Senior Policy Analyst, Medicaid Policy

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) is a nonpartisan research and policy institute that advances federal and state policies to help build a nation where everyone — regardless of income, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, ZIP code, immigration status, or disability status — has the resources they need to thrive and share in the nation’s prosperity.   

CBPP combines rigorous research and analysis, strategic communications, and effective advocacy to shape debates, affect policy, and inform effective implementation both nationally and in states. It works closely with a broad set of national, state, and community organizations to design and advance policies that promote economic justice; improve health; broaden opportunity in areas like housing, health care, employment, and education; and lower structural barriers for people of color and others in communities that continue to face systemic barriers to opportunity. CBPP promotes policies that will build a more equitable nation and fair tax policies that can support these gains over the long term. CBPP also shows the harmful impacts of policies and proposals that would deepen poverty, widen disparities, and worsen health outcomes.  

In 2025, policymakers will make a number of consequential policy decisions — from passing a budget that will determine who and what we will invest in as a nation to considering fundamental changes to the Medicaid program — that will have a significant impact on the health and lives of millions of people as well as on the economy. CBPP will be deeply involved in informing policymakers, partners, and the public about the impact of health policy proposals, defending people’s access to affordable health care through Medicaid, and monitoring and communicating about the effect of any changes that are made through legislation, regulations, guidance, or Medicaid section 1115 waivers.  

CBPP’s Health team seeks a Senior Policy Analyst to work on issues related to Medicaid. The Health team works at both the federal and state level to strengthen and expand health coverage for low- and moderate-income people; promote health equity in Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, the Affordable Care Act marketplaces, employer-sponsored coverage, and tax policy; and secure adequate, sustainable, and progressive financing mechanisms for public health care expenditures.  

Responsibilities: 

• Analyze proposed federal legislation, regulations, section 1115 waivers, and other executive actions related to Medicaid to inform congressional debates, respond to government policies, and support state advocate partners in work at the state level. 
• Produce written materials (such as reports, blogs, talking points, comments on federal regulations and section 1115 waivers, and memos) to support advocacy efforts related to various facets of Medicaid policy, including financing, benefits, eligibility, and delivery systems.  
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with partners and stakeholders, including government officials, health advocacy organizations, state advocates, researchers, and other experts in Medicaid and health equity to advance CBPP’s policy goals. 
• Produce written materials and analyses that support CBPP’s efforts to advance policies that promote health equity and racial justice and center the lives of people with lived experience of racism and discrimination, poverty, and low-paid work.  
• Collaborate closely with staff on the Health team and in other CBPP departments to facilitate connections across related policy issues. 
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned to support the team’s goals.

Qualifications: 

A successful candidate will demonstrate expertise in Medicaid and health policy issues for people with low incomes and a successful track record of working to affect health policy outcomes at the federal or state level. This individual will bring a mix of the following skills and experiences:  

• At least seven years of experience working on policy or advocacy issues, with at least five years of experience related to Medicaid. A related graduate degree or Juris D