director of Administration for the company’s General Motors and Delphi
accounts and PPO Programs.
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Schmitt earned a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in
mathematics with honors from the University of Detroit Mercy.
She serves as a member of the University of Detroit Mercy Business School Advisory Board, is
past Chair of the Board of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, and is a member of the Women’s
Economic Club. In 2000, she received special recognition by the National Society of Fund
Raising Executives for volunteer work. She also is a 2002 Fellow of the Michigan Political
Leadership Program.
Albert Sochor
V/P and Director of Marketing
Old Surety Life Insurance
Albert Sochor is V/P and Director of Marketing for Old Surety Life Insurance Company. He has
over 20 years experience in the insurance industry with the last 8 years working in the home
office for Old Surety. Before he came into the home office he had worked as an independent
insurance agent. Mr. Sochor has been responsible for developing new product strategies and
implementing training programs that have revolutionized much of the thinking at Old Surety.
Considered an expert on Medicare’s new prescription drug program and the new Medicare
Advantage plans, Mr Sochor has been asked to speak at senior meetings and before insurance
agents addressing how to resolve problems with Medicare’s new programs. On May 16th, 2007,
he was asked to testify before the US Senate hearing on “Medicare Advantage Marketing &
Sales: Who Has the Advantage?” The hearing discussed and brought out many of the abuses that
Medicare beneficiaries are having to endure due to improper marketing techniques from
Medicare Advantage companies and their agents.
A strong believer in senior’s rights, Mr Sochor is working with committees in Washington DC
that are working on legislation to bring about an improvement in the current system and stop the
abuse and confusion. He has also developed an open forum seminar called “Managing the
Medicare Maze” that educates seniors, Medicare beneficiaries and Medicare volunteers. The
program helps participants to make informed decisions about Medicare, health care choices and
how to avoid insurance fraud and product misrepresentation.
Kirsten Sloan
National Coordinator / Health Issues
AARP
Kirsten Sloan is the National Coordinator for Health Issues for AARP. As AARP’s chief health
lobbyist she oversees a team of senior lobbyists within AARP’s Federal Affairs Department.
The team is responsible for working with the Congress and the Administration on AARP’s key
health care priorities including Medicare, prescription drugs, long-term care, Medicaid, managed
care, health insurance and health care quality.
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Prior to taking over her current role Kirsten worked as the Deputy Director of the Health Team,
as the Association’s Medicare lobbyist, and as a Legislative Specialist with a special focus on the
Catastrophic Coverage Act. Before coming to AARP, Kirsten was the Legislative Aide for
Congressman Norm Dicks (D-WA) and was responsible for health care appropriations and aging
issues. Kirsten is a graduate of the University of Washington in Seattle, WA.
Jonathan Smith
Executive Director
Legal Aid Society of Washington DC
Jonathan M. Smith is the executive director of the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia.
He has served in this position since May 2002. Mr. Smith is responsible for program
management and participates in litigation.
Mr. Smith graduated in 1980 with a BA in philosophy from the University of Maine at Orono
and received his Juris Doctor from Antioch School of Law in 1984.
From 1984 to 1989, Mr. Smith was an associate at the Alexandria Virginia civil rights firm of
Victor Glasberg & Associates. During his tenure at the law firm, he litigated cases a broad range
of issues including, police brutality and misconduct, employment discrimination, discrimination
in public accommodation, voting rights and free speech.
In 1989, Mr. Smith joined D.C. Prisoners’ Legal Services Project as its first staff attorney and
helped open the office. In 1991, he became the Project’s executive director. While at the Project
he served as counsel in individual and class action civil rights litigation.
From 1998 until 2002, Mr. Smith was the executive director of the Public Justice Center in
Baltimore, Maryland. While at the Public Justice Center, he worked on a range of issues
including juvenile justice reform, workers’ rights, the rights of language minorities and housing.
During his tenure, he helped grow the Public Justice Center’s docket and helped establish the
Appellate Advocacy Project and the Latino Legal Assistance Project.
Mr. Smith has written about civil rights and legal services issues, including:
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J. Smith, Appointment of Counsel in Civil Case in the United States District Court for the
District of Columbia, Management Information Exchange Journal, vol. VIII, no. 1 March
1994. (Reprinted in the Washington Lawyer, Vol. 9, No. 2 (November/December 1994))
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J. Smith, “Overview of the Crisis in the District of Columbia’s Correctional System,” in
Cold, Harsh, and Unending Resistance: The District of Columbia Government’s Hidden
War Against its Poor and its Homeless, Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless
(1993)
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J. Smith, Enforcing Corrections Related Court Orders in the District of Columbia, 2 Dist.
Col. L. Rev. 237 (Spring 1994)
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J. Smith, Spread of TB Poses Danger to Prisoners and Staff, 10 National Prison Project
Journal 1 (Spring 1995)
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J. Smith, The D.C. Rescue Plan: Punishing the City’s Criminal Justice System?,
Washington Lawyer, Vol. 12, No. 1 (September/October 1997)
J. Smith, The District of Columbia Revitalization Act and Criminal Justice: The Federal
Government’s Assault on Local Authority, 6 Dist. Col. L. Rev. 301 (Spring 1998)
J. Smith, Closing the Courthouse Door on Maryland’s Poor, Maryland Bar Journal, Vol.
XXXIV, No. 4 (July/August 2001)
J. Smith, Community in Need: Securing Equal Access to Justice, Washington Lawyer,
Volume 17, No 9 (May 2003)
W. Henderson & J. Smith, The Right to Counsel and Civil Rights: An Opportunity to
Broaden the Debate, 40 Clearinghouse Review 210 (July/August 2006)
Pia Allocca
Medicare and Medicaid Assistance Program Director
Medicare Rights Center
Pia Scarfó Allocca is the Medicare and Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) Director. She
graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Ph.D. in Political Science and has almost a
decade of experience in research, policy and field work in Latin America and Europe. Before
joining MRC, she was an Assistant Professor at Penn State University, teaching International
Relations and Latin American Politics. Ms. Scarfó Allocca was born in Italy, and now lives in
New York City, where, along with her work at MRC, she volunteers as a Spanish teacher for
immigrants in Spanish Harlem.
Lois Wattman
Senior Policy Counsel
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota
Lois Wattman is Senior Policy Counsel in the Public Affairs Department of Blue Cross and Blue
Shield of Minnesota. She previously had served as Vice President of Public Policy for Allina
and Medica and had earlier in her career been at BCBSM as Legislative Counsel. In addition,
Lois was Director of Special Projects for the Minnesota Medical Association and began her
career as the committee assistant to the Minnesota Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health,
Welfare and Corrections. Lois served as Vice-Chair of the Minnesota Health Care Commission
and was a member of the committee that designed the Minnesota Prepaid Medical Assistance
Program. She is a graduate of William Mitchell College of Law and Augsburg College.
Janet Trautwein
Executive Vice President and CEO
National Association of Health Underwriters
Janet Trautwein is Executive Vice President and CEO of the National Association of Health
Underwriters in Arlington, Virginia. The National Association of Health Underwriters
represents more than 20,000 professionals involved in the sale and service of health insurance
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and related products. Her responsibilities include oversight of all NAHU activities and primary
representation of the association to the media, government agencies and elected officials at all
levels, the insurance industry, and the public. Prior to becoming the EVP/CEO of NAHU, Janet
served for many years as the head of NAHU's government affairs department, working with
members of Congress on Capitol Hill and agencies of the Executive branch, supervising NAHU
government affairs staff, monitoring and analyzing legislation, writing and revising legislation
and developing policy recommendations for NAHU. She has a particular interest and expertise in
issues related to the uninsured, long-term care, high-risk pools and health insurance markets
around the United States. Reflecting that interest, Janet has participated in two GAO studies on
health insurance markets, a study of the individual health insurance market with the Kaiser
Family Foundation, and numerous NAHU sponsored research projects on health insurance
markets and other relevant health issues.
Additionally, Janet has worked extensively on the implementation of the Trade Adjustment
Assistance Act health insurance tax credit for trade displaced workers, working with state
legislators, regulators and governors to implement approved purchasing options for eligible
individuals. In 2001, Janet was appointed to President Bush’s health advisory transition team to
advise the president and the incoming Secretary of Health and Human services on health issues
facing the nation. In 2004, Janet received the Harold R. Gordon Memorial Award, which honors
the “Health Insurance Person of the Year” and is considered to the most prestigious award in the
health insurance industry. In 2006, Janet was named one of the 100 most powerful people in the
insurance industry.
Janet’s background includes 17 years in the insurance business as a principal in an insurance
agency specializing in health insurance, employee benefits, and related products. She also
previously served as the Legislative Director and Lobbyist for the Texas State Association of
Health Underwriters. Due to her extensive “field” experience, Janet is a frequent consultant on
“real world” health insurance issues.
Within her community, Janet has consistently contributed time and resources to a variety of
organizations including the Humane Society, Lupus Society of America and the American Heart
Association.
Janet is a 1978 graduate of Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois where she received a B.A.
degree in English Literature. She and her husband Neil have five children and reside in Clifton,
Virginia.
Deepti Sethi
Senior Legal Analyst
Health Assistance Partnership
Deepti Sethi is currently the Senior Legal Analyst at Health Assistance Partnership. Prior to
joining HAP, Deepti was a Staff Attorney for the Center for Health Care Rights serving Los
Angeles County, CA. For the past two years she has been a contributing author to the State Bar
of California's Elder Law Advocate's Guide with a focus on Medicare appeals. She has her J.D
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from the University of California Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, CA. and her
B.A. from Hampshire College in Amherst, MA.
Gary Jacobs
Senior Vice President - Corporate Development
Universal American Financial Corporation
In his capacity as Senior Vice President Corporate Development of Universal American
Financial Corp., (UAFC) Mr. Jacobs is responsible for implementing enterprise wide planning
initiatives, strategic alliances, government affairs, and identification of acquisitions and new
business opportunities. In addition, Mr. Jacobs serves as President of UAFC’s administration
services organization, CHCS Services, Inc.
Mr. Jacobs has received his BA from Boston University and his Masters from American
University. He has spent his career in health care and insurance. He has served as CEO of a
large Medicare certified home health care agency, was founding Executive Director of a start-up
HMO, and served as President of a national HMO consulting and management company. He is a
frequent speaker on topics impacting senior health care issues.
Mary Beth Senkewicz
Deputy Commissioner for Life & Health
Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
Mary Beth Senkewicz is an attorney and was recently appointed as the Florida Office of
Insurance Regulation's Deputy Commissioner for Life & Health. As such, Mary Beth oversees
the daily activities of the L&H Product Review, L&H Financial Oversight, and Specialty Product
Administration Units, which are responsible for the regulation of all insurers operating in Florida
in relation to life and health form and rate filings; licensure; and financial solvency. She also
maintains a home in Washington, DC, where she had a private consulting practice, specializing
in health policy and insurance. Among her clients were the government of Puerto Rico, where
she consulted with the insurance department on a major revision to the Puerto Rico Insurance
Code, and the U.S. Agency for International Development, where she advised the Egyptian
government on establishing a health insurance regulatory unit within the Egyptian Insurance
Supervisory Authority. She also testified before the United States Senate Committee on Small
Business and Entrepreneurship about the issues concerning health insurance and small
businesses.
Mary Beth was formerly Senior Health Policy Counsel and Legislative Advisor at the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners for over 11 years. She served as support staff for the
NAIC’s Health Insurance and Managed Care (B) Committee and the Senior Issues Task Force.
Those NAIC groups deal with such issues as Congressional proposals affecting health insurance
regulation, the uninsured, ERISA, individual and small group market reform, HIPAA
compliance, Medicare supplement insurance, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Prescription Drug
Plans and long-term care insurance. She was the NAIC representative on the Board of the Long
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Term Care Insurance Educational Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provided a
nonpartisan educational forum about the evolving long term care insurance marketplace. She was
NAIC representative to, and chair of, the Public Sector Advisory Committee of the National
Committee on Quality Assurance. She has been an expert speaker at a variety of health seminars
across the country.
Prior to joining the NAIC, Mary Beth supervised the Consumer Affairs Division of the
Wyoming Insurance Department and served as the Insurance Department’s liaison to the
Governor’s Health Care Reform Commission. She is also a former Executive Director of the
Wyoming State Bar.
Mary Beth received her J.D. degree from St. John’s University in New York City. She has a B.A.
in English and Philosophy from Cabrini College in Radnor, Pennsylvania. She was the first
Cabrini alumnus to receive the College’s Ivy Young Willis Memorial Award, established to
honor women in public affairs. She presently serves on the College’s Board of Trustees. She is a
New York City native.
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