Policy Analyst, The Center for Consumer Engagement in Health Innovation (Medical Debt)
Join a national organization committed to advancing a movement to race equity and health justice.
Community Catalyst is a leading non-profit national health advocacy organization dedicated to advancing a movement for health equity and justice. We partner with local, state and national advocates to leverage and build power so all people can influence decisions that affect their health. Health systems will not be accountable to people without a fully engaged and organized community voice. That’s why we work every day to ensure people’s interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and health care are made: in communities, state houses and on Capitol Hill. Learn more about our vision for the future in our five-year strategic plan.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Center for Consumer Engagement in Health Innovation is seeking a policy analyst to join its The Community Benefit and Economic Justice Project (the “Medical Debt”) team that focus on improving how health systems address the needs of the communities they serve. Initial issue areas of focus include (1) using community benefit and other policy levers to advance practices and policies to promote health equity and address social determinants of health; (2) promoting consumer-friendly policies and practices related to hospital financial assistance, billing and collection; and (3) integrating community engagement and equity into health system policy and practice.
The Policy Analyst will broadly support our learning community of state and local advocates from across the country by providing strategic advice, policy analysis, and accessible written materials.
This position is included in a collective bargaining unit represented by a staff union, Community Catalyst United, and specific employment terms may be subject to a future Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Supervision:
The Policy Analyst is supervised by the Director of Policy.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Collaborate with the project State Advocacy Manager (SAM) and Senior SAM to build and maintain relationships with state and local advocates by providing them policy research and analysis, and strategic coaching on their advocacy campaign efforts to improve health care affordability, billing and collection practices, and ensure economic justice in their communities and state.
- Monitor policy developments and provide policy analysis and research, including analyzing regulatory and legislative proposals on issues related to hospital financial assistance, billing, and collection policies.
- Present and write comment letters, issue briefs, fact sheets, blogs, and reports.
- Coordinate and collaborate with other Community Catalyst programs on crosscutting issues and participate on relevant teams, as necessary.
- Participate in national coalition work, particularly focused on medical debt, No Surprises Act, and hospital financial assistance, billing and collection policies, as needed.
- Conduct research and develop expertise on new policy issues that may arise.
- Perform other duties as called upon.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree plus 3 years’ experience or 5 years minimum of related worked experience or an equivalent combination of education and/or work experience
- Demonstrated ability to quickly learn complex areas of health policy, including providing legislative and regulatory analysis
- Basic knowledge of coverage expansion options under the Affordable Care Act
- 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
- Understanding of—and commitment to—building capacity and policy pathways that support communities to meaningfully engage local institutions
- Experience and knowledge of the political process and its interface with health policy
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice, health equity, racial justice, and working with a broad range of stakeholders
- Flexibility and ability to take on and identify emerging policy issues
- Strong leadership, relationship development and collaboration skills
- 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
- Ability to travel on average once a month (does not apply during the pandemic)
- Commitment to social justice and experience working in a multicultural environment
Preferred:
- Knowledge of and expertise in hospital regulation, community benefit and billing/collection policy and practice
- 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 with local, state and/or federal policymakers
- Experience working with consumer and community advocacy organizations
- Bilingual/bicultural background
BENEFITS & SALARY
- Salary Range: $54,500-$69,750
- Generous paid time off policy
- Robust benefits package
- Location: Flexible, can be based anywhere with the USA. If the employee is not based on the East Coast, flexibility in supporting different time zones may be required.
Applicants must submit a resume and a cover letter briefly summarizing their interest in and qualifications for the position to: jobs@communitycatalyst.org. Please put “Policy Analyst, Medical Debt” in the subject line.
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.