Two Indian Americans Appointed, One Reappointed to Medicare Advisory Committee. In a significant development, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has appointed two Indian Americans, Dr. Henish Bhansali and Dr. Krishna Ramachandran, to the influential Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC). Another Indian American Dr. Soujanya R. Pulluru has been retained. Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States and head of the GAO, announced these appointments, emphasizing their expertise in value-based payment and care models as crucial to shaping future Medicare policy.
Dr. Soujanya “Chinni” Pulluru is also the newly appointed co-chair of HHS committee working on Medicare, first Indian American to hold this position.
Dr. Soujanya (Chinni) Pulluru, MD, is a visionary leader in sustainable healthcare, known for her dedication to advancing value-based care and innovative healthcare solutions. As the founder of several initiatives aimed at improving global health, she brings a wealth of experience from her previous role as Vice President and Chief Clinical Executive at Walmart, where she led transformative programs focused on accessible, patient-centered care. Dr. Pulluru is also a passionate advocate for women’s and youth health, actively advising boards on strategies that prioritize wellness and sustainability. Her commitment to humanizing healthcare drives her mission to create meaningful, lasting impacts in communities worldwide.
“PTAC provides valuable information to the Department of Health and Human Services aimed at maximizing the value of the $1 trillion in annual Medicare spending,” Dodaro noted. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of two new committee members with extensive knowledge and experience in value-based payment and care models.”
The PTAC, created under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), plays a vital role in enhancing Medicare’s payment structure for physicians, ensuring it aligns with modern care delivery needs. This independent advisory committee evaluates and recommends new physician payment models to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) with the aim of optimizing healthcare for Medicare beneficiaries.
Dr. Bhansali, a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, and Dr. Ramachandran, who holds both an MBA and MS, bring substantial experience to the committee, which will be valuable as Medicare continues to evolve toward value-based care. Both newly appointed members will serve terms through 2027.
Alongside these appointments, the GAO has reappointed two existing members: Dr. Lawrence Kosinski MD, MBA, AGAF a physician with a background in business administration, and Dr. Soujanya R. Pulluru, MD an accomplished physician known for her insights into Medicare’s payment models. Dr. Pulluru’s reappointment highlights her continuing contributions and expertise, strengthening PTAC’s ability to address complex issues facing the nation’s Medicare system.
The new and reappointed members will serve through 2027, providing continuity and fresh perspectives as PTAC continues its advisory role on Medicare’s future and the evolution of payment models for physicians.
Henish Bhansali, MD, FACP, is Chief Medical Officer for Medical Home Network, a healthcare organization that partners with Federally Qualified Health Centers, Primary Care Associations, and Clinically Integrated Networks to build the capabilities to succeed in value-based care. He also serves on the National Association of ACOs (NAACOS) Board of Directors and as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President and Medical Director of Medicare Advantage at Duly Health and Care and as Vice President and Senior Medical Director of Care Navigation at Oak Street Health. Board certified in internal medicine and obesity medicine, Dr. Bhansali received his medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine graduating with Honors (AOA) and trained in Internal Medicine at Washington University/Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
Krishna Ramachandran, MBA, MS, is Senior Vice President of Health Transformation and Provider Adoption at Blue Shield of California. In this position, he leads partnerships and innovations aimed at improving health care quality and affordability for members and providing tools and support for providers. Previously, he served as Divisional Senior Vice President of Health Care Delivery at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Chief Administrative Officer at Duly Health and Care, and as Director of Technical Services at Epic Systems Corporation. Mr. Ramachandran received his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and his Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
About the Author
Dr. Shabana Parvez, MD FACEP, is the founder of Arlington Integrative Medical Center and a distinguished leader in the field, holding board certifications in Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine. She is the U.S. Bureau Chief for The Desi Buzz, GCCStartup.News, and Startup Berita, where she contributes her insights on healthcare and innovation. As a committed member of the Academy of Integrative and Holistic Medicine, Dr. Parvez is also pursuing a Diploma in Naturopathic Medicine from the College of Medicine and Healing Arts in Leicester, UK. Certified in contemporary cupping skills, Hijama therapy, and leech therapy, she combines traditional healing techniques with modern medicine. Dr. Parvez is fluent in Spanish, French, Urdu, Hindi, and Arabic, enabling her to connect with patients from diverse backgrounds. A passionate foodie, she enjoys creating recipes, experimenting with recipe hacks, and finding ways to make meals healthier and more delicious.
