Terry B. Thomas, LNHA        (202) 724-4245

Mayor Anthony A. Williams created the Health Services Reform Commission (“Commission”) on May 16, 2001, by Mayoral Order 2001-74. The Commission’s forty (40) volunteers were sworn in by the Mayor on June 7, 2001, to oversee the implementation and operation of the DC Health Services Reform Initiative (“Initiative”). The Commission members consist of the Chairperson and Chair Pro Tem to include, but not limited to, consumers, providers, clergy, Chief Financial Officer; the Director of the Department of Health, the Director of the Department of Mental Health, the Deputy Mayor, members of the City Council, physicians, health researchers, health activists, Presidents and CEOs of private sector corporations, public school administrator and academicians. The Commission acts as an advisory body to the Mayor, City Council, and the Department of Health (“Health Department”) regarding the implementation of the Initiative and related health policy issues. The Commission reports to the Mayor and to the public. The Commission monitors, assesses, and advises the Health Care Safety Net Administration (“Safety Net Administration”) within the Health Department that oversees the contract between Greater Southeast and the District government, and monitors the performance of the Alliance under the contract.

The Commission works toward the following outcomes for the community:

• To examine best practices, strategies for system oversight and evaluation, and effective communications;
• To advise the Mayor on city efforts to ensure cultural sensitivity and overall clinical efficiency within the District’s health system;
• To assist the Mayor and the Health Department in the research and identification of effective health system transition strategies;
• To provide community perspective on the health care safety net reform and operation of the Health Care Safety Net Administration;
• To advise the Mayor, City Council, and the Health Department on the DC Health Services Reform Initiative implementation plan, action steps, and timing;
• To aid the Mayor and the Health Department in promoting interagency and intersectorial collaboration within the District and among the District, federal agencies, and other relevant entities including community members;
• To prepare and disseminate reports on the status and outcomes of the District’s Initiative efforts and the DC Healthcare Alliance;
• To identify health policy and resource issues related to health care alternatives in particular health care policy issues and alternatives for the uninsured populations of the District of Columbia; and
• To assist the Health Department in balancing priorities and resources by identifying and providing advice on health resource issues.