For Release: Immediate
June 4, 2000
(202) 778-3245
Nationally Acclaimed as a Leader in Health Care,
Tony Watson Is Named Chairman of AAHP
"Our Community's Strength Comes from Working Together to
Improve the Nation's Health," say the CEO of New York's HIP,
whose roots are in public health
(Orlando, FLA) – Anthony L. Watson, who has been recognized
for nearly a quarter of a century for his leadership in health care,
was named today as Chairman of the Board of the American Association
of Health Plans. Watson's election as Chairman took place at the industry's
annual membership meeting in Orlando, Florida.
Watson is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HIP Health Plans
(HIP), one of the largest HMOs in the United States. By the time Watson
joined HIP in 1985, he had almost 20 years of experience in major
public health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control.
Author, educator, and athlete, Watson competed in the long jump event
in Rome in 1960 as a member of the United States Olympic Track Team.
Watson has been widely recognized for his commitment to his community,
his ability to treat differences as strengths, and his ability to
bring people together to solve problems.
"Tony Watson is a leader in every sense of the word," said
U.S. Congressman Charles B. Rangel from New York. "He knows how
to inspire people to work together to accomplish common goals no matter
how difficult the objective. The nation will benefit from his experience,
insight and personal integrity into how to help solve our health care
concerns. The AAHP has made a superb choice in naming him to this
key position," Rangel said.
"Tony Watson has demonstrated outstanding civic and business
leadership qualities and has always been there when the City needed
his support," said New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani. "He is
among the people we are proud to say is a New Yorker and as such is
an inspired choice to lead the nation's health care industry,"
Guiliani said.
"I take great pride in my new role in the community of health
plans," said Watson, who noted as important initiatives the association's
Code of Conduct and its effort to save the Medicare+Choice program
for the nation's seniors. He will focus as chairman on initiatives
designed to build trust and confidence in managed care, improve consumer
information and customer service, resolve problems effectively, and
simplify patient and physician experiences with health plans.
Watson says he intends to encourage the organization to build on its
recent successes through concerted outreach to colleagues in the health
plan, medical, hospital, and consumer communities.
"Tony Watson's name is synonymous with personal and professional
integrity," said Kenneth E. Raske, president, Greater New York
Hospital Association. "The health care industry has chosen its
new leadership wisely, and I look forward to working with Tony and
the AAHP on matters of mutual concern," he said
"Only an industry working together can adequately address the
outside challenges," Watson emphasized, noting that it has been
just a few years since the merger of two predecessor organizations
strengthened the association's ability to speak with one voice. "Only
an industry focused on resolving issues can take full advantage of
opportunities to improve the nation's health," he added.
"I am privileged to follow Phil Nudelman as Chairman of the AAHP
Board," said Watson. Watson noted that the association became
a major force for enhanced quality and consumerism in health care
during the two years Nudelman served as its chair, a tenure highlighted
by the adoption of the industry's comprehensive Code of Conduct.
In 1997, New York Mayor Rudolph Guiliani honored Watson for HIP's
leadership in forming a partnership with Victim Services to start
a program to identify and treat victims of domestic violence. In 1998
Watson was named by President Clinton to serve as a member of the
National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare. Watson is
the recipient of numerous awards, including the Schlesinger Aware
for Outstanding Contributions to Community Health Planning.
AAHP is the largest national trade organization representing health
maintenance organizations (HMOs), preferred provider organizations
(PPOs), and other similar health plans that provide health care coverage
to more than 140 million Americans.
