Who: Greg Bell
New job: President and CEO of the Utah Hospital Association
Coming from: Bell spent the past four years as lieutenant governor under Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, a Republican, who's poised to make a decision next year on whether to expand the state's Medicaid program.
Why now? Bell, 65, said he needed to make more than the $105,000 he was paid in government because his real estate investments took a hit in the recession. But he also wanted to stay in policy rather than take a corporate job. The hospital association declined to say how much it will pay him—his predecessor received $214,000 in total compensation in 2011.
Why him? UHA board Chair David Entwistle—CEO of University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics—said the association wanted Bell for his policy chops rather than his connections.
His healthcare background: As lieutenant governor, Bell led a policy group that generated a plan addressing healthcare workforce, prevention and wellness, health information technology, payment reform and tort reform. He also chaired a workgroup developing a voluntary early disclosure and resolution program with an HHS grant. “It's really dumb to deny, delay and defend,” Bell said.
