National Patient Advocate Foundation Chief of Staff Assumes New Role as President; State Government Relations Executive Joins Team

Larry Lanier to Help Direct Nation's Leading Patient Advocacy Organization in Formulating Strategies to Inform and Influence Health Policy at State and Federal Levels; Jason Ranville to Lead Efforts in State Government Relations.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF) – a national, non-profit organization dedicated to the mission of creating avenues of improved patient access to healthcare through public policy reform at the state and federal levels –today announced the promotion of Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President of State Government Relations, Larry Lanier to President of the foundation. In addition, NPAF announced a new hire to lead the state government relations team.

"NPAF's strong leadership has helped build on the foundation's success in advancing government policies that best serve our mission – to assist those in need of access to quality healthcare," said Alan Balch, Chief Executive Officer of the Patient Advocate Foundation and NPAF. Larry Lanier has demonstrated his commitment to this organization's goals for patient advocacy as Chief of Staff.  I look forward to working with him in his new and expanded role as President of NPAF on the many policy challenges that patients face when trying to access the health care system."

Larry R. Lanier is promoted to President. Lanier joined NPAF in 2011 as Vice President of State Government Relations and spearheaded NPAF's state efforts for two years. In 2012, Lanier was promoted to Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President of State Government Relations. Although Lanier's responsibilities are significantly expanded, he will continue to play an important leadership role in state advocacy efforts for patients in addition to building strong relationships with advocacy partners. Prior to joining NPAF, Lanier served as a health care executive and lobbyist for twenty-five years.

Jason Ranville joins NPAF as Director of State Government Relations. For the past six years, Ranville served as Assistant Director of State Affairs for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation where he successfully engaged in all phases of state government affairs. Prior to that experience, Ranville served as an Intervention Program Coordinator for the Penn State University Office of Health Promotion and Education. Ranville began his career as a mental health therapist and has earned two Masters Degrees in Health Policy and Administration, and in Counseling.

"NPAF is pleased to announce this well-earned promotion for Mr. Lanier and to welcome Mr. Ranville to our team. Their collective experience in both government relations and nonprofit management will help further strengthen our organization's abilities in serving as the voice for patients across America," said Nancy Davenport-Ennis, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of NPAF.

"In the course of my career I have worked for health care providers, health plans and now for the nation's leading patient advocate organization," said Lanier, "what motivates me every day is the mission and the vision of this organization. When you meet the patients, when you hear their stories, it gives you the sense that what you are doing in life is important. It gives you the sense that you are making a real difference for real people."

Larry Lanier lives in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Jason Ranville resides in Washington, DC.

NPAF and its companion organization, the Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF), were established in 1996 on the principle that health care is a basic human need and shared social responsibility.  NPAF is dedicated to working with Congress and all levels of government to overcome challenges and create solutions that will allow for high-quality, affordable health care for all. In 2009, PAF case managers assisted 55,384 patients, each with chronic, life-threatening or debilitating conditions struggling to access health care.  Additionally, PAF responds to millions of online requests for information or chat line support.  For more information see www.npaf.org.

SOURCE National Patient Advocate Foundation