Kate Johnson
Kate Johnson
Director
Kate Johnson, MPH, serves as Director of Medicaid Policy & Programs at Aurrera Health Group. Kate has worked primarily at the state and county level to optimize effectiveness of new policies and programs. She joined the firm in March 2021 and leads diverse projects related to Medicaid policy.
Kate’s area of expertise includes aging and long-term services and supports, behavioral health, pharmaceutical access and affordability, public health, and data exchange. Kate supports clients with policy analysis, development, and implementation, project management, landscape assessments, stakeholder engagement, and technical assistance. Most recently, Kate supported the development and implementation of new screening and transition of care tools for Medicaid mental health services in California.
Prior to joining Aurrera Health Group, Kate served as Program Director at the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center). In this role, she led projects and technical assistance for states across a variety of health policy areas. Kate’s work helped states advance policy objectives and included development and execution of cross-state learning opportunities and providing subject matter expertise and technical assistance to state officials. Most recently, Kate led the NGA Center’s efforts to support states in the development and implementation of COVID-19 vaccine distribution plans. Kate has also authored numerous publications that provide strategies for states to address a range of policy issues and highlight best practices across the country.
Prior to her time at NGA, Kate worked as a consultant at a public affairs firm providing strategic health policy analysis and development for a wide range of clients, with special focus on pharmaceutical and insurance industry issues. She also worked as an aide for U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman and in hospital administration at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts.
Kate holds a master’s degree in public health from the Boston University School of Public Health and a bachelor’s degree from Assumption University. She lives in Washington, DC and enjoys playing soccer, traveling, and trying new restaurants in her spare time.
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Education
MPH, Boston University
BA, Assumption University
