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.