(Some) Governors Come to Virginia

Many of the nation's governors visited historic Williamsburg, Virginia for the annual summer meeting of the National Governors Association (NGA).  Maybe I am biased because it is my adopted home state, but the July NGA 2012 meeting was one of the best I have attended.  

Some of the highlights...

The top highlight had to be learning about the importance of drinking beer out of a glass from Governor Hickenlooper (D-CO).  Governor, if there is someone I am going to take advice from on beer drinking etiquette, it is you.  I will no longer make the mistake of drinking out of a bottle again.  To quote the governor, "It is just barbaric."

The keynote discussions focused on leadership and entrepreneurship.  Jim Collins (of Good to Great and Great by Choice fame) and Steve Blank (author of Start-Up Owners Manual) gave some great advice to the governors.  The best idea was from Professor Blank in the closing session, telling governors to make sure they had a StartUp America chapter in their state.  StartUp America is providing training and support for start-ups and entrepreneurs, and helping states and localities ensure that they provide the best legislative and regulatory environments for new businesses to grow and succeed.  As a StartUp America member, I look forward to working with StartUp Virginia and StartUp DC on some local initiatives. 

I really enjoyed the education debate from the current and former Secretaries of Education, Arne Duncan and Margaret Spellings.  These two are obviously passionate about education.  There was great discussion about the U.S. education system at all levels.  In general, the governors agreed with the high standards set by the administration, but asked for more flexibility for waivers to allow them to actually achieve those goals.  Secretary Duncan had one of the best quotes when discussing the importance of not only rewarding great teachers, but challenging them as well.  He said, "It's got to be a badge of honor, pinnacle of your career to work in communities that need the most help."

Last but not least was the panel on innovations in Medicaid.  And it could not have been more timely.  Medicaid is, or will soon be, the single largest expenditure for many states, yet few states are achieving the outcomes that suggest they are providing quality healthcare through the program.  There were some great examples of how different types of managed care models are saving money and providing better health outcomes.  In what must have been music to every Republican (and even every Democratic) governor's ears, all three panelists - Jeffrey Brenner, MD (Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers), Jennifer DeCubellis (Hennepin County Health) and David H. Vellinga (Mercy Medical Center) - agreed, there is enough money in the system to treat everyone if federal and state governments start spending more wisely and focusing on quality of care rather than quantity of care. 

And some lowlights...

I can only think of one.  While this year was one of the best NGA meetings in terms of content, it was one of the worst in terms of attendance.  Too many governors skipped the summer meeting, and I believe they are doing a disservice to their state and the people that elected them.  NGA meetings are great forums for sharing ideas and best practices and they are famous for having long, closed-door policy debates that help shape our national policy.  My advice to governors - Attend both NGA meetings each year.  I know it is an election year for many of the you, but it is important that you and your staff participate; share your state's unique stories; and bring at least one good idea from some other state back home to try.  I think it will lead to better politics and better policy.

And other notes of interest ...

Throughout the meeting, NGA announced a few new initiatives.  The Healthcare division of the NGA's Center for Best Practices recently began working with states on a prescription drug abuse prevention project and helping states introduce community care teams as part to create cost savings in their state's Medicaid programs.  In addition, the new Chair of the NGA, Governor Jack Merkell (D-DE) unveiled his initiative - A Better Bottom Line, Employing People With Disabilities, which will focus on education, training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities, including our returning wounded warriors.

I am already looking forward to next year's summer meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.