Site Map > About DMHC > Organization > Department Overview
- Welcome
-
Welcome
Californians are fortunate to have the strongest patients' rights laws in the nation. The DMHC is here to make sure these laws are followed and that all health plan members get the right care at the right time. Find out how in this section.
- Organization
- Laws
- General Information
- In the News
Department Overview
Lucinda "Cindy" Ehnes, Director
Department of Managed Health Care
Cindy Ehnes is the Director of the California Department of Managed Health Care,
the only stand-alone HMO watchdog agency in the nation, touching the lives of more
than 21 million enrollees. An attorney with 25 years of legal experience, primarily
in the area of health insurance and regulatory law, she is licensed to practice law
in both Colorado and California. She is a graduate of George Washington University
and Catholic University Law School, both in Washington, D.C.
In May, 2008, Cindy was named Public Administrator of the Year by the American Society
of Public Administration, Sacramento Chapter, for meritorious service and outstanding
contributions to the community.
In 2007, she was named one of "20 People Who Make Healthcare Better" by HealthLeaders
Magazine for being a policy leader who takes on complicated and controversial issues,
while creating a culture of accountability in the managed care industry.
She is a member of the Governor's Health Care Reform Team, and currently serves on the
Board of Directors for a number of organizations, including: the California Regional
Health Information Organization (CalRHIO), a statewide collaborative effort to build
a secure statewide health data exchange system; the Integrated Healthcare Association,
which focuses on developing pay-for-performance measures for provider groups; the
California Health Funders Strategy Project, a collaborative planning effort for
community clinics; the Health Information Technology Financing Advisory Commission,
tasked with overcoming impediments to access to capital for implementing health
information technology; the Privacy and Security Advisory Board, which leads a
collaboration of private and public healthcare stakeholders on the privacy and
security policies needed to implement exchange of health information; and the
E-Health Initiative, a national organization focused on health information technology adoption.
As a member of the US Disabled Ski Team in her younger days, she won seven gold medals
in international skiing competitions, and is still an avid skier. She serves on the
Board of Disabled Sports USA-Far West, encouraging others with disabilities to engage
in sport activities to gain self-confidence, mobility and greater independence.
She is the author of the Prentice Hall ADA Compliance Advisor, one of two books she
has written on the rights of those with disabilities.
