Doug Wirth

Doug Wirth is the President and CEO of Amida Care, a not-for-profit Medicaid special needs health plan (SNP) that specializes in providing comprehensive health coverage and coordinated care to New Yorkers with chronic conditions, including HIV and behavioral health disorders, and who are experiencing homelessness. Amida Care serves more than 6,000 members throughout New York City. Founded in 2003 by community health centers and AIDS community-based organizations, Amida Care is the largest Medicaid SNP in New York, with unprecedented quality outcomes: a viral suppression rate of 70% among its HIV-positive members; a 74% decrease in hospital admissions and readmissions; and a 35% reduction in overall medical expenses. Together, these results have produced significant cost savings from real improvements in health outcomes. In 2014, Mr. Wirth served on Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Task Force to End the AIDS Epidemic in New York State by 2020, which produced the Blueprint to reduce the rate of new HIV infections in the state.

He previously served as a Senior Health Policy Advisor to NYC Mayors David Dinkins and Rudolph Giuliani, which included chairing the HIV Mental Health and Strategic Planning/Evaluation Committees for the NYC Health & Human Services Ryan White Planning Council. As Director of Government Relations for the Coalition of Community Mental Health Agencies, he led the community organizing effort that yielded 300 articles and 60 editorials supporting major mental health care reforms and $250 million in “community reinvestment” across New York State. In addition, as a Senior Faculty Member of the American Psychological Association’s HOPE Project, Mr. Wirth trained mental health professionals and clergy in the areas of human sexuality, HIV/AIDS, recovery, rehabilitation and cross-cultural healing. Mr. Wirth also previously ran five homeless shelters in the Midwest, where he successfully colocated a meal/food pantry program, with a work-readiness project, as well as a satellite primary care clinic, outpatient substance use programs and mobile HIV testing — all of which inform and guide the mission, goals and operations of Amida Care.