The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) is seeking to fill a senior policy position for its Emerging Policy Issues Team to meaningfully contribute to the Center for State Health Care System Costs (the Center), a NASHP initiative. The successful candidate will have strong policy analytic skills and demonstrated expertise in hospital and health system financing and costs, and their impact across all payers, as well as knowledge of innovative state efforts to curb rising health costs. Experience in state government is strongly preferred, and the ability to develop and support practical solutions that states can implement a must.

NASHP is a nonpartisan forum of policymakers throughout state governments, learning, leading and implementing innovative solutions to health policy challenges. To accomplish our mission, we convene state leaders to solve problems and share solutions; conduct policy analyses and research; disseminate information on state policies and programs; and provide technical assistance to states.

Through the Center, guided by state officials, NASHP provides assistance and support to states seeking to address prices within the broader market for health care services.To date, this initiative has developed model laws aimed at improving transparency of hospital and health systems’ financial health and restricting facility fees charged to consumers. The Center has also developed a tool to calculate hospital costs using Medicare Cost Report data highlighting payer mix, cost to charge ratios, and more to further inform state policies aimed at cost containment. Additional resources being developed with state input and guidance support alternative policy approaches and help state policymakers move from ideas to action in a practical manner that advances their goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

· Work closely with NASHP’s Senior Program Director for Emerging Policy Issues team, other NASHP staff and with advisory council to develop and implement projects for The Center that advance state goals to address health costs practically and in consideration of political realities;

· Work independently and as part of a team, to conduct policy analyses, literature reviews, policy scans, surveys, key informant interviews, case studies and focus groups, write analytic pieces that are targeted for specific state policymakers, and other stakeholders and design technical assistance opportunities;

· Plan agendas and facilitate meetings (via conference call and in-person) ranging from small work groups to larger symposia;

· Build and maintain strong working relationships with state and federal program administrators, national policy organizations, experts and other key stakeholders;

· Coordinate and provide responses to requests for state technical assistance;

· Represent NASHP and relevant project work at meetings and conferences, presenting or speaking at such events, as appropriate;

· Represent NASHP and relevant project work at meetings and conferences, presenting or speaking at such events, as appropriate;

· Assure timely delivery of thoughtful, quality analytic products in compliance with all funder requirements as directed by the Senior Program Director;

· Stay abreast of relevant literature, national policy and state activity relevant to the health policy work of NASHP, with particular attention paid to access to and affordability of care, as well as hospital and health system costs;

· Participate in NASHP staff teamwork of planning and implementing NASHP’s annual conference;

· Possibly supervise and serve as a mentor to more junior staff;

· Assist in developing grant proposals;

· Periodically travel to states for site visits, meetings, and research.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

· Relevant work experience, and Master’s degree or other graduate degree in health finance, public policy, law or related areas, or equivalent combination of education and experience;

· Substantial knowledge of hospital and health system financing and costs and their impact across payers (Medicaid, state employee and commercial health plans), as well as innovative state efforts to curb rising health costs preferred;

· Demonstrated understanding of state health policy and how ideas can be translated into practical policy solutions;

· Strong analytic and qualitative research skills;

· Strong organizational skills;

· Excellent writing and verbal communication skills;

· Leadership experience;

· Ability to manage a complex workload comprised of multiple projects.

Note that this is not an entry-level position. The successful candidate will demonstrate considerable, real world, substantive and practical experience in the relevant policy areas.

Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter detailing their interest in this position and their salary requirements. Please also include a current resume.

The cover letter should address the following questions:

What are the biggest hospital and health system cost issues facing states and why? What are the opportunities and barriers to state action to address these issues in the short-term and long-term?

Applicants are also asked to submit a current resume. Note that applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered. Applications should be sent to: search@nashp.org. Please put “Cost Center” in the subject line.

NASHP is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age disability, genetic information, marital status, or military or veteran status in accordance with all applicable laws. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment and are committed to building a diverse workforce and leadership team. All persons are encouraged and welcome to apply.