WASHINGTON - Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) today announced that Cybele Bjorklund, Democratic Staff Director for the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee since 2001, will step down early next year to pursue other opportunities, including an affiliation with Georgetown University. Succeeding Bjorklund as Staff Director will be Amy Hall, currently Senior Professional Health Staff on the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Bjorklund will be accepting a joint appointment as a Senior Fellow at the Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy and as a Distinguished Visitor at the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at the Georgetown University Law Center. She has worked in Congress since 1995. Prior to joining Ways and Means, Bjorklund worked at the Senate HELP Committee under Sen. Ted Kennedy, where she was the Deputy Staff Director for Health from 1997-2001. Prior to working for Senator Kennedy, Bjorklund worked for Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle and the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), now known as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
“With her departure, Cybele Bjorklund will leave behind an incredible legacy of achievement, capped by her instrumental role in shaping the Affordable Care Act," said Rep. Levin. “Cybele’s passion for and commitment to improving and protecting Americans’ health care is on display every day at the Ways and Means Committee, and she is leaving behind an impressive record of service. We are indebted to her for her total dedication and unique service, and wish her all the best as she begins a new and exciting phase of her career."
Amy Hall brings to the Ways and Means Committee more than 15 years of experience on the Energy and Commerce Committee, where she has worked since 1997, with the exception of 2009-2011 when she served as the Director of the Office of Legislation at CMS. Hall worked on Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP and private insurance issues for Energy and Commerce under Ranking Member Dingell. After directing the Office of Legislation at CMS for nearly three years, Hall returned to the Energy and Commerce Committee in 2011 under Ranking Member Waxman, handling a diversity of financing issues. Hall also worked at HCFA before coming to work in Congress.
“Amy Hall is highly regarded on both sides of the Capitol for her depth of knowledge and experience, as well as her relationships on both sides of the aisle, and we are thrilled to welcome her to our staff and the Committee," said Rep. Levin. “Amy’s expertise will be invaluable as she joins the Committee staff and she will play a key leadership role as we navigate the health care challenges of the coming Congress and beyond."
