Nicola Pinson
Nicola Pinson

Nicola Pinson, JD

Principal

Health Management Associates

Seattle, WA

Email [javascript protected email address]

Phone (503) 820-2595

Nicola Pinson is an attorney with 20 years of experience in health policy research, design and evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and project management. She is a skilled writer, communicator and facilitator, and has experience working with state agencies, payers, healthcare providers, and community organizations.

Prior to joining HMA, Nicola served as a senior policy analyst with the Center for Evidence-based Policy at Oregon Health & Science University. In this capacity, Nicola worked with state Medicaid programs across the country to address policy challenges through research, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration. Nicola led policy research and analysis addressing a range of Medicaid-related topics, including value-based payment models; community health workers; strategies to address opioid use, misuse and abuse; physical and behavioral health integration; long-term care services and supports; coverage for corrections-involved populations; and care models for children in foster care, among other topics.

Before joining the Center, Nicola served as the policy director and legal counsel for the Oregon Primary Care Association, representing federally qualified health centers in Oregon. Nicola researched and analyzed legal, regulatory, and policy issues affecting Oregon FQHCs, and provided guidance for implementing new federal and state policy.

Nicola also worked at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, conducting national evaluations of federal healthcare and public health programs. She spent several years working as an independent attorney specializing in health law and policy.

Nicola earned her law degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College. She is a member of the Oregon State Bar, participates in the Health Law Section, and serves on the board of directors of the Oregon Public Health Institute.

Nicola enjoys searching for shells and cool rocks on the beach with her family, skiing, and making pancakes.