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Leonardo Cuello

is a Research Professor at the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy’s Center for Children and Families.

Leonardo Cuello, J.D. is a Research Professor at the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy’s Center for Children and Families (CCF).

Leo has worked on Medicaid law and policy for the past two decades, most recently as the Health Policy Director of the National Health Law Program, where he has been involved in many of the major issues and litigation of recent times — such as work requirements. Leo’s current work focuses on Medicaid and Marketplace waiver authority, Medicaid managed care, payment and delivery system reform, Medicaid expansion, and Medicaid benefit packages.

Before joining the National Health Law Program, Leo worked for the Pennsylvania Health Law Project (PHLP) for six years, focusing on a wide range of healthcare issues dealing with eligibility and access to services in Medicaid and Medicare. At PHLP, Leo ran a project focused on immigrant and Latino health care, including direct representation of low-income immigrants and Latinos, and worked on numerous Medicaid eligibility and services issues through direct representation and policy work. Leo graduated with a B.A. from Swarthmore College and received his J.D. from The University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Leo loves all topics Medicaid and is excited to work on issues like Medicaid system design and managed care, waiver authorities, and addressing health-related social needs. One of his goals is to help develop accessible and actionable educational resources to support advocates, policymakers, and the general public – in both English and Spanish.

Latest From Leonardo

CMS Proposes to Revamp Medicaid Advisory Committees

Just a few months ago, we urged Medicaid advocates to consider leveraging their state Medicaid advisory committees to help improve their Medicaid programs. But now we’re happy to report that exciting changes may be coming to Medicaid advisory committees across the country! CMS recently issued new proposed regulations on access and managed care in Medicaid, […]

New CMS Guidance Encourages State Demonstrations to Improve Transitions into the Community for Individuals Released After Incarceration

On April 17, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), issued new guidance sharing a new opportunity for states interested in improving transitions from state incarceration to the community. The grotesque racial inequities in justice-involved populations, combined with abrupt transitions back into community settings without health supports after incarceration, lead to poor post-release health […]

We Just Checked and Medicaid Work Requirements are Still a Terrible Idea

Our world is constantly in flux and that can be stressful. But you can rest assured that Medicaid work requirements are a consistently and unalterably terrible idea. The years may pass, but some things never change. Just a few short years ago, numerous experts weighed in on the expected harms associated with Medicaid work requirements. […]