David B. Kendall

David B. Kendall is a health policy analyst best known for crafting a new progressive agenda for health care. At the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) and its affiliate, the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), Mr. Kendall has developed innovative policies for reforming health care financing and delivery. His work has been praised on the editorial page of The New York Times, by national columnists such as Morton Kondracke and James Glassman, and by former Senators Bob Kerrey (D-NE) and John Breaux (D-LA) and Congressman Bill Thomas (R-CA).

Mr. Kendall has written extensively about a wide variety of health policy topics including universal coverage, reforming Medicare and Medicaid, health information technology, improving chronic illness care, and health courts. His work has influenced major health care debates from health care reform in 1994 to Medicare reform in 2003. He advocates for an ethic of shared responsibility in health care. He believes the government should ensure that all Americans have the resources and information they need to lead healthy lives, and individuals should have the freedom to make their own choices about their health and health care. 

Most of Mr. Kendall’s publications are available on the PPI website (http://www.ppionline.org). In addition, his articles have appeared in publications ranging from The Wall Street Journal to Health Affairs, a leading health policy journal. He has spoken extensively about health care issues and has made numerous television appearances including the ABC Evening News. He has served as a consultant for such organizations as the Institute of Medicine, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, and the Wye River Group on Healthcare.

Prior to joining PPI in 1994, he served for seven years on the staff of Congressman Michael A. Andrews (D TX) where he held several positions including legislative director and senior policy director. In 1994, he worked extensively with the Jackson Hole Group and Congressman Jim Cooper on major health reform legislation known as managed competition. In 1993, he served on the President’s Task Force on National Health Care Reform, and in 1986, Mr. Kendall was a legislative assistant to Congressman James R. Jones (D OK), a former chairman of the Budget Committee. He attended the University of Chicago as an undergraduate.

Mr. Kendall telecommutes from Missoula, Montana. He can be reached at ; (406) 543-2265; or 4021 Heritage Way, Missoula, MT 59802.

This Speaker's Events

Healthcare Forum: “Cost and Coverage:  Healthcare Chicken and Egg”

Healthcare reform has often been an argument between those who see cost as the paramount issue, and those more concerned with coverage. Should we consider cost and coverage separately, or must reform encompass both?

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