Manatt Health Solutions Adds State Health And Human Services Agency Undersecretary in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO, CA – April 9, 2008 – Manatt Health Solutions (MHS) the interdisciplinary policy and business advisory division of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, announced today that Ann Boynton, Undersecretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS), is joining MHS as a Managing Director effective May 12, 2008. She will be based in Manatt’s Sacramento office.

Leveraging the capabilities of Manatt’s law and policy professionals, MHS imparts expert insight to clients in the areas of healthcare coverage and access, healthcare information technology, healthcare financing and reimbursement, and healthcare restructuring. MHS provides personalized services such as strategic and business advice, policy analysis and research, project implementation and alliance development.

“Ann’s strong policy background is a great compliment to Manatt’s state and federal policy practice,” said William S. Bernstein, chair of Manatt’s national healthcare practice. “She is very highly regarded in the healthcare community, not just in California, but nationally. Ann’s considerable knowledge of the government space makes her an excellent addition to Manatt Health Solutions. We are thrilled to have Ann join our team.”

Ms. Boynton has been one of three principal managers of CHHS, charged with administering state and federal programs for healthcare, social services, public assistance and rehabilitation. The agency provides direct services to millions of Californians and has an operating budget in excess of $78 billion.

“This is an exciting opportunity to continue my commitment to improving the delivery of healthcare,” said Ms. Boynton. “I’m particularly looking forward to focusing on specific issues and projects, and to collaborating with the incredible interdisciplinary team Manatt has assembled.”

Thomas R. McMorrow, administrative partner for Manatt’s Sacramento office, said, “Ann is extraordinarily capable and has a well deserved reputation for being effective. She is also recognized as a strong administrator and analyst. We look forward to working with her in Sacramento.”

Prior to her work at CHHS, Ms. Boynton served as the Chief Deputy Cabinet Secretary in the office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, where she was responsible for the Executive Branch's daily operations, including implementing historic state policies on renewable energy, infrastructure investment and workers' compensation. She began her work in state government as a Deputy Director in the Department of Toxic Substances Control. Ms. Boynton also worked for nearly twenty years in the private sector as a management consultant and senior policy analyst.

In particular, Ms. Boynton's expertise in healthcare information technology builds on MHS' addition of Object Health, a healthcare IT consulting firm, in 2007. Object Health, which expanded Manatt's considerable strength in this area, assists healthcare organizations and communities in optimizing health information for improved operational efficiencies and clinical health outcomes.

Ms. Boynton earned an M.A. from the University of Notre Dame and a B.A. from California Lutheran University.

About Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, provides legal and consulting services to a global client base from offices in Los Angeles, Orange County, Palo Alto, San Francisco, and Sacramento, California; New York City and Albany, New York; and Washington, D.C.  Manatt includes Manatt Health Solutions, a healthcare policy and strategic business advisory group, and ManattJones Global Strategies, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary that develops and implements strategies to expand client businesses and facilitate their effective competition in global markets.  For more information, visit www.manatt.com, www.manatthealthsolutions.com, and www.manattjones.com.

About Manatt Health Solutions

Manatt Health Solutions is a division of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, which provides legal and consulting services to a global client base from offices in Los Angeles, Orange County, Palo Alto, San Francisco, and Sacramento, California; New York City and Albany, New York; and Washington, D.C. Manatt Health Solutions’ interdisciplinary team provides strategic and business advice, policy analysis, project implementation, and coalition building and advocacy services to clients in the areas of healthcare access and coverage, healthcare financing and reimbursement and health information technology. For more information, visit www.manatthealthsolutions.com.