INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Indiana Hospital Association has named Governor Mike Pence the 2015 recipient of the John C. Render Award for Health Policy. Governor Pence was honored with the award Wednesday for his leadership advocating for positive health policy impacting Hoosiers around the state, including successful implementation of HIP 2.0 as a means to provide greater health care coverage to Indiana residents.
"I'm honored to receive the John C. Render Award for Health Policy today as a reaffirmation of the broad success and support the Healthy Indiana Plan has garnered since its rollout last January," said Governor Mike Pence. "Because of the Indiana Hospital Association members here today, as well as the many service providers around the state, Indiana has served as a national leader in reforming Medicaid through the HIP 2.0 program by implementing this consumer-driven model."
Created in 2011, the John C. Render Award for Health Policy is presented to someone who has had a significant influence on health care policy affecting Indiana hospitals. Past recipients include Jack Basler (2013) and Douglas M. Kinser (2012). The John C. Render Award for Health Policy is presented on special occasion when a recipient's contributions rise to the highest level of leadership in health policy.
The award was named after John C. Render in 2011 for his leadership, courage and perseverance advocating for health policy impacting Hoosiers statewide. Render is a partner at Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, P.C. with more than 40 years of experience focusing his practice in health care law. Render has served as general counsel for IHA since 1984.
"We are grateful to Governor Pence for his leadership and commend his administration for their many months of hard work that made HIP 2.0 a reality earlier this year, connecting more than 350,000 additional Hoosiers to affordable options for coverage," said Doug Leonard, president of the Indiana Hospital Association.
To date, HIP 2.0 has enrolled 155,000 newly-eligible Hoosiers since it received federal approval in late January. Hospitals across the state continue to work diligently to enroll patients into the new Healthy Indiana Plan by engaging in public outreach and educational opportunities through partnership with local community organizations.
"Governor Pence has remained committed to preserving the Healthy Indiana Plan and its innovative features of personal responsibility and wellness since his first day in office, and he was steadfast in pursuing the groundbreaking HIP 2.0 program," said Leonard.
Leonard added appreciation for the Governor's efforts as a strong proponent of sound health policy for the State of Indiana, championing efforts to reduce infant mortality and address the drug abuse crisis impacting many hospitals and communities across the state.
"We're proud to present Governor Pence with the John C. Render Award for Health Policy on behalf of our colleagues, employees and patients at IHA's more than 160 member hospitals."
