"Knowledge is King"!

May 22, 2012

Ms. Pam Kehaly,

President, Anthem Blue Cross

1 Wellpoint Way

Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

Regarding: National Healthcare Safety Network

Dear Ms. Kehaley,

Please allow me to thank you for your detailed description of the workings of the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) and the good work of the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP) at the CDC. My knowledge of the work of the C.D.C. has been greatly enhanced thanks to your detailed descriptions, my advocacy will continue to support their efforts with regards to patient safety.

In the near future my advocacy will be looking at the work of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) and the Partnership for Patients with their efforts concerning hospital acquired infections (HAI).

Anthem Blue Cross's Q-HIP ( Quality Hospital Insights) and the origins of my advocacy, "Patient Safety First" will still be a point of focus!

My advocacy will only progress as far as the leaders of the medical communities such as yourself and our elected officials wish for it to go, so far it has truly exceeded my expectations! This information will help me in my advocacy to ensure our Veteran's Hospitals have the best tools to combat H.A.I. in their facilities!

Once again, "thank you" for your time and the inspiration you and Anthem Blue Cross have given me to develop my advocacy and our mutual interest in it's success.

Sincerely, http://h-a-i-5.blogspot.com

Michael H. Slavinski

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/aug/23/business/la-fi-hospital-infections-20110823

Page 2 National Healthcare Safety Network

Honorable President of the United States Barack Obama

Honorable United Stated Senator Dianne Feinstein

Honorable United States Senator Barbara Boxer

Honorable Majority Whip United States Congressman Kevin McCarthy

Honorable Governor Edmond G. Brown Jr.

The Great State of California

Honorable California Senator Sam Blakeslee

Honorable California Assemblymember William W. Monning

Chair, Committee on Health Care

Honorable California Assemblymember Katcho Achadjian

Ms. Donna M. Beiter, RN, MSN

Director,

V.A. Greater Los Angeles Healthcare Systems

Mark R. Chassin, M.D., F.A.C.P., M.P. P., M.P.H.

President

The Joint Commission

Ms. Amy Panagopoulos

Senior Director

The Joint Commission

Mr. Eddy W. Hartenstrin

Publisher and Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles Times

President and Chief Executive Officer, Tribune Company

Staff,

Anthem Blue Cross

If we can improve the quality of care, that will translate into lower cost," Anthem President Pam Kehaly said. "These are real dollars."