Commonwealth Care Alliance Welcomes Melissa Shannon as Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs

Boston, July 30, 2013 — Commonwealth Care Alliance announced today that Melissa Shannon has joined the organization to serve as Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs.

“With over 15 years of experience working at the intersection of government affairs and the health care industry in Massachusetts, Melissa will be a valuable asset to Commonwealth Care Alliance,” said Lois Simon, President of Commonwealth Care Alliance. “Melissa’s proven health policy background will enable her to communicate and connect with the right audiences to help us achieve our legislative and policy goals.”

In this position, Shannon will work in collaboration with the President and CEO to develop the organization’s federal and state government relations strategy.  She will communicate with lobbyists, associations, elected officials and staff, and state agencies to convey the organization’s positions on health issues for the state’s most vulnerable citizens.

Shannon most recently served as Director of State Government Relations for Boston Children’s Hospital where she managed the hospital’s state legislative and regulatory agenda, including the hospital’s involvement in payment reform, public health advocacy and injury prevention legislation. She previously worked as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, leading MassHealth’s legislative and policy affairs unit. 

Shannon received a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University and a law degree from Northeastern University School of Law. She lives in Jamaica Plain, Mass.

About Commonwealth Care Alliance

Commonwealth Care Alliance is a nonprofit care delivery system committed to providing integrated health care and related social support services. Created in 2003, Commonwealth

Care Alliance is a “consumer-governed” organization offering a full spectrum of medical and social services for people with complex needs covered under Medicaid and for those “dually eligible” for both Medicaid and Medicare. Commonwealth Care Alliance has been selected to participate in Massachusetts’ One Care: MassHealth plus Medicare program, a new health care option for Massachusetts adults, ages 21 to 64, with physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, serious mental illness, and substance abuse disorders, who are eligible for both MassHealth and Medicare (dual eligibles), which will begin on Oct. 1, 2013. Commonwealth Care Alliance also offers the Senior Care Options Program (HMO SNP), a comprehensive health plan that provides all the services covered under Medicare and MassHealth, and other benefits as determined necessary by an interdisciplinary primary care team. Services are coordinated by the primary care team and are accessed through our preferred provider network. Senior Care Options Program is a health plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts/EOHHS. Enrollment is voluntary.

For more information on Commonwealth Care Alliance, visit www.commonwealthcare.org or call 1-866-610-2273.

Commonwealth Care Alliance is not affiliated with the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority’s Commonwealth Care program.

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