Katie (Strong) Hays is executive director in the Congressional and Public Affairs Division and is the Chamber's lead lobbyist on all issues related to health care and health reform.

Hays, who joined the Chamber in 2004, represents the organization on numerous coalitions, including the National Coalition on Benefits (co-chair, Lobbying Subcommittee; and member, Steering Committee); the HSA Working Group (co-chair, Lobbying Committee); and the Small Business Coalition for Affordable Healthcare (co-chair, House Lobbying Committee).

Hays is a regular presenter to state and local chambers during Washington, D.C., fly-ins and is a frequent speaker at health care events, both in D.C. and around the country. She is an associate member of the Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation and a member of Health on Wednesday, an organization for women who represent the interests of health professionals, trade associations, and small businesses.

James P. Gelfand joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in August 2007. He co-manages the Chamber's Employee Benefits Committee, the body responsible for formulating policy positions on health and retirement issues. Gelfand advocates on behalf of Chamber members on health policy issues pending before Congress and the federal agencies, including comprehensive health reform, ERISA preemption, mental health parity, small business health plans, health privacy and confidentiality, Medicare reform, consumerist health options, comparative effectiveness, mandates, and coverage for the uninsured.

Gelfand is a contributor to the National Journal's Health Care Expert Blog and to the U.S. Chamber's ChamberPost blog, and writes for Health Care News. He is quoted regularly in publications including The New York Times, the National Journal, and Business Insurance and is interviewed by major news networks and talk radio.

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