Amanda Bank, MPH, is a program officer at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, she supports initiatives that address health-related social needs for individuals served by Medicaid, including expanding access to benefits, streamlining state and federal benefit programs, and incorporating community-based organizations in Medicaid efforts. Her current project work includes the Medicaid Health-Related Social Needs Learning Series, which supports state Medicaid agencies in advancing social needs strategies within Medicaid and promoting health equity. She also works on projects related to LGBTQ+ health, and centering community voice in Medicaid policy and program design.

Prior to joining CHCS, much of Amanda’s work focused on addressing disparities related to food security at the national, state, and local levels. She previously worked at Harvard Law School’s Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation supporting its Food is Medicine research, as well as the Cambridge Public Health Department, working to expand SNAP and access to local healthy food options.

Amanda holds a master’s degree in public health from the Tufts University School of Medicine, with a concentration in health services, management, and policy. She earned her bachelor’s degree in community health from Tufts University.

When not thinking about Medicaid policy, you can find Amanda teaching yoga, rock climbing, and generally enjoying life outside.