CALPERS: System Hires New Health Adviser from North Carolina

      The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) has hired the current VP of University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina as its "top health adviser," the Raleigh News & Observer reports. Allen Feezor, VP of network development and managed care of the six-hospital Greenville-based health system, will be advising an organization second only to the federal government in purchasing clout for public health benefits in a state widely recognized as a "launch pad" for national trends in health care. CalPERS Chief Executive James Burton said that the "person who holds this post plays a leading role in American health care reform at a time when the industry is facing unprecedented new challenges." At Eastern Carolina, Feezor "pushed" to make health care more affordable for small business and helped the uninsured to secure coverage. Prior to that role, he ran North Carolina's employee health plan for three years. He also is currently vice chair of the North Carolina Institute of Medicine and serves on the national advisory committee for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Pam Silberman, associate director at the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at UNC-Chapel Hill, asserted that Feezor has been "instrumental" in reforming health care services in the state. "He has a unique perspective because he understands the role of the insurer, the health-care provider and the regulator," Silberman said. Upon joining CalPERS Jan. 1, Feezor will oversee 10 HMO plans' coverage of more than 1 million California state employees and retirees (Wolf, 10/26).