MD, Legislative and Regulatory Policy – Health Equity

### Job Description Summary

Responsible for developing and leading proactive analyses and strategies for BCBSA’s Health Equity public policy portfolio. Influences legislation, regulations, and influential third-party stakeholders. Manages identification of key business issues, evaluates impact on Plan business, advances options and forges consensus, and prepares comments and effective advocacy material. Engages with Administration officials and staff to advance BCBSA positions. Works integrally with other senior staff to develop strategies to ensure third parties are aware and appropriately engaged in BCBSA issues, which include stakeholder briefings, and outreach to key influential individuals and organizations on priority BCBSA issues. Identifies opportunities to collaborate cross-divisionally and with key stakeholders to advance BCBSA Board priorities around assigned issue areas. Represents department on internal workgroups and committees, influential third-party groups and coalitions including coordinating feedback on complex health reform proposals – oversees strategies and appropriate staff and consultants to showcase Blue Plan innovations and advance policies on priority issues referenced above as well as emerging topics.

### Responsibilities

Include but are not limited to:

– Independently anticipates and identifies key business and policy issues related to the assigned issue areas listed above.
– Oversees staff (internal and in other BCBSA divisions) and consultants – through direct supervision and effective coordination – to review legislation and regulations and potential guidance as well as directly reviews legislation, legislative proposals, regulations and Administration guidance and third party proposals to identify and evaluate strategic and business issues for Plans.
– Works closely with BCBSA senior executives, Plan executives and Plan workgroups, to assure Plan business issues are represented in BCBSA positions.
– Works with key internal and external stakeholders to influence and shape legislation, regulation, guidance and third-party proposals.

Directs or leads coordination with staff and consultants to manage or directly manages projects within assigned regulatory and legislative areas (both federal and state), including the identification of key business issues, policy, and legislative or regulatory analysis, development of comments or other persuasive materials, and development of educational materials for Plans. Represents BCBSA in meetings with Administration officials, policymakers, and other influential policy organizations. Provides policy input and support to State Services on NAIC and other state-related initiatives to assure consistency with regard to state and federal policy positions; and proactively coordinates with lobbying and Communications to ensure cohesive strategy and efficient advocacy of issues.

Formulates strategies on an issue-by-issue basis, assuring positions represent consensus of Plans. Communicates and interprets the implications and effects to Plans. Maintains a thorough and comprehensive understanding of Plan business interests/practices to effectively assess the effect of legislation/regulations on them, and to forcefully showcase/promote Plan initiatives on the Hill, with the Administration and before influential third-party stakeholders.

Leads discussions on assigned issues on Plan workgroup calls on key issues, coordinating with appropriate BCBSA divisions and consultants. Prepares and implements research agenda for issue areas.

Educates lobbying and other Association staff as necessary. Supports Administration outreach efforts by identifying opportunities to leverage BCBSA and Plan initiatives related to health insurance markets, staying up to date on Administration priorities and opportunities for collaboration with HHS.

Develops and maintains key contacts, networks of contacts, and effective working relationships with BCBSA and Plan representatives, federal policymakers, interest groups and other external organizations, as necessary, to enhance knowledge of proposed legislation, regulations, and issues, and to ensure the most effective collection and dissemination of information. Plays a leadership role in working with influential third-party stakeholders; also attains leadership positions within other third-party groups focused on relevant issues. Serves as liaison with regulatory representatives from other associations in the health sector. Meets with and develops ongoing relationships with key Administration officials and staff to advance policies.

### Required Education, Certifications and Experience

– Bachelor’s Degree
– Master’s Degree in public policy, health policy or related field.
– Minimum 8 years’ experience in health care policy analysis/formulation, health care law, state insurance regulations and/or healthcare plan operations, with experience in public health policy.
– Experience analyzing health equity public policy and leading strategy development
– Experience in communicating and writing comments to Congress, government agencies and/or other legislative bodies
– Experience with structuring research policy studies and formulating policy alternatives
– Experience drawing upon extensive knowledge and relationships to identify and analyze issues and develop appropriate policy strategies and responses, demonstrating excellent judgment and analytical methodologies
– Experience in setting and meeting objectives, while reacting within a growing and changing internal and external environment
– Extensive knowledge of managed care and insurance reform issues, operations and policy, as well as knowledge of the federal legislative and regulatory process.
– Extensive knowledge of commercial health insurance markets and ERISA rules affecting group health plans
– Sophisticated/strategic thinking to determine how best to influence decision/policy makers
– Superior facilitation, presentation, organizational and verbal and written skills, with the demonstrated ability to work independently
– Analytical, planning and project management skills, as well as the ability to prioritize and shift multiple issues and projects without compromising quality results

### Preferred Requirements

– Experience with a BCBS Plan, other health insurer, state Department of insurance, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or prior experience with the Department of Labor working on group health plan issues.
– People Management Yes

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