Ms. Sachs is a nationally known expert on design and financing of Medicaid and SCHIP waiver programs. She has more than 16 years experience in health care, including seven years at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (formerly the Health Care Financing Administration) where she specialized in Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Prior to joining HMA in 2005, she provided consulting assistance to several states relative to the analysis and development of waiver proposals. Her experience includes policy and budget analysis, legislation, administration, and contract management. She concentrates on policy analysis of health care issues, program development, budget neutrality and policy negotiations, and program implementation. She also conducts focus groups and facilitates multi-faceted work groups. Ms. Sachs also has experience as a legislative analyst for the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, as a program manager for The National Council on Aging, and as Director of an Area Agency on Aging, where she spearheaded several initiatives aimed at expanding options for elders with disabilities to remain in their own homes.