Sellers Dorsey is delighted to announce it has welcomed Chris Bailey to the firm as Director of its Virginia state practice. Mr. Bailey spent 26 years in leadership roles at Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association (VHHA), where he successfully worked to strengthen access to health care and drive reforms through numerous strategic collaborations. At Sellers Dorsey Mr. Bailey’s charge is to help strengthen Medicaid for hundreds of thousands of Virginians participating in the program.
Mr. Bailey joined VHHA beginning in 1994 and had overall responsibility for financial policy issues, health data programs, VHHA’s strategic planning efforts and internal financial affairs. He also served as Executive Vice President of VHHA Services, focused on developing, offering, and managing an array of products, services, and solutions for member organizations.
“Sellers Dorsey is extremely fortunate to bring Chris on board to lead our work enhancing access and quality in health care in Virginia,” said Martin Sellers, Founder and CEO of Sellers Dorsey. “Chris shares the firm’s values and mission, and has a firm understanding of the opportunities, challenges, and landscape of health care and Medicaid in the Commonwealth. We are truly delighted to welcome him at this time.”
During his 26-year tenure, Mr. Bailey was integral to securing state and federal approval and implementation of Medicaid expansion and hospital rate enhancements resulting in improved access to care for more than 400,000 Virginians and delivering more than $1 billion in additional resources to VHHA member organizations. He also negotiated new Medicaid inpatient and outpatient hospital payment systems with the Commonwealth. Most recently Mr. Bailey coordinated and led the Commonwealth of Virginia’s COVID-19 Testing Advisory Council, bringing together the Governor’s office, health system and public health leaders, other providers, and labs crucial to guiding and implementing Virginia’s testing strategies. His many additional accomplishments are rooted in his pragmatic, diligent, non-partisan approach to working with legislative, regulatory, and other government entities – skills that will benefit current and future clients of Sellers Dorsey and ultimately individuals in the Medicaid program.
“What draws me to this opportunity at Sellers Dorsey is knowing I can work with a team of like-minded people with the desire and expertise to help Virginians receiving hospital, long-term, and other care through the Medicaid program,” said Mr. Bailey. “Parties across the health care ecosystem – from policy makers, to hospital leaders, patient advocates, nursing home providers, and people receiving Medicaid benefits – all have a shared interest in continually enhancing quality, value, and access to critical health care. In this position I can continue collaborating to achieve these goals.”
Prior to joining VHHA, Mr. Bailey served ten years with the Illinois Hospital Association where he developed a health policy reform proposal and the Association’s strategic plan. He holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master in Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan. Honors include the Hospital Administration Alumni Association’s Walter J. McNerney Thesis Award.
