HIMSS Oregon 2021 Healthcare IT Policy Landscape

Post-Election Impact, 2021 Legislative Focus & Advocacy Impact

Join us for a webinar to discuss the legislative environment and policy trends for Healthcare IT in 2021, both at the national and state levels. The session will be moderated by leaders from industry, non-profits, and government officials. Anyone with an interest in healthcare IT, public policy, or an enlightening conversation should attend.

This event is jointly hosted by local HIMSS chapters of Northern California, Southern California, and Oregon.

Speakers

Dr. Joaquin Arambula

California State Assemblymember
31st Assembly District

Dr. Joaquin Arambula was first elected in 2016 to represent the 31st Assembly District in the Central Valley. He is the first Latino physician elected to the California State Assembly.

He proudly represents a district that includes 41 percent of the city of Fresno as well as all the rural cities and communities in Fresno County.

Arambula’s experiences as an emergency room doctor in Selma in Fresno County forged his determination to improve health care for all people, especially the most vulnerable. He saw the emotional and financial hardships of people struggling with illnesses that could have been prevented with access to quality health care.

Arambula believes health care is a fundamental human right. Since his election, he has been a forceful advocate in addressing the dire shortage of doctors and other health care professionals in the Central Valley. He has authored legislation that improves health and mental health services, but he also has been vigilant to include measures that ensure transparency regarding management of these services and their costs.

In addition, Arambula is fighting to bring more water to the Central Valley by calling for the construction of the Temperance Flat Dam and Reservoir and championing legislation for groundwater recharge projects.

He also has worked diligently for improvements in other areas, including public safety, job development, and support for veterans and service members.

As the 31st Assembly District representative, Arambula has successfully obtained millions of dollars to benefit communities in the district. These efforts include securing $70 million for Transformative Climate Communities to invest in disadvantaged communities; $18 million for State Route 269 in Huron; $10.5 million to improve public safety in the cities of Selma, Huron, Firebaugh and Mendota; and $6 million for the CalFood Program to assist local food banks in combating hunger, among other projects.

Arambula was born in Delano, the heart of the farmworker movement, and grew up in Fresno, where he attended public schools. He is a graduate of Bowdoin College in Maine and the University of Minnesota Medical School. Following graduation, he chose to return to Fresno to serve his community as a doctor.

His parents, Juan and Amy Arambula, instilled in their children a commitment to hard work, purpose and public service. Juan is a former Assembly member, and Amy is a health care advocate.

Dr. Joaquin Arambula and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Fresno with their three daughters.

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Jeff Coughlin

Senior Director of Government Relations
Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society

Jeff is the Senior Director of Government Relations at HIMSS. In this position, he leads HIMSS’s efforts to build stronger relationships with federal agencies and facilitates the building of a nationwide network of advocates for state-based initiatives that impact all aspects of health IT.

Before joining HIMSS, Jeff was the team leader for corporate accounts at the Marwood Group, where he worked with non-profit health systems, health IT vendors, professional societies, and trade associations, analyzing where they could most effectively influence legislative and regulatory processes and focus their advocacy efforts.

Jeff's career also included several years in the health care non-profit advocacy world, where he led efforts in policy development, directed outreach to Congress and Executive Branch agencies, built advocacy coalitions with like-minded organizations, and created robust grassroots networks. He also worked for the Department of Health and Human Services, where he was part of the team responsible for the development, implementation, and management of the Government Performance and Results Act within the Department.

His educational background includes a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the College of William & Mary and a BA in Political Science from Providence College.

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Jennifer Stoll

Executive VP Government Relations & Public Affairs
Oregon Community Health Information Network

Jennifer Stoll leads government relations and public affairs for OCHIN, a national non-profit organization that provides leading-edge technology, expertise, and research to community health organizations and other providers. With more than 25 years’ experience in the health care industry, Jennifer is a leading spokesperson at the intersection of technology and health policy.

Prior to joining OCHIN, Jennifer directed government affairs and advocacy strategies for pharmaceutical companies, such as Allergan, Inc. and Sepracor (Sunovion). Based at OCHIN’s headquarters in Portland, Oregon, she travels extensively as a representative and media spokesperson for OCHIN, giving voice to its network members and the historically underserved communities they support. Jennifer holds a B.A. from the University of Connecticut and serves on multiple state and national-level boards and committees, working to advance health equity through technology innovation.