Marielle Kress Joins American Academy of Pediatrics as Assistant Director

WASHINGTON, April 3 -- The American Academy of Pediatrics issued the following news release:

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) welcomes Marielle Kress, MPP, as a new assistant director in its Department of Federal Affairs, based in Washington, DC. In this role, Kress will oversee a portfolio of issues focused on children's health insurance coverage and access to care, including Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and the Affordable Care Act, among others.

Before joining AAP, Kress was a senior advisor to the director of the Center for Medicaid & CHIP Services (CMCS) within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In this capacity, Kress advised the Center Director on Medicaid and CHIP policy, regulatory, budget, media/communications, and legislative issues and served as a Medicaid and CHIP policy expert for the CMS Administrator and HHS Secretary. She also held various policy roles at CMCS before serving in the Center Director's office. Prior to her time at HHS, Kress was a member of the health reform practice at Avalere Health. She received her Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University and graduated cum laude from Brandeis University.

"We welcome Marielle Kress to our team during a pivotal moment for children's health care coverage," said Mark Del Monte, JD, chief deputy and senior vice president of advocacy and external affairs for the AAP. "Marielle's in-depth understanding of CHIP and Medicaid will be an invaluable asset to the Academy's work in Washington to ensure that these programs continue to provide critical coverage to children and families. Her energy, expertise and commitment to child health will enrich our capacity to advocate for children, and we are thrilled to have her on board."

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 66,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org.