Covered California Receives The First E. Richard Brown Award From Insure
The Uninsured Project
SACRAMENTO, Calif.- Covered California is the recipient of
the first ever E. Richard Brown award from the Insure the Uninsured Project
(ITUP). The award recognizes a group or individual that has made an exceptional
contribution in expanding health care coverage in California. It is named after
the founder of UCLA’s Center for Health Policy Research, who provided
leadership for ITUP and advocates across the state in increasing coverage of
California’s uninsured.
“This is both humbling and a privilege to be the first to
receive the E. Richard Brown Award,” said Peter V. Lee, Executive Director of
Covered California, noting “we will seek to live up to the values that Rick
embodied in his life and service. The award was presented to Lee and Covered California
by E. Richard Brown’s widow, Marianne Brown.
ITUP’s executive director and founder, Lucien Wulsin, a
close friend, said “Covered California is exemplary of Rick’s passion in life,
and is now taking on Rick’s role as the leader in transforming health care in
California,” said Wulsin.
The board of ITUP usually presents multiple awards to people
and organizations committed to expanding health care coverage. For 2013, it decided
to present only one award, and Wulsin said the board was unanimous in
designating Covered California as this year’s recipient.
Upon receiving the award, Lee said “Covered California is
building on the work of many, like Rick Brown, who have tirelessly pursued
developing pathways to health insurance for the under and uninsured, and
improving healthcare payment and delivery systems.” Enrollment in Covered California begins this fall, with coverage taking affect January
of 2014.
About Covered California
California is the first state to create a health benefit
exchange following the passage of federal health care reform. Covered California
is charged with creating a new insurance marketplace that allows individuals
and small businesses to purchase competitively priced health plans using federal
tax subsidies and credits. Coverage starts in 2014.
Covered California is overseen by a five-member board
appointed by the Governor and Legislature; the California Health and Human Services
Secretary serves as an ex officio voting member and is its current Chair.
For more information on Covered California, please visit
www.CoveredCA.com.
