Policy Analyst – State Consumer Health Advocacy Program (SCHAP) - (SPHTM)

 

Community Catalyst is a national non-profit advocacy organization working to build consumer and community leadership to transform the American health system. Our first priority is quality, affordable health care for all and to ensure that all individuals and communities sustain the power to influence local, state and national decisions that affect their health. Since 1998, we have provided leadership and support to consumer organizations, policymakers and foundations working to ensure the health care system serves everyone – especially historically marginalized communities. Community Catalyst strengthens organized consumer voices in communities, at statehouses and on Capitol Hill when advocates fight for changes that improve our health.

As an organization, we believe an inclusive and open environment fosters creativity, contributes to the quality of our work, and provides growth opportunities for our employees. Additional information is available at www.communitycatalyst.org.

Our State Consumer Health Advocacy Program works in more than 40 states to build consumer

leadership and a strong, organized consumer voice to shape health policy and transform the health system at the federal, state and local levels. We develop effective state-based consumer advocacy networks and leverage their influence for multi-state and national impact through the use of our System of Advocacy. The Policy Analyst builds relationships with state and community-based advocacy organizations throughout the country, providing technical assistance on a range of emerging policy issues. We aim to ensure that our work incorporates a strong health and racial justice approach.

Join our team and work with state and community-based organizations to identify and promote new and proven ways to increase coverage and access to services, strengthen benefits, and leverage the health care system to address health equity and the social and economic determinants of health. We approach all of this work with the goal of lifting up the consumer voice, with particular attention paid to communities that have struggled to be heard in health care decision making as well as those who face disproportionate health disparities.

We are seeking a Policy Analyst who is interested in opportunities to ensure that there is a strong consumer and community voice in health care programs, and who is able to work on a range of issues. We anticipate that initial projects will focus on (1) strengthening and defending the Medicaid program as well as defending and implementing the Affordable Care Act by providing policy research and analysis, strategic coaching and advice to consumer advocates; and 2) targeted technical assistance to states in the Appalachian region on issues impacting their Medicaid programs. The Senior Policy Analyst will broadly support our learning community of state advocates across the country providing leadership, strategic advice, policy analysis, and accessible written materials to consumer advocates.

The Policy Analyst is supervised by the Policy Manager. This person may be responsible for supervising policy interns as needed.

 

1.     Build and maintain relationships with state consumer health advocates and providing them policy research and analysis, strategic coaching and advice on efforts to protect, strengthen and defend the Medicaid program as well as defend and implement the Affordable Care Act

2.     Write comment letters, issue briefs, fact sheets, blogs and reports on pertinent health policy topics to support our learning community

3.     Analyze legislation and regulations and provide strategic policy and political advice to consumer advocates at the state and local level

4.     Provide thought leadership for part of the organization’s policy agenda with respect to protecting and strengthening the Medicaid program, including Medicaid eligibility and access as well as Medicaid benefits, delivery and payment system reform and financing, as well as strengthening, defending and implementing the Affordable Care Act

5.     Keep the Policy Manager, Associate Director of Policy and Policy Director apprised of major developments regarding newly proposed regulations affecting organizational priorities, particularly around 1115 waiver application submissions or approvals, and help them design and execute a federal advocacy strategy on these issues

6.     Represent Community Catalyst at national partner meetings on Medicaid and Affordable Care Act policy issues

7.     Coordinate and collaborate with other Community Catalyst programs on cross-cutting issues affecting Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, including participating on the Federal Policy Team and Medicaid Team

8.     Be prepared to immerse themselves in new policy issues that may arise

9.     Perform other duties as necessary to achieve the goals of the department

·      Extensive health policy knowledge, including knowledge of Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act as well as on topics such as health care costs and delivery system reform

·      Strong research and analysis skills, as well as the ability to analyze qualitative and some quantitative data

·      Experience working with local, state and/or federal policymakers preferred

·      Experience running public policy campaigns

·      Experience and knowledge of the political process and its interface with health policy

·      Experience advocating for state or federal policy change

·      Flexibility and ability to take on and identify emerging issues in health policy

·      Ability to provide strategic direction and guidance to a project with minimal oversight

·      Demonstrated history of working with a broad range of stakeholders

·      Outstanding writing skills with the ability to convey complex information in writing and orally so that it is easily understood by the public

·      Strong verbal communications skills, including experience with public speaking, training, facilitating, and/or coaching

·      Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks at once, respond to tight timelines, pay attention to detail, and operate independently and effectively in a fast-paced environment

·      Commitment to social justice and experience in social change activism such as: legislative advocacy or political/policy issue campaigns; community organizing; working with coalitions and stakeholders; and/or implementing communications strategies

·      Experience working in a multicultural environment

·      Ability to travel

·      Demonstrated commitment to social justice and health equity

·      Relevant work experience: 10 years, or a Bachelor’s plus 5 years, or a Master’s plus 2 years

·      Bilingual/bicultural background highly desirable

Benefits:

·      Salary Range: $64,000 – $75,000

·      Generous paid time off policy

·      Robust benefits package

·      Convenient downtown Boston and Washington DC locations

Community Catalyst is strongly committed to building a work environment that recognizes, respects, and encourages the unique contributions of a broad spectrum of qualified employees. We strive to make employment decisions that support inclusion to maintain a work atmosphere that is diverse, equitable and promotes family friendly practices and work‐life benefits so that people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.

We do not discriminate in hiring based on age, color, ethnicity, race, national origin, primary language, religion, socio‐economic status, family status, mental and physical disabilities, veteran status, gender identity characteristics and/or expression, sex, medical condition, sexual orientation or any other classification that is protected by federal, state, or local law.

Through all of our programs, Community Catalyst works to build a better future for all individuals by advancing health equity, focusing on people of color, immigrants, as well as disability, gender, sexual identity and socioeconomic status. It is important for our staff to reflect the diverse communities with which we work. People of color, LGBTQ identified people, gender‐nonconforming people, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people who speak a language in addition to English are encouraged to apply.

interest in and qualifications for the position to: jobs@communitycatalyst.org. Please put

FYI – Interviewing/onboarding for these roles will occur virtually as we manage through the COIVD-19 crisis