About GPS
Rose M. Naff, CEO
Government Policy Solutions was established in 2008 under the direction of Rose M. Naff.
Naff is a proven leader and innovator in the area of child health policy, outreach, insurance and health care finance. In 1990 Naff joined the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation. Over the course of 18 years she developed the Corporation into a national model; assisted in implementing state and national health care policies; established fiscal guidelines for programs throughout the country; and worked closely with both state and federal legislators.
GPS clients benefit from Naff's in-depth knowledge and vast experience in state, local and national government issues related to health care and the uninsured. Known for designing and implementing innovative and successful programs designed specifically for the uninsured, Naff's expertise adds credibility while enhancing client's goals.
A recognized industry expert, Naff has provided testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance and to legislative committees in several states. A frequent speaker at state and national conferences, Naff is an award winning communicator.
Innovations in…
Policy Development and Implementation:
Under Naff's executive leadership, the concept of school enrollment-based health insurance coverage was designed and implemented. The concept was proven successful during the years 1992-1998 as documented and reported by ABC, NBC, CNN, The Wall Street Journal and numerous local newspapers and publications.
Utilization of comparable social service programs in determining eligibility - commonly known as “Express-lane Eligibility” - was pioneered in Florida when Naff’s team utilized the School Lunch Program to confirm income eligibility for services.
Because of her unique knowledge and skills, in 1996 Naff was tapped by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to serve as National Program Director, administering a $5 million grant to assist program replication in five states.
Passive Renewal practices were also initiated in Florida during her tenure with the Healthy Kids program, a practice that several states have adopted in whole or part.
Product Development:
In 1990 Naff participated in the development of a unique insurance product designed specifically for children. In 1997, that same product was grand-fathered into federal legislation creating the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Over a period of 16 years, 964,107 previously uninsured children were covered, providing 27,455,347 months of health care coverage.
Computer systems designed to make eligibility decisions in social service programs are complex. On three separate occasions, Naff headed 2-year system design and procurement teams. By the end of 2007, the resulting systems had considered over 2 million children for health care coverage in SCHIP and Children’s Medicaid.
Social Marketing:
First utilized in 1991 under Naff’s direction, school based outreach is now a nationally accepted method of identifying and enrolling persons into health and human service programs.
The 2005 "Once Chance, One Month" campaign generated 90,000 applications for health insurance coverage in a 30 day period, a national record which stands today.
"Project Pathfinder" provided a seven-step interactive process with families learning to navigate new renewal requirements during the highly disruptive Hurricane season of 2004.
Awards and Recognition:
Naff has been recognized on numerous accounts for her efforts on behalf of Florida’s uninsured children. During her tenure with Florida Healthy Kids:
Naff accepted a1996 Innovations in American Government Award from the Ford Foundation and the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. The program was again recognized by Harvard in 2002 as a sustaining model of public-sector innovation of national significance.
Received the 2005 Jack Hardy Health Care Communicator of the Year award from the Florida Hospital Association.
Published Research:
Shenkman E, Vogel B, Boyett J, Naff R. (2002) Disenrollment and Re-enrollment Patterns in a SCHIP. Health Care Financing Review. 23:47-63.
Shenkman E, Vogel B, Brooks R, Wegener D, Naff R. (2001) Race and Ethnicity and the Identification of Special Needs Children? In Press, Health Care Financing Review.
Shenkman E, Bucciarelli R, Wegener DH, Naff R, Freedman S. (1999). Crowd Out: Evidence From the Florida Healthy Kids Program. Pediatrics. 104:507-513.
Shenkman E., Pendergast J, Wegener DH, Hartzel T, Naff R, Freedman S, Bucciarell R. (1997). Children’s Health Care Use in the Healthy Kids Program. Pediatrics. 100, 947-953.
