Alyssa Llamas M.P.H.
Vice President
Alyssa Llamas has a diverse background in health policy and public health, with seven years of experience in government, research, and nonprofit settings, in health care access, women’s health, occupational safety and health, immunization, and environmental health.
Alyssa draws from her hands-on experience in advocacy, research, and policymaking to best serve clients. Most recently, she managed the federal policy portfolio at the National Women’s Health Network. At the Jacobs Institute of Women’s Health, Alyssa was first author of a white paper on the public health impacts of state-level abortion restrictions for policymakers, advocates, and the media. As an intern in the Health Office of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee under Ranking Member Patty Murray, she provided legislative support to senior staff, performed background research on administration officials, and helped conduct committee hearings.
Through her frontline experience, Alyssa understands how federal policy decisions affect state and local partners and how to collaborate effectively with community members. Before graduate school, Alyssa spent five years with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), delivering public health services as a field assignee at the Rocky Mountain Tribal Epidemiology Center and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. She also worked at CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, developing education materials and implementing strategies to foster adoption of recommended best practices.
Alyssa received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, San Diego and a Master of Public Health with a concentration in health policy from The George Washington University. Originally from California, she lives in Washington, D.C.
COVID-19: House Passes (Updated) CARES Act (Phase III COVID-19 Stimulus); Next Step: President’s Signature
The House passed, by a voice vote, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (H.R. 748) – the third in a series of bills intended to enhance the federal government and health care system’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, while providing economic relief to individuals and businesses (WHG summary here). The bill now…
COVID-19: CDC Releases New Guidance for Providers and Hospitals; Preparedness Checklists; Clinical Specimens; Dialysis Facilities
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released new and updated guidance to aid health care providers and hospitals in treating possible or confirmed patients with COVID-19. Resources for Hospitals and Healthcare Professionals Preparing for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 – Provides checklists highlighting key steps for hospitals and front-line healthcare providers…
COVID-19: Senate Updates Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
Full summary available here. On March 25, 2020, the Senate released an updated version of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act – a package of bills intended to strengthen the federal government and health care system’s response to COVID-19, as well as provide economic relief to individuals and businesses. The House is…
Framing the Week
Bipartisan talks in the Senate continue this week after the chamber failed to clear a procedural threshold to move forward on H.R. 748, the legislative vehicle for Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Meanwhile, House Democrats are expected to unveil legislative text for their own proposal as soon as today after a…
COVID-19: Summary of Senate Republicans’ Phase 3 Coronavirus Stimulus Package
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the “phase 3” coronavirus stimulus package on March 19, 2020. The Senate is expected to vote on the package early next week. In response, WHG has issued a summary of the health-related provisions that address medical supply shortages, coverage of COVID-19 diagnostic testing, support for health care providers,…
Framing the Week
COVID-19 Congress remains in session this week in an extraordinary effort to mitigate the health and economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The House acted last Friday to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), designed to guarantee free coronavirus testing, establish paid leave, enhance unemployment insurance, expand food security initiatives, and temporarily…
Framing the Week
President Trump continues to face scrutiny over his administration’s efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak. As expected, congressional Democrats are wielding their oversight authority aggressively. They have pressed the administration on a number of issues, including the availability of COVID-19 diagnostic tests, nursing home safety, and the impact of the administration’s expansion and promotion of…
Framing the Week
Back from recess, lawmakers hit the ground running with less than three months to secure a deal on surprise medical billing and prescription drug pricing legislation for inclusion in the “must-pass” health care extenders package due May 22. Pressure is high for Congress and the Trump administration to deliver, as the top priority for American…
Framing the Week
Lawmakers break for a one-week recess after a busy work period, making incremental progress on the surprise medical billing front and beginning the annual appropriations process. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Budget Committee Chair John Yarmuth (D-KY) have already said that they will stick to the topline fiscal 2021 spending levels agreed…