Dr. Atkins serves as NPHI’s Chief Policy Officer, overseeing the team responsible for policy development, regulatory affairs, and advocacy. He was previously the Executive Director of both the Long-Term Quality Alliance (LTQA) and the National MLTSS Health Plan Association. In 2013, he served as the Staff Director for the Federal Commission on Long-Term Care. Prior to that, he led U.S. Public Policy at the global pharmaceutical manufacturer Merck.
Dr. Atkins is a veteran of more than 40 years in health and social policy analysis, policy development, and legislative representation at the local, state, and federal levels. He directed Public Policy at Schering-Plough Corporation; founded and served as President of Health Policy Analysts, Inc., a firm providing consultation on pharmaceutical, health benefits, and healthcare reimbursement issues; served as Executive Director of the Corporate Health Care Coalition, an alliance of Fortune 100 companies focused on federal and state health reform issues; and led a health and benefits policy practice in the Washington office of the New York law firm Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam, and Roberts.
During the 1990s, Dr. Atkins served on two quadrennial Social Security Advisory Commissions—first in 1991 as a Commission member and again in 1995 as a member of the Technical Panel.
In the 1980s, Dr. Atkins served on the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging as professional staff, Deputy Staff Director, and Republican Staff Director for Chairman John Heinz (R-PA). He also advised Senator Heinz in his role on the Senate Finance Committee on retirement income and health policy matters and as a member of the 1983 National Commission on Social Security Reform. Before his work in Congress, Dr. Atkins developed health and human services policy at the state and local government levels.
Dr. Atkins is a founding member and immediate past President of the National Academy of Social Insurance. He holds a Ph.D. from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, where he currently serves on the Board of Advisors. He also holds master’s degrees from the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky, along with an undergraduate degree from Kenyon College.