Location
This virtual event will 1) provide historical context to health insurance access in SC, 2) describe other states' experiences with expanding Medicaid, 3) focus on economic incentives of federal policies to increase healthcare coverage in SC, and 4) share public opinion about increasing healthcare access in SC. A registration link is below, along with our panelists' bios!
The second session on March 23 will 1) take a deep dive into misconceptions about public health insurance (e.g., Medicaid), 2) address confusing rhetoric concerning healthcare access in SC, and 3) give a Call to Action where we provide talking points and facts with viewers to share with their networks to keep the conversation going.
This event is co-sponsored by the following organizations: Palmetto Project, Trident United Way, LWV of South Carolina, Women's Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN), Fetter Healthcare Network, the SC Nurses Association, the SC Small Business Chamber, Charleston Area Justice Ministry, Unitarian Church in Charleston, the Jolley Foundation, Physicians for a National Health Program South Carolina, the Circular Congregational Church, and the Coastal Community Foundation.
PANELISTS
Elizabeth A. Brown, Ph.D., M.P.A. is an academic educator and health services researcher from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Her work focuses on social determinants of health (SDOH), particularly race/ethnicity, access to primary care, health care policy, and chronic conditions. She has published several research articles about Medicaid expansion and its impact on healthcare access. Dr. Brown is the Health Policy Director for the League of Women Voters of the Charleston area and serves as the Co-Chair of the State League’s Healthcare Workgroup. She is a member of AcademyHealth, which is the national Health Services Research (HSR) organization. She served on AcademyHealth's State Health Research Interest Group Advisory Committee (2019-2021). Dr. Brown was a Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Fellow (2015-2018). In 2021, she was awarded MUSC President’s Values in Action Award for Respect. Dr. Brown received her undergraduate degree in English-Journalism from Columbia College in Columbia, SC and her Ph.D. in Health & Rehabilitation Science from MUSC.
Elaine F H Chhean joined the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) in June 2021 as Special Assistant to the Executive Director. In this role she supports the Executive Director on strategy, special projects, and coordination across teams and with external partners. In addition, she works with NASHP's teams on projects relating to social determinants of health, health equity, Medicaid, and behavioral health. Prior to joining NASHP, Elaine provided technical assistance to state health policy leaders as part of the National Governors Association, Center for Best Practices and the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy. Elaine began her career at Maryland's Medicaid agency, working on behavioral health policy. Elaine has a Master of Public Health from the University of Maryland, where she also worked in the Dean's office, and has a BS in Biological Sciences and BA in Cultural Anthropology from UMBC.
Darrin Goss Sr. is the President & Chief Executive Officer of Coastal Community Foundation, the largest community foundation in South Carolina, serving all nine counties on the coast. With his guidance, the Foundation crafted a Civic Engagement Agenda to communicate the systemic issues and inequities burdening the coastal South Carolina region, and how the Foundation will work as a community leader in areas of housing, education and economic development. He has also been instrumental in establishing the Foundation’s first advocacy initiative, the Policy Agenda, as well as the first Place-Based Impact Investing Program to provide capital to emerging enterprises that address social needs.
Before joining Coastal Community Foundation, Darrin worked as President & CEO of Capital Area United Way in Baton Rouge, LA and was previously Vice President of Community Impact at United Way of Greenville County. Darrin participated in The Riley Institute’s Diversity Leadership Institute in 2010 and is a Class of 2018 Liberty Fellow. He serves on the board of the Lowcountry’s Tri-
County Cradle to Career Collaborative and on the One Region Executive Committee. Darrin is currently serving as Board Chair of MDC, Inc. in Durham, NC. His book The Leadership Option: Decision Making Essentials was self-published in 2014 and is available on Amazon. A U.S. Army veteran, Darrin received his undergraduate degree from Wofford College and his masters from North Greenville University.
Jo Pauling-Jones is a native South Carolinian with more than 35 years of executive non-profit leadership, community engagement, advocacy and outreach experience. She enjoys connecting with people and credits that joy for allowing her to establish the deep relationships she has with people in every region of the Palmetto State. Professionally, Ms. Pauling-Jones has served in multiple executive and non-profit leadership roles, as well as county and state government during her career. She is the former associate state director of advocacy and outreach for the American Association of Retired Person (AARP) South Carolina. To balance her professional interests, Jo enjoys spending time her husband, three adult children, granddaughter Noah, as well as her siblings and extended family - especially at their 5th Sunday Dinners. She also enjoys reading, being a sideline coach and cheering on her youngest son’s college basketball team (Stetson University – Go Hatters!!!), cooking and for those who know her well – laughing!
