Nikki Highsmith, Senior Vice President at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), has more than 15 years experience in Medicaid and health policy. At CHCS, she leads a set of national quality, measurement and improvement collaboratives, working with state Medicaid agencies, health plans, providers and consumer organizations. She also spearheads the development of public/private regional improvement programs, including multi-payer initiatives to drive measurement, quality improvement, and efficiency.
Ms. Highsmith has significant experience in Medicaid, both as a state purchaser and a federal budget official. Her expertise includes state Medicaid management, legislative and policy experience at the federal and state levels, technical assistance to states, and professional relationships with Medicaid staff. She was the deputy director of the Medicaid Managed Care Program for the Massachusetts Medicaid Program, and a senior Medicaid analyst at the Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President, in Washington, D.C. She currently sits on several national committees and advisory groups related to health care redesign and quality.
Ms. Highsmith holds a master's degree in public administration from American University, and a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Texas.