The Senior Manager, Federal Affairs & Payment Policy will serve as the American Burn Association’s (ABA) staff-level lead on federal policy, reimbursement, and funding issues. Based either at ABA headquarters in Chicago or in the Washington, DC area, this role provides policy support, internal coordination with ABA governance and committees, and subject matter expertise across a broad range of advocacy priorities. The position works closely with the CEO, ABA Committees (Economic & Access, Government Advocacy, Clinical Practice Guidelines, Disaster), liaisons to the American Medical Association (AMA), peer medical societies, and ABA volunteers.

The Senior Manager also collaborates with ABA’s Washington, DC lobbying firm and external coding consultants to advance advocacy priorities strategically and cost-effectively, strengthening ABA’s influence while reducing reliance on outsourced services. A key focus of this role is helping integrate ABA’s Burn Care Quality Platform (registry data) into evidence-based advocacy, reimbursement proposals, and federal funding requests.

Core Goals (Aligned to ABA’s Strategic Pillars)

1. Strengthen Federal Advocacy (Governance & Leadership) – Position ABA as the recognized national voice for burn care in federal policy and funding decisions.
2. Protect & Advance Reimbursement (Quality) – Support equitable reimbursement across physicians, hospitals, and rehabilitation services, leveraging registry data where possible.
3. Integrate Burn Care into National Preparedness (Prevention) – Ensure burn care is represented in federal trauma, disaster, and emergency preparedness frameworks.
4. Build Internal Policy Capacity (Research & Governance) – Expand ABA’s in-house policy expertise and data-driven advocacy.
5. Amplify ABA’s Strategic Influence (Education) – Strengthen partnerships with AMA, ACS, peer societies, and burn survivor networks, and equip members with advocacy resources.

Key Responsibilities

Federal Policy and Advocacy

• Monitor and analyze federal legislation and regulations impacting burn care (e.g., reimbursement, Medicare, graduate medical education, telehealth, trauma preparedness).
• Draft comment letters, position statements, and briefing materials for ABA leadership, Board of Trustees, committees, and CEO.
• Coordinate ABA’s responses to federal public comment periods to ensure the burn community’s perspective is represented.
• Serve as staff liaison to ABA’s Government Advocacy Committee and Washington, DC lobbying firm.
• Support advocacy events such as Capitol Hill visits, federal agency briefings, and coalition meetings.

Payment Policy and Reimbursement

• Provide staff support for ABA’s Economics & Advisory Committee on Coding, Coverage, and Reimbursement.
• Collaborate with ABA’s coding consulting firm to monitor developments and help coordinate ABA’s involvement in AMA CPT/RUC processes.
• Support ABA advisors and physician leaders as needed, in preparing proposals for new or revised billing codes, survey efforts, and valuation recommendations.
• Assist in translating Medicare and Medicaid payment rules into clear, practical resources for ABA members (e.g., billing updates, webinars, FAQs).
• Help integrate registry data into coding proposals, reimbursement justifications, and advocacy for equitable payment models.

Federal Funding and Research Opportunities

• Identify and track federal funding opportunities relevant to burn care across agencies (BARDA, ASPR, NIH, DoD, FEMA, HRSA).
• Partner with ABA leadership and the lobbying firm to advocate for appropriations language and program support to strengthen burn research, verification, and readiness.

National Association and Coalition Engagement

• Support ABA’s role in AMA payment and policy processes by monitoring agendas, preparing briefing materials, and ensuring ABA representation.
• Attend and support ABA leaders at AMA House of Delegates meetings and related forums, coordinating testimony, resolution development, and caucus participation.
• Assist ABA leaders in building relationships within multi-specialty coalitions related to surgery, trauma, and emergency preparedness.
• Work with ABA’s DC lobbying firm to align advocacy efforts with AMA, ACS, and other specialty societies.

Internal Leadership and Communication

• Provide concise policy updates and advocacy dashboards for the CEO, Board of Trustees, and membership.
• Partner with the Communications team to ensure consistent advocacy messaging.
• Support member education initiatives such as webinars, town halls, and training sessions.
• Manage advocacy-related budgets, oversee lobbying compliance, and track performance metrics.

About the American Burn Association (ABA)

The American Burn Association (ABA) is the leading national nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by burn injury. We are a dynamic, mission-driven organization that unites a broad, multidisciplinary community, including surgeons, nurses, rehabilitation specialists, researchers, mental health professionals, EMS personnel, firefighters, first responders, and burn survivors.

Through education, research, advocacy, prevention, and burn disaster preparedness, the ABA advances evidence-based, equitable burn care and supports the professionals who deliver it. From developing national training programs and verification standards to strengthening disaster response protocols and driving cross-sector collaboration, we are improving outcomes and readiness across the burn care continuum.

Headquartered in Chicago, IL, the ABA offers a collaborative, purpose-filled work environment where curiosity, compassion, and impact thrive. Whether working in person or remotely, our team is united by a shared commitment to shape the future of burn care through connection, innovation, and preparedness.

Learn more at www.ameriburn.org.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience: 3–5 years of staff-level experience in federal health policy, reimbursement, government affairs, or related roles in Congressional offices, federal agencies, consulting firms, patient advocacy organizations, associations, or the private sector. Experience with physician payment systems and specialty society advocacy is a plus, but not required.
• Policy Expertise: Familiarity with AMA’s CPT and RUC processes and/or CMS payment systems is desired but not required; candidates with relevant policy experience will receive training and support.
• Skills: Strong ability to analyze legislative, regulatory, and reimbursement issues and translate them into clear, actionable guidance. Superior writing, communication, and presentation skills required.
• Collaboration: Demonstrated success working with diverse stakeholders such as volunteer leaders, consultants, coalition partners, and lobbying firms.
• Project Management: Excellent organizational and multitasking skills; ability to manage deadlines and committee deliverables.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in health policy, public health, law, or related field a plus.

Key Qualities

• Mission-driven: Committed to advancing burn care, outcomes, and preparedness.
• Politically savvy: Skilled in navigating sensitive policy discussions and relationship-building.
• Collaborative: Works effectively with volunteers, staff, lobbyists, and external partners.
• Clear communicator: Able to distill complex issues into actionable updates.
• Strategic thinker: Balances detail with broader advocacy vision.
• Adaptable and resourceful: Thrives in fast-paced environments.
• Fiscally responsible: Exercises sound judgment in managing budgets and resources.
• Values-centered: Embodies ABA’s values of integrity, innovation, collaboration, and compassion.

About American Burn Association

The American Burn Association is dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by burn injury. The American Burn Association and its members dedicate their efforts and resources to promoting and supporting burn-related research, education, care, rehabilitation, and prevention. The ABA has more than 2,000 members in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Members include physicians, nurses, occupational and physical therapists, researchers, social workers, firefighters, and hospitals with burn centers. Our multidisciplinary membership enhances our ability to work toward common goals with other organizations on educational programs.

Connections working at American Burn Association