Background:
Jennifer Kent has more than fifteen years of extensive health administration and policy experience in California that spans over three gubernatorial administrations and encompasses both private and public delivery systems. As Director, Kent oversaw the second largest public healthcare system in the nation with an annual budget of over $100B and serving approximately 13 million Californians. She oversaw the administration of twenty-four managed care plans as well as 56 county behavioral health plans. Kent has also held leadership roles in the Health & Human Services Agency and Governor’s offices as well as experience in the private sector as a lobbyist, consultant and association executive.
Her accomplishments include:
- Served as the Governor’s lead policy and strategic advisor on California’s implementation of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, including the creation of the state health exchange legislation (Covered California) and other federal health reform measures;
- Led the development and negotiation with the federal government to adopt early provisions of the Affordable Care Act through a Section 1115 Waiver and secure $10 billion in new federal funding;
- Successfully developed and renegotiated the State’s 1115 waiver in 2015 with CMS that authorized California-focused program modifications such as a global payment program, safety-net redesign initiatives as well as obtaining $7 billion in new federal funding and creating a new national model for substance use disorder;
- Implemented several integration initiatives such as Whole Person Care and Whole Child Model to deliver enhanced primary care services using innovative and cost-effective mechanisms; and
- Negotiated three multi-billion-dollar managed care tax proposals over her career with support from industry, elected officials and the federal government.
Education:
MPA 2002, University of Southern California
BA 1995, Saint Mary’s College of California
Summary of Career Experience:
· 23 years of professional experience
· 15 years of executive experience
· 11 years in increasing leadership positions within state government
· 4 years in private-sector health executive roles
· More than 4 years leading the second largest health program in the nation
