Burlington businessman Al Gobeille appointed chair of Green Mountain Care Board

Governor Peter Shumlin announced today that Burlington businessman Al Gobeille will take over as Chair of the Green Mountain Care Board, directing the board’s charge of curbing health care cost growth and reforming the way health care is provided to Vermonters. Gobeille will become Chair immediately. Anya Rader Wallack, the Board’s first Chair, announced her departure from the Board in the spring and will now wrap up her service to the Board as Gobeille takes on the Chair role.
‘As a business owner, Al understands that health care costs are not sustainable, and are crippling Vermont employers, Vermont families and Vermont’s economy,’Governor Shumlin said. ‘His organizational leadership skills and practical business experience make him an ideal chair for the Board. Al also has an uncanny ability to translate complex health care jargon into clear, understandable explanations for the public.’
The five-member Green Mountain Care Board’s mission is to reduce the rate of growth in health care costs, regulate hospital spending and capital expenditures, and curb the growth in health insurance rates. The governor had previously made clear his desire to appoint Gobeille as chair of the Board upon Wallack’s departure. Gobeille, who has been a member of the GMBC since its inception, owns several restaurants in Burlington and has been very active as a leader in the Chittenden County business community.
The governor also announced that Wallack has agreed to maintain her involvement in Vermont by playing a lead role in implementing the State Innovation Models grant (SIM grant), in which the state will receive $45 million from the federal government to implement reform of health care delivery in Vermont. In her new role, she will provide high-level leadership on the grant, provide strategic guidance to the overall project, and report to the Governor on project progress and outcomes.
‘Anya’s expertise is very valuable in Vermont’s efforts to create a better value in health care. We need to ensure that every Vermonter receives the most efficient care and the highest value,’said Gov. Shumlin.
Wallack has been deeply involved in Vermont’s SIM grant efforts to date, spearheading Vermont’s payment innovation efforts. Since the grant award, she has served as the de factor Project Director for SIM. Her new role will be finalized through a contract with the Governor’s Office and is expected to begin at the end of August.
The governor expects to interview candidates soon for the open side member position on the Green Mountain Care Board and plans to announce the new member later this month, after that process is completed.
Governor's office 8.1.2013