Senior Attorney - Largely Remote

Position: Senior Attorney

Reports to: Managing Director of California Policy

Status: Full-time Exempt

Start Date: February 1, 2025 - Immediate Availability

Location: CA Specific - Largely remote with the ability to travel to meetings in various California locations and attend NHeLP retreats or conferences in other parts of the country.

THE ORGANIZATION

The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) protects and advances the health rights of low-income and underserved individuals. NHeLP engages in national, state, and local advocacy efforts, including analyses of federal and state laws, policy advocacy, litigation, continuing legal education, and individual technical support. We work with lawyers and advocates, community-based entities, federal and state policymakers, health care providers, and clients.

NHeLP is committed to health equity—ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they need to be healthy—and to cultivating an internal environment that empowers an exceptional and diverse staff. For more information, see our Equity Stance. NHeLP particularly encourages applications from members of racial and ethnic minority groups, women, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and others whose backgrounds may contribute to the effective representation of low-income people and underserved communities.

THE TEAM

NHeLP's California Policy Team engages in administrative and legislative advocacy with policymakers and state and local agencies that administer and oversee publicly financed health care programs, including Medi-Cal and Covered California, managed health care delivery systems, and health reform implementation. We provide systemic advocacy and policy support to a variety of California legal and health care advocates, including the statewide Health Consumer Alliance (HCA), a collaborative that provides individual health consumer assistance and policy advocacy for low-income and underserved populations in California. NHeLP is a leading organization in health care law and policy, including litigation, nationally and in California. Our California healthcare team plays an essential role in the state’s efforts to expand and secure access to care, including the ACA and Medicaid. NHeLP’s California team consists of people committed to health equity in California who engage in creative and proactive advocacy with dedicated colleagues.

THE POSITION

NHeLP is seeking a full-time, experienced attorney in the California office with substantive expertise in Medicaid and the ACA, and experience with CA legislative, regulatory, and administrative advocacy with state agencies. The position will involve a broad range of policy and administrative advocacy on Medi-Cal and Covered California and will have a particular focus on California's health policy. Together with the California Policy Team, the attorney will help lead, develop, and create legal, policy, and advocacy strategies for advancing equity and access to quality health care, focusing on California. In addition, the attorney will have the opportunity to participate in crafting national strategies and take on federal advocacy work related to those priorities. The ideal candidate will have a strong working knowledge of Medicaid at the national and California level and have experience as a health advocate. This candidate will think proactively and strategically; have an interest in and willingness to listen and learn in partnership with other state advocates; demonstrate leadership, communication, research, and writing skills; and be able to work individually and in teams. The ideal candidate will have experience working within underserved communities and will demonstrate an understanding of the issues that impact people with low income, BIPOC, LGBTQI+ individuals, immigrants, people with disabilities, and other underserved populations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing (30%)

• Research Medicaid laws, administrative guidance, and case law;
• Analyze state and federal legislation, regulations, and other policies as they impact Medicaid (Medi-Cal), the ACA, and other low-income health care programs, including Covered California;
• Review and draft state and federal legislation and regulations on proactive and defensive strategies to advance and protect access to high quality coverage under Medicaid and other ACA health care programs, including Covered California;
• Respond to requests for legal analysis and technical assistance from state attorneys and advocates, coalition partners, as well as state legislators and administrative agencies, policy makers, media, funders, and scholars; and
• Develop publications, including fact sheets, issue briefs, blog posts, memoranda, and correspondence concerning legal and policy developments, legislation, and regulations concerning Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and other issuesin NHeLP's priorityareas.

Policy Advocacy (30%)

• Represent NHeLP on health issues with state and local agencies and departments, federal agencies, policymakers, and coalition partners;
• Attend state-level policy meetings, advisory groups, and other policymaking forums to provide direct input and feedback on health care policies; and
• Actively engage in strategic development, work planning, and collaboration across teams.

Partner with other advocacy organizations (30%)

• Participate in collaborative, coalition, and other advocacy groups and stakeholders;
• Maintain and expand partnerships with state and local advocates to advance Medicaid and ACA Marketplace health policies in California;
• Provide technical assistance and education requested by advocates, agencies, and other individuals; and
• Conduct trainings and presentations to advocates.

Administrative and other responsibilities (10%)

• Write grant reports on work and document timekeeping;
• Participate in internal meetings and working groups;
• Collaborate with development, communication, and operations teams to accomplish the organization's strategic priorities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• J.D. degree from an accredited law school and admission to the bar in any U.S. jurisdiction; California Bar admission preferred;
• At least 8 years of legal experience;
• Commitment to the representation of low-income and underservedpopulations; and
• Ability to travel (we estimate this position may require travel approximately one to two days per month within California for meetings, and occasional travel, once or twice per year, to the East Coast).

MUST-HAVE SKILLS & EXPERIENCES

• Knowledge of health law, especially Medicaid and the Affordable CareAct, as well as familiarity with CA legislative, regulatory and administrative procedures;
• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills;
• Strong interpersonal and communication (oral and written) skills;
• High level of independence and initiative, good judgment, strong presentation skills, creativity, and ability to work collaboratively in teams;
• Ability to talk about legal and other complex issues in clear and persuasive terms for both lawyer and non-lawyer audiences;
• Commitment to NHeLP's mission and values, including diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate key racial equity concepts into work projects and interactions to address structural impacts of policies on race.