Gail Wilensky - Senior Presidential Healthcare Advisor

Dr. Gail Wilensky is a Senior Fellow at a global health education foundation, where she analyzes and develops policies relating to health reform and to ongoing changes in the medical marketplace. Dr. Wilensky testifies frequently before Congressional committees, acts as an advisor to members of Congress and other elected officials, and speaks before professional, business and consumer groups.

From 2001 to 2003, she co-chaired the President's Task Force to Improve Health Care Delivery for Our Nation's Veterans. From 1997 to 2001, Dr. Wilensky chaired the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, which advises Congress on payment and other issues relating to Medicare, and from 1995 to 1997, she chaired the Physician Payment Review Commission.

Previously, she served as Deputy Assistant to President (GHW) Bush for Policy Development, advising him on health and welfare issues. Prior to that, she was Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration, overseeing the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Dr. Wilensky is an elected member of the Institute of Medicine of The National Academy of Sciences and its Governing Council, and serves as a trustee of the Combined Benefits Fund of the United Mineworkers of America, the American Heart Association, and on the Advisory Board of the National Institute of Health Care Management.