Ilisa Halpern Paul

Senior Policy Advisor
Paul Ilisa Halpern

Ilisa Halpern Paul helps for-profit companies and nonprofit organizations develop and implement strategies to advance their legislative, regulatory, programmatic, policy, and business goals before Congress and the executive branch. Ilisa collaborates with her clients to create comprehensive federal government relations programs that raise their profiles and expand their influence on national policy. Clients receive direct lobbying representation and strategic counsel regarding legislative, regulatory, and grassroots advocacy; coalition building; and third-party stakeholder alliance development. Clients value her strategic and political insight, innovative messaging, creative problem solving, and ability to anticipate federal policy challenges and opportunities.

Ilisa is a sought-after public speaker, known for her engaging keynote addresses and skillful ability to facilitate complex roundtable meetings, and moderate engaging panel discussions. Clients particularly appreciate her ability to deftly develop a range of well-written, strategic advocacy materials, including legislative text, issue briefs, regulatory comments, testimony, and responses to requests for information.

Ilisa draws on more than 30 years of recorded success in lobbying, public policy, and advocacy and has substantial experience with a wide range of domestic health, education, food and agriculture, and workforce issues. Ilisa serves as co-lead of the firm’s Health Policy Team in its Legislative and Government Affairs Practice Group. Clients benefit from her relationships with policymakers in Congress and federal agencies, and rely on her extensive knowledge of various issues, including:

  • Healthcare financing and delivery system reform
  • Medicare and Medicaid payment policy
  • The Affordable Care Act (ACA)
  • Digital health and telemedicine
  • Value-based care
  • Home health and post-acute care
  • Public health and prevention
  • Federal policy and programs related to chronic disease, cancer, behavioral health, and rural health
  • Federal budget and appropriations processes
  • Federal policy related to workforce training, apprenticeships, and internships
  • Federal policy pertaining to cell-cultured proteins, including seafood

Experience

Government Experience

  • Staff member, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)

Insights

Credentials
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Education

  • M.P.P. Public Policy Georgetown University 1995
  • B.A. English University of California at Los Angeles 1991

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • Member, American Public Health Association
  • Member, Women in Government Relations
  • Member, Board of Visitors, English Department, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Recognition
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  • The Hill, Top Lobbyists, 2015 – 2021

Community
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Volunteerism

  • Room parent, The Lab School of Washington
  • Chair, Parent Steering Committee, DCJCC Preschool