Job Description Summary

Identifies and analyzes proposed legislative initiatives which present significant implications to BCBS Plans' business. Identifies policy questions, evaluates impact on BCBS Plan business, advances options and builds consensus on legislative and regulatory areas, prepares formal comments regarding recommended policy, and communicates positions to Plans. Focus areas include value-based policy, pharmacy benefit policy support for Medicare and Medicaid LOB, Inflation Reduction Act implementation, pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) issues, health plan accreditation, health equity and select issues reducing health care costs.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Leads the development of effective advocacy strategies to promote BCBSA and BCBS Plan objectives at both state and federal levels. Manages the review of legislation and regulations to identify and provide feedback to policymakers on strategic and business considerations for BCBS Plans. Develops advocacy documents to support these activities, including talking points, one-pagers, and briefing materials. Provides policy support for coalitions, third-party inquiries and internal business partners on select focus areas. Brings forward new ideas and initiates strategic thinking to promote BCBSA priorities and BCBS Plan objectives.
  
• Manages projects within assigned regulatory and legislative areas, 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 BCBS Plans.
  
• Leads BCBS Plan workgroup calls on focus areas. Identifies and communicates key regulatory and legislative activities to internal audiences, to BCBS Plans and to other external audiences. Participates in and contributes to cross-departmental and cross-divisional meetings and workgroups to provide political and policy insights.
  
• Keeps up to date on BCBSA legislative and regulatory positions and priorities, strategies, federal policymaking activities, and health care issues generally in order to maintain an understanding of key issues and strategies. Provides policy support to State Affairs team and work with state-based organizations (SBOs). Takes on various health policy projects as assigned.
  
• Ensures BCBSA senior management and BCBS Plan representatives are informed as to pertinent legislative and regulatory developments.
  
• Collaborates with BCBS Plan representatives, other Office of Policy and Representation staff and broader BCBSA staff. Engages with external stakeholders including federal policymakers and third-party representatives as appropriate.
  

Required Education, Certifications and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, Public or Health Policy, Business or Public Administration.
  
• Five or more years of equivalent work experience
  
• Working knowledge of health care systems and understanding of legislative and policymaking process.
  
• Good communications skills; the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
  
• Strong planning and organizational skills
  
• Strong human relations skills; and the ability to work with others in obtaining feedback/input, accomplishing goals, and meeting deadlines
  
• Comprehensive understanding of health policy issues and the legislative process, as well as experience with policy writing
  
• Excellent interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to develop and maintain relationships and influence outcomes
  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to identify issues and develop appropriate advocacy recommendations.
  
• Ability to manage time and competing priorities.
  

Preferred Education, Certifications and Experience

• Master's degree in Health Policy, Public Policy, Health Administration, Public Heath or relevant subject.
  
• Experience researching and synthesizing health care policies and programs including the ability to do detailed qualitative analysis.
  
• Experience working with public officials or in government.
  

People Management - No