Kristen O’Brien is an accomplished healthcare executive with a deep understanding of regulatory advocacy and healthcare policy efforts.
Kristen offers a strong background and a keen eye for solutions to barriers and challenges impacting healthcare clients. With more than 10 years of experience, her work focuses on implementing new laws through the rulemaking process, as well as working with relevant agency officials to develop and improve agency guidance.
Kristen recently served as Principal of the Health Industry Policy and Regulatory Practice Group at a law and lobbying firm where she provided representation for hospital systems, physician practices, medical device companies, digital health companies and trade associations. She has extensive experience in providing analysis and counsel related to government healthcare payment programs under Medicare and Medicaid. She also has extensive knowledge of navigating the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) and others.
Previously, Kristen provided legislative and regulatory legal analysis as a senior attorney for the American Medical Association. Additionally, Kristen served on the staff of former Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), focusing on health and environmental issues, as well as financial reform.
Insights, News & Events
Client alert / January 7, 2026
ASTP’s HTI-5 relaxes certification criteria while tightening information blocking exceptions
Article / December 23, 2025
Federal government continues efforts to prohibit gender-affirming care for minors
Client alert / December 16, 2025
White House executive order moves to restrict state AI legislation
Article / November 5, 2025
HHS GPS v2.0 + HRSA “strategic priority areas”: Impact on federal grant recipients ...
Client alert / September 5, 2025
Article / June 25, 2025
FAQs Regarding the Skrmetti Decision for Healthcare Entities and Payors
Article / May 29, 2025
Client alert / May 29, 2025
One Big Beautiful Bill Act Has Many Impacts for Nonprofit Health Systems
Client alert / December 16, 2025
White House executive order moves to restrict state AI legislation
Article / November 5, 2025
HHS GPS v2.0 + HRSA “strategic priority areas”: Impact on federal grant recipients ...
Client alert / September 5, 2025
Article / June 25, 2025
FAQs Regarding the Skrmetti Decision for Healthcare Entities and Payors
Article / May 29, 2025
Client alert / May 29, 2025
One Big Beautiful Bill Act Has Many Impacts for Nonprofit Health Systems
Webinar / Virtual / March 27, 2025
Webinar / Virtual / March 13 – April 24, 2025
Webinar / Virtual / Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Healthcare AI Investing: Latest Trends Impacting Portfolio Companies and Investors
Nashville, TN / In-person / May 15-16, 2024
New York / In-person / April 10-11, 2024
Roundtable / In-person / December 16, 2021
Facing the No Surprises Act - Focus on Hospitals and Health Systems
Chicago / Awards & Rankings / March 4, 2024
JD Supra Readers Choice Awards Recognize McDermott as the Top Firm for ...
Washington, DC / Law360 / October 31, 2023
Washington, DC / Part B News / October 16, 2023
CY2024 CPT Update Delivers 230 New Codes, Fine Tunes E/M Times
Washington, DC / Part B News / October 16, 2023
Chicago / Awards & Rankings / January 4, 2022
McDermott Recognized with Go-To Thought Leadership Award for COVID Guidance and Cybersecurity ...
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