Claypool Named Director of Office on Disability

WASHINGTON — Long-time disability advocate Henry Claypool
has been named director of the HHS Office on Disability. In his new position,
Claypool will serve as the primary adviser to the HHS secretary on
disability policy and will oversee the implementation of all HHS
programs pertaining to Americans with disabilities.

With 25 years of experience developing disability policy at the
federal, state and local levels, Claypool has lived the same number
of years with a spinal injury. He is “uniquely prepared to expand
and improve services that will empower more Americans with
disabilities,” according to HHS Chief of Staff Laura Petrou.

From 1998-2002, Claypool advised HHS through various positions,
including senior adviser for disability policy to CMS during the
Clinton administration. From 2005-2006, he served as a senior
adviser in the Social Security Administration’s Office of
Disability and Income Support Programs and was appointed by
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine to serve on the Commonwealth’s Health
Reform Commission in 2007.

As an expert adviser to the SSA on interim medical benefits, he
was also a member of CMS’ first Program Advisory and Oversight
Committee, formed to advise the agency on its initial
implementation of competitive bidding.