The Oregon Health Care Association (OHCA) is pleased to announce that Libby Batlan has joined the association as senior vice president of government relations. In this position, Batlan will lead OHCA’s advocacy efforts and work with policymakers, the state, and community advocates to ensure that Oregon remains a national leader in providing long term care services and supports to aging Oregonians and people living with disabilities.
“Libby is well respected in the state legislature and is a welcome addition to the OHCA team,” said Phil Bentley, incoming president and CEO of the Oregon Health Care Association. “Her work will help our members meet the current challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and enhance the association’s mission of advocating for quality long term care in Oregon. This work comes at a critical time as we are in the midst of a global pandemic and more Oregonians than ever before will need long term care services over the next twenty years as the baby boomer generation ages.”
Batlan spent the last five years as the associate vice president for state and community affairs for the University of Oregon. Batlan has past work experience holding staff positions in the House Speaker’s Office, the Senate Majority Office, and managing successful political campaigns. Batlan also worked in corporate social responsibility for The Wonderful Company Foundation in Los Angeles. Batlan earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communication and political science from Linfield College and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Southern California.
Batlan will be stepping into the position left by Bentley as he transitions into the role of president and CEO for the Oregon Health Care Association starting on January 1, 2021.
OHCA has seen additional changes to their government relations team. Chris Madden has been promoted to director of legislative and political affairs. In this new role, Madden’s responsibilities will continue to include legislative advocacy. He will also lead OHCA’s political activities, including managing the political action committee and electoral engagement. He has worked at the organization since 2016. Prior to joining OHCA, Madden worked for a lobbying firm in Portland and was an English instructor with Teach for America in Detroit. Chris earned his bachelor’s degree in political science, summa cum laude, from the University of Oregon.
