Senior Attorney/Senior Policy Analyst

Position: Senior Attorney/Senior Policy Analyst (1-2 positions)

Reports to: Managing Director, Federal Advocacy

Status: Full-time Exempt

Start Date: Immediate

Location: Largely remote, but the ideal candidate should live proximate to NHeLP’s DC office to attend regular and frequent in-person engagements. Additionally, they should have the ability to travel to meetings in various locations as needed 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. To promote social justice and best achieve our mission, NHeLP is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued. NHeLP particularly encourages applications from people of color, women, the LGBTQI+ community, people with disabilities, and others whose backgrounds may contribute to the effective representation of people with low incomes and underserved communities.

THE TEAM

The Senior Attorney will be part of NHeLP’s Washington D.C. Office and primarily work with the attorneys and policy staff of that office. The person will be part of the Federal Advocacy team, which coordinates NHeLP’s federal legislative and administrative work. Our work focuses on Medicaid, CHIP, and the Affordable Care Act. The Senior Attorney will have an opportunity to work on a range of issues that may include eligibility & enrollment, disability issues, delivery system reform, services, and sexual & reproductive health. In addition to the specific duties described below, the Senior Attorney will be invited and encouraged to participate in other departmental and organizational opportunities and initiatives, such as our Diversity, Equity, and

Inclusion affinity groups and committees. That work would be considered part of and not in addition to the person’s job responsibilities.

THE POSITION

NHeLP is seeking a full-time Senior Attorney or Policy Analyst for its Federal Advocacy team with substantive expertise in Medicaid and the ACA, and experience with federal legislative, regulatory, and administrative advocacy. The position will involve a broad range of policy and administrative advocacy on Medicaid, the ACA, and civil rights laws. Together with the Federal Advocacy team, the attorney or policy analyst will create legal, policy, and advocacy strategies for advancing equity and access to quality health care, focusing at the federal level. The ideal candidate will have a strong working knowledge of Medicaid at the national level and have experience as a health advocate or working in the federal administrative or legislative branch. 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, people with disabilities, and other underserved populations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing (30%)

• Research Medicaid laws, administrative guidance, and case law;
• Analyze federal legislation, regulations, and other policies as they impact Medicaid, the ACA, civil rights, and health care programs for people with low incomes;
• Review and draft legislation, regulations, and policies on health care programs directly impacting low-income and underserved individuals;
• Track legislative and administrative developments relevant to Medicaid, the ACA, civil rights laws, and other low-income health care programs; and
• Develop publications including fact sheets, issue briefs, blog posts, memoranda, comments, and correspondence concerning legal and policy developments, legislation, and regulations concerning Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, civil rights laws, and other issues in NHeLP's priority areas.

Policy Advocacy (30%)

• Represent NHeLP on health issues with federal agencies, Congress, and coalition partners;
• Attend federal-level policy meetings, advisory groups, and other policymaking forums to provide direct input and feedback on health care and civil rights policies;
• Respond to inquiries from Congressional and administrative agency staff and other policymakers and advocates; and
• Actively engage in strategic development, work planning, and collaboration within the Federal Advocacy team and across other NHeLP teams.

Partner with other advocacy organizations (30%)

• Participate in collaborative, coalition, and other advocacy groups and meet with other stakeholders;
• Provide technical assistance and education requested by advocates, administrative agencies, policymakers, and other individuals; and
• Conduct trainings and presentations.

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:

• Graduate degree (J.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., M.A. or similar);
• 8+ years of legal or policy experience;
• Strong interest in administrative, public benefits, and civil rights law;
• Commitment to the representation of low-income and underserved populations.

MUST-HAVE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Knowledge of health law, regulatory and administrative advocacy, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act;
• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
• Ability to work independently, show initiative, and work collaboratively in teams;
• Ability to consistently integrate a deep understanding of key racial equity concepts into work projects and interactions by addressing structural implications and disproportionate impacts of policies, activities, and decisions on race, class and other group identities within the context of job responsibilities and projects.
• Commitment to NHeLP’s mission and values, including advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

NICE-TO-HAVE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Direct service experience;
• Federal legislative or health care agency (HHS, CMS, etc.) experience;