USofCare Expands Its Federal Policy & Advocacy Engagement

With Congress and the Administration playing a key role in shaping health care policy, USofCare is strengthening its role in federal policymaking

Washington, DC — Today, United States of Care announced the expansion of its federal footprint with the launch of its new Federal Policy & Advocacy department and the hiring of Alyssa Penna as its first ever Director of Federal Policy, joining stellar team members including Lezah Calvin, Senior Manager of Federal Affairs, and Orla Levins, Federal Policy & Advocacy Coordinator. Led by Senior Director of Federal Policy & Advocacy Lisa Hunter, this new department will play a key part in driving federal policy solutions aimed at addressing the barriers we hear in our listening work across the country. 

“As an organization committed to building durable policy rooted in what people across party lines want from their health care, expanding United States of Care’s federal engagement will help us build upon the successes we’ve secured for people in the last seven years,” said Natalie Davis, CEO and Co-Founder. “People just want to be healthy – and they want a health care system that prioritizes their health. Through the new Federal Policy & Advocacy department’s work, we’ll be able to capitalize on the opportunity to enact impactful bipartisan policies aimed at helping people achieve that.”

“Contrary to what one might believe, there are real opportunities for advancing federal reforms that will help everyday people across our country. From advocacy that sustains coverage and access to health services under important programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Marketplaces, to reforms that shield people from unfair hospital billing or out-of-pocket costs for preventive services,” said Lisa Hunter, Senior Director of Federal Policy & Advocacy. “With our new Federal Policy & Advocacy department fully staffed and hard at work, we’re partnering with Congress and the Administration to drive commonsense, people-centered health care policy solutions that benefit everyone in every corner of the United States.”

Members of this new Federal Policy & Advocacy Team include: 

Lisa Hunter, Senior Director of Federal Policy & Advocacy
Lisa Hunter brings 20 years of experience in health policy and advocacy, having held leadership roles across the federal government, nonprofit sector, electoral campaigns, and the private sector. Prior to joining United States of Care, she led strategic partnerships at Families USA, where she drove reforms to Medicaid, Medicare, and the health insurance marketplace with a focus on advocacy around lowering health care costs and shoring up access to coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also previously served as Director of Government Affairs and Alliance Partnerships at the Better Medicare Alliance, where she focused on efforts to strengthen the Medicare Advantage program. Prior to joining advocacy, Lisa ran for public office, worked as a consultant at Avalere Health, and served as a Special Assistant at the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as a Congressional staffer for Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) and Rep Howard Berman (D-CA).

Alyssa Penna, Director of Federal Policy
Alyssa Penna joins United States of Care from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Office of Legislation where she served most recently as an analyst providing technical assistance and policy analysis to Capitol Hill on Medicare issues. Prior to her service at CMS, Alyssa worked on Capitol Hill for nearly a decade providing counsel on health care issues to Members of Congress on the House Committee on Ways & Means, Senate Finance Committee, and Senate Appropriations Committee, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), and Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV).

Lezah Calvin, Senior Manager of Federal Affairs
Lezah Calvin leads United States of Care’s federal legislative advocacy to advance people-centered, affordable health care reforms that address rising costs and expand access. With over seven years of experience in health policy and advocacy, she previously supported federal advocacy on reproductive and women’s health issues – including maternal health and health equity – at Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Lezah also worked as Congressional staff for U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and former Representative Sandy Levin (D-MI). 

Orla Levens, Federal Policy & Advocacy Coordinator
Orla Levens supports the advancement of equitable and durable health policy solutions at the federal level through both the legislative and executive branches. Prior to this role, Orla worked as a Legislative Assistant at InstaTrac, covering Massachusetts policy developments, and interned in U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren’s Boston office. Their passion for people-centered policy is shaped by experience in the labor movement, political campaigns, and communications.

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