Kathy Gifford, JD

Principal

Health Management Associates

Indianapolis, IN

[javascript protected email address]

(317) 818-1005

Kathy Gifford has over two decades of Medicaid policy experience. She is a leading expert on state Medicaid programs, advising clients on the challenges, opportunities, and complexities that arise in a program designed and administered differently in every state. Kathy works with public and private sector clients including states, health plans, provider organizations and associations, and patient advocacy groups.

Kathy’s areas of expertise include program and policy analyses, market research, and procurement. She also co-authors the nationally recognized, annual KFF Medicaid budget survey report. In addition to tracking and analyzing budget and policy trends in state Medicaid programs, Kathy and her co-authors identify emerging issues for policymakers across the country, including managed care and delivery system reform trends.

Prior to joining HMA in 2002, Kathy directed the State of Indiana’s Medicaid program. She also served in leadership for the Indiana State Budget Agency with budget oversight responsibility for a wide range of issues including Medicaid financing, welfare reform, and school formula equalization. Before joining the State Budget Agency, she practiced corporate, securities, and general business law.

Kathy earned her law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center and her bachelor’s degree in political science from DePauw University.