ABOUT KATIE
Katie Merritt is a Licensed Social Worker with extensive experience in both direct practice and policy development. She brings a unique perspective to the intersection of direct service provision and systemic change. Over the previous decade, she's leveraged her expertise to bridge the gap between service delivery and policy reform.
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She lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with her husband, Eric, and their two dogs, Monty and Koopa.
Education & Licensure
Master of Social Work
University at Buffalo
State University of New York
Bachelor of Social Work
Lock Haven University
Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Department of State
Accomplishments
Katie is proud to have been a driving force behind significant reforms in healthcare, insurance, and higher education policy across two Pennsylvania gubernatorial administrations.
Prior Authorization Reform
Worked with a team to negotiate Act 146 of 2022, which brought transparency to the prior authorization process utilized by health insurers and permitted the Insurance Department to conduct external reviews of insurance claim denials.
No Surprises Act Implementation
Conducted stakeholder outreach and education, consulted on a consumer protection executive order, and supported the implementation of the federal No Surprises Act to safeguard consumers from surprise medical bills.
Higher Education Transformation
Contributed to securing historic budget investments in post-secondary education, with a focus on enhancing student affordability and the creation of a new State Board of Higher Education.
Behavioral Health Funding
Coordinated a legislatively created 24-member commission and drafted the final report outlining recommendations to invest $100 million in one-time funding to support adults with behavioral health needs.
Enhanced Parity Regulation
Assisted the Insurance Department with developing and implementing increased regulation of health insurance plans with a specific focus on compliance with the Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA).
Addressing Equity & Social Determinants of Health
Engaged with insurers and stakeholders on addressing AI algorithm bias, improving race data collection, and advocating for the elimination of gender and race-based biases in plan design, coverage policies and practices, and provider network development.
Work Experience
Seasons of Hope
Therapist
Provides professional therapeutic support, specializing in working with young adults (16 plus), adults, and couples navigating challenges such as life transitions, anxiety, trauma, depression, and feelings of being stuck.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro
Assistant Deputy Secretary for Policy and Planning
Helped develop, guide, and implement Governor Shapiro's policies, budgets, regulations, and executive actions in conjunction with the Department of Insurance, Department of Education, Pennie, Game Commission, Employment First Commission and Cabinet, and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.
Pennsylvania Insurance Department
Director of Policy and Planning
Served as the primary policy advisor to the Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner and senior leaders in the Pennsylvania Governor's Office on insurance-related policy and legislative matters.
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Executive Advisor; Overdose Prevention & Response Coordinator
Advised leadership at the Pennsylvania Department of Health and worked with stakeholders on issues relating to health preparedness and community protection, opioid and substance use epidemic, and COVID-19 mitigation.
Pennsylvania Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
Executive Policy & Legislative Affairs Specialist
Coordinated with the Office of Veterans Affairs, key stakeholders, and legislators on state-run issues relating to veterans' services.
