Illinois Health and Hospital Association
Cassandra Yarbrough has a diverse work experience in the healthcare and policy field. Cassandra began their career as an intern at Urban Initiatives and later at Healthy Schools Campaign. In 2010, they also worked as a Health Care Intern at GAO. In 2011, they joined HHS as a Program Analyst with the Office of Inspector General, focusing on research on the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
From 2013 to 2019, Cassandra worked at the American Dental Association as a Health Policy Researcher and later as a Lead Public Policy Analyst. Cassandra'sresponsibilities included conducting policy research and leading multi-stakeholder teams to improve oral health programs and expand dental coverage under Medicare.
Currently, Cassandra serves as the Assistant Vice President of Health Policy and Finance at the Illinois Health and Hospital Association. Cassandra'sprevious roles at the association include Senior Director of Medicare Policy and Director of Medicare Policy. In these positions, they led initiatives to strengthen the Medicare program and addressed healthcare system issues such as quality measurement, provider shortages, and third-party payer concerns.
Cassandra Yarbrough earned their Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where they studied from 2004 to 2008. Following their undergraduate studies, they pursued further education at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago, where they obtained a Master of Public Policy (MPP) in Public Policy Analysis from 2009 to 2011.
Illinois Health and Hospital Association
The Illinois Health and Hospital Association, with offices in Naperville, Chicago, Springfield and Washington, D.C., is dedicated to advocating for Illinois' more than 200 hospitals and nearly 50 health systems as they serve their patients and communities throughout the state. Our members provide a broad range of services—not just within their walls, but across the continuum and throughout their communities. Reflecting the diversity of our state, our member nonprofit, investor-owned and public hospitals include: • Community hospitals • Safety net hospitals • Teaching hospitals and academic medical centers • Rural and critical access hospitals • Specialty hospitals Who We Are Mission To be the trusted voice and resource for members as they care for their communities. Vision To be the most trusted and influential Association in advancing optimal health and healthcare. Vision for Illinois Healthcare To support each person's quest for optimum health, all individuals and communities have access to high-quality healthcare at the right time and in the right setting.