WVHA Team

Jim Kaufman serves as President and CEO of the West Virginia Hospital Association (WVHA). Prior to joining WVHA, Jim served as vice president of public policy for the Children’s Hospital Association and director of government affairs for the Johns Hopkins Institutions.

With over 25 years of health policy experience, he has advocated at the federal, state, and local levels, addressing a variety of issues to improve access to care including Medicaid hospital payments, Medicare physician incentive reforms, and biomedical research. Jim’s experience also includes the Maryland Higher Education Commission and the Maryland General Assembly.

In addition, Jim is a member of the Center for Organ Recovery and Education (CORE) Board of Trustees, the West Virginia University’s Master of Health Administration Advisory Board, an instructor with the West Virginia Rural Community Health Scholars programs, and the American Legion Mountaineer Boys State program.

Jim earned his bachelor’s degree from McDaniel College, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Baltimore and a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore Graduate Schools.

The West Virginia Hospital Association is based in Charleston, WV.

Coordinates WVHA legislative strategy and advocacy efforts.  Develops legislative policy and strategy, monitors state and federal policy that affects healthcare and hospitals and implements plan to address legislative priorities for the Association.  Assists hospitals with cultivating relationships with government officials at all levels.

Updates members on pending legislation and regulations.  Develops publications and other materials to inform and educate the media and public about healthcare issues.

Grassroots Advocacy – coordinates grassroots advocacy activities through local hospital networks (HOSNET) to support WVHA public policy agenda.

Political Action – Organizes fundraising campaigns and coordinates the endorsement process of statewide elected officials and candidates through the hospital political action committee (HOSPAC).

Coordinates WVHA advocacy efforts and develops Association policy with regard to Medicare, Medicaid, PEIA and other governmental payor financing issues and the development of managed care in West Virginia.

Provides Data services and information, provides guidelines and suggests strategies to assist member hospitals to effectively monitor financial health.

Responsible for issues related to hospital licensure, quality improvement organization activities, medical practice acts, licensing boards and actions, quality, utilization review, risk management, malpractice, medical records, infection control, outcome measurement, medical staff issues, hospital accreditation issues, AHA data profiles, database development and maintenance, and Internet/Intranet development and maintenance.

Coordinates the activities of the WVHA Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Network.  The WVHA CAH Network was established in 2004 with the coordination and support of the West Virginia Hospital Association.  The CAH Network receives financial support through member dues with grant funding from the West Virginia Rural Health Systems Program administered by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.

Provides support to individual hospitals and hospital planning regions in being prepared for all types of emergencies and disasters. Through the WVHA coordinated Statewide Disaster Taskforce, participating hospitals receive funding for emergency response equipment and supplies, training opportunities, and assistance with exercises to test and improve response plans. WVHA is a sub-recipient of federal Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) funds, through the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.

Coordinates activities associated with the recruitment, retention, and pipeline of the hospital workforce. Connects stakeholders, supports innovative programs, and synthesizes data to monitor the workforce and make informed decisions.

West Virginia Health Services (WVHS), Inc. is a subsidiary of the West Virginia Hospital Association.  WVHS’ mission is “To provide cost effective ‘core’ related health services owned or offered jointly by West Virginia Health Services and others to healthcare providers and/or health-related support businesses.”