Jennifer Jackson has served as CEO of the Connecticut Hospital Association and its affiliated organizations since 2000, overseeing advocacy, policy development, quality improvement, patient safety, community health and education initiatives.
She previously served as the organization’s general counsel and vice president of clinical services, overseeing legal and regulatory advocacy. Before joining CHA in 1988, she held nursing and nursing administration roles, including positions at the Hospital of St. Raphael.
Over the past year, Jackson said the Connecticut Hospital Association helped advance hospital tax reform aimed at improving Medicaid funding for Connecticut hospitals and health systems. The organization also continued efforts to streamline the state’s certificate of need process and advanced initiatives related to quality, patient safety, workforce development, maternal health and healthcare innovation.
Looking ahead, Jackson said hospitals face continued financial pressures from Medicaid underpayment, labor and pharmaceutical costs, inflation and workforce shortages, along with concerns that federal policy changes could increase the number of uninsured patients and uncompensated care.
If you could change one thing in the healthcare industry, what would it be?
Continuing to strengthen and stabilize Medicaid funding to better support patients, hospitals and the healthcare workforce. While important progress has been made, ongoing investment is essential to preserving access to care, reducing financial strain across the healthcare delivery system, and ensuring hospitals can continue serving their communities and investing in critical services, innovation and workforce development.