Press Releases
01/23/2018
Gov. Malloy Appoints Vicki Veltri to Lead State’s Office of Health Strategy
New State Office Combines Existing State Healthcare Resources into Centralized Agency
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that he is appointing Victoria Veltri of Colchester to serve as Executive Director of the state’s Office of Health Strategy, a new state office created through the consolidation of several existing resources as part of the bipartisan state budget that was adopted in October. The office, which begins operations on February 1, will be responsible for implementing data-driven strategies that promote equal access to healthcare, improve the value of healthcare, contain costs, and ensure better healthcare systems for Connecticut residents.
It combines resources and personnel from several existing state offices, including the state’s Chief Health Policy Advisor from within the Lt. Governor’s Office, the State Innovation Model Project Management Office, the Health Information Technology Office, the Office of Health Care Access, and the All Payers Claims Database. By combining experts, data and goals, the new office, which resides within the Department of Public Health for administrative purposes, will provide integrated, comprehensive leadership to improve healthcare systems and health in Connecticut.
“I’m very pleased to name Vicki Veltri to head the Office of Health Strategy,” Governor Malloy said. “Connecticut must have a clear vision for achieving accessible, affordable healthcare, and we must make the best use of the resources, information, and data that we currently have. Vicki’s background and experience make her a natural choice to head this effort and transform not just our healthcare system, but also how government, providers, insurers, and consumers work together to build a better system for everyone.”
“The Office of Health Strategy has bipartisan support to address the many issues around healthcare – access, affordability, closing race and gender gaps in care, and cost equity,” Lt. Governor Wyman said. “Vicki is an expert in this field and has strong relationships across all sectors that will help us continue our work on healthcare. Under her leadership, this office will be able to quickly and cohesively respond to federal changes and ensure Connecticut policy is supporting our goals and moving our healthcare system in the right direction. I applaud Governor Malloy’s decision to nominate her.”
“I thank Governor Malloy and Lt. Governor Wyman for their trust and confidence,” Veltri said. “Connecticut has made strong progress on healthcare coverage and accessibility, but there is much more we need to do to address health outcomes, healthcare costs, health inequities and care delivery and payment reforms. Healthcare isn’t a partisan issue, the Office of Health Strategy will help us move forward collaboratively to address these issues with our stakeholders.”
Veltri currently serves as Chief Health Policy Advisor in the Office of Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman. In this position, she coordinates the state’s healthcare reform initiatives and serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Access Health CT, the state’s healthcare exchange, as well as on the board of Connecticut Partners for Health.
Prior to that role, she served as Connecticut’s Healthcare Advocate, during which time she oversaw efforts to assist and protect consumers dealing with healthcare issues. Earlier in her career, she was a staff attorney at Greater Hartford Legal Aid, Inc., where she helped lead statewide efforts to preserve and improve Medicaid and other benefit programs.
“Vicki Veltri is a nationally recognized expert and leader in health policy, and through her work has brought a passion and drive to improving the lives of others,” Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney (D-New Haven) said. “Vicki is the perfect choice to lead the Office of Health Strategy and I commend Governor Malloy and Lt. Governor Wyman for this selection.”
“The Office of Health Strategy was formed as a result of bipartisan efforts to create one agency tasked with looking at overall state health policy and coordinating state efforts to improve the system and promote access to high quality affordable care for all residents,” Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Len Fasano (R-North Haven) said. “This is an important step in advancing healthcare policy in Connecticut. I am glad to see this move forward with the leadership of Vicki Veltri.”
Veltri received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the University of Connecticut, a Juris Doctor degree from Western New England College School of Law, and a Master of Laws from New York University School of Law. She is admitted to the bar in Connecticut, New York, the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
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