About
Navigating government affairs is no simple task. Traditionally, firms have hired external lobbyists to manage relations with state and federal lawmakers. The old approach no longer works.
Impactful organizations leverage the unparalleled value of internal advocacy. Andrew Schwab, Washington’s authority on cultivating all-start policy teams, leads Platform Government Strategies. Rather than speaking on behalf of clients, he prepares them to lead conversations by developing their unique voices.
A 21st Century view on lobbying
Andrew Schwab has spent the past 20 years in and around national health policy and politics.
Andrew Schwab has spent the past 20 years in and around national health policy and politics.
Andrew is an intentional strategist, a master of Washington’s internal game.
Bringing a bold, brash, no-holds-barred approach to government affairs, he’s coaching and mentoring forward-thinking organizations ready to invest in their internal policy teams.
He’s done the work in DC, in a state capital, at trade and member associations, at a publicly traded company. Rare to DC, Andrew has advocated in-house on behalf of both nonprofits and private sector organizations.
Most recently, at Oak Street Health, Andrew established the company’s first government affairs function. With a relentless drive to put Oak Street Health at the center of the national value-based care conversation, CVS Health purchased the company for $10.6 billion and being part of the Washington health policy firmament is one reason why.
Experience Matters.
Andrew’s impressive resume highlights deep professional experience across the private, non-profit, and government sectors. His full-circle understanding of health policy distinguishes him among his peers.
This unique perspective informs his approach to understanding client organizations, mentoring government affairs teams, and developing highly-effective strategies.
2021-2023: Vice President & Head of Government Affairs at Oak Street Health
- Establish the first government affairs function at a newly public company culminating in a $10.6 billion acquisition by CVS Health
- Take a leadership role in improving and then preserving the CMMI ACO REACH Model
- Help establish the first Health Equity Index Reward Factor in Medicare Advantage
- Create a more favorable policy environment for value-based care and position the company in partnership with CMS to reach the agency’s goal of having 100% of Medicare beneficiaries in an accountable relationship by 2030
2019-2021: Director of Policy, Federal Affairs & Partnerships at United States of Care
- Serve as a member of the strategy and leadership team to develop and implement a federal policy agenda while also establishing the necessary relationships and partnerships to move policy through Washington
- Develop, highlight and move to prominence private and not-for-profit sector healthcare innovations and position them in front of CMMI
2016-2019: Chief of Advocacy at The Alliance of Community Health Plans
- Achieve a 10 year reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), preserve federal financing of Medicaid, achieve reimbursement for telehealth services in Medicare Advantage (MA) for the first time
- Secure congressional witness testimony opportunities and prepare executives for appearances in front of congressional committees
2013-2016: Senior Legislative Representative at AARP
- Lead federal advocacy in the areas of Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplemental insurance, The Affordable Care Act and Employer Coverage
- Wins comprise inclusion of several Medicare Advantage policy proposals in the Senate Finance Committee Working Group on Chronic Care including what became C-SNPs and preservation of first dollar coverage in Medicare supplemental insurance during passage of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA)
2005-2013: Chief of Staff to NJ Assemblyman Gary Schaer, Chairman of the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee
- Lead nationally significant effort on surprise billing ten years prior to federal legislation
- Pass 23 bills into law, played a part in developing seven state budgets at $30 billion each
2003-2005: Deputy Press Secretary to U.S. Senator Jon Corzine (D-NJ)
- Lead advance press operation at 2004 Democratic National Convention for Chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
- Maintain relationships with local, state and national print, television and radio reporters as well as bloggers and activists
Education:
Andrew holds bachelor’s degrees in Policy Studies and History from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs and a Masters of Public Administration from Rutgers University.