Gretchen Young to retire as Senior Vice President for Health Policy, James Gelfand to join ERIC in April
For Immediate Release
Washington, DC – The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) announced today that Gretchen Young, Senior Vice President for Health Policy is retiring. James Gelfand will join ERIC in her place.
Young, who started working at ERIC in 2009, has led ERIC and its members through the legislative and regulatory maze of the Affordable Care Act, threats to employer wellness programs, and numerous other challenges to employer-sponsored health plans. She helped ERIC’s large employer member companies –leaders in every sector of the economy –understand new laws and regulations. Young successfully advanced policies to reduce compliance and tax burdens, including delaying the health care “Cadillac” tax. Her efforts were critical to ERIC members’ ability to continue providing health benefits to workers and families across the country. Prior to joining ERIC, she worked for the Internal Revenue Service, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), the U.S. Department of Labor, as well as several consulting firms.
“ERIC will miss Gretchen’s leadership, her deep knowledge of health policy and her tireless efforts to support plan sponsors. Policymakers, the media and the advocacy community also relied upon her expertise and ability to quickly determine the potential impact of proposed rules on employers,” said Annette Guarisco Fildes, president and CEO, ERIC.
James Gelfand’s first day is April 12. He and Young will work together to ensure a seamless transition until Young’s last day on May 6.
Gelfand, an accomplished health policy expert, lawyer, and government relations advocate, joins ERIC from the March of Dimes, where as Director of Federal Affairs he has successfully advanced policies critical to the health of women and children. Gelfand previously worked as Director of Health Policy for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and as counsel to Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and to Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK), covering health care and other Senate Finance Committee issues. Gelfand also previously worked at ERIC as a health policy lobbyist.
“We are very excited to welcome James Gelfand back to the ERIC staff. His experience on Capitol Hill and in the advocacy community, combined with his broad knowledge of health benefit policies make him perfectly suited to represent our large employer members and support their continued sponsorship of health plans,” said Guarisco Fildes. “James will extend the ERIC tradition of steadfast advocacy of large employers on legislation, regulations and litigation affecting their ability to design, administer, comply with and pay for health benefits for employees, retirees and families.”
“I’m thrilled at the opportunity to return to ERIC and work to advance the health priorities of major employers. Gretchen leaves immense shoes to fill, and her assistance with the transition will be invaluable,” said Gelfand. “Although it has been nearly a decade since I last served at ERIC, I look forward to reconnecting with many ERIC member companies and their staff, and to meeting and working together to achieve positive change and real results for plan sponsors.”