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Medicaid Work Requirements and Community Engagement Playbook

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Mari Cantwell

Senior Strategic Advisor, Healthcare Finance

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Mari Cantwell served as the Medicaid Director for the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) from 2015 until January 2020. She entered the Director role following her time as the appointed Chief Deputy Director of Health Care Programs, which began in February of 2013. Mari was responsible for the overall management of Health Care Delivery Systems, Health Care Financing, and Health Care Benefits and Eligibility. Prior to her appointment, Mari served as the Deputy Director, Health Care Financing, where she was responsible for the development, promotion, and implementation of health care delivery systems to the beneficiaries of the State Medi-Cal program. Before joining the Department, from 2005 to 2011, Mari worked at the California Association of Public Hospitals & Health Systems as the Vice President of Finance Policy.

Current Responsibility

Mari brings deep expertise in healthcare financing and Medicaid policy, drawing on two decades of leadership in both the public and nonprofit sectors. Leveraging her experience as California’s former Medicaid Director, Mari provides strategic guidance to clients navigating complex healthcare financing challenges, including Medicaid program design, delivery system reform, and federal and state policy alignment. Her unique insights into public health systems and financing structures make her an invaluable resource to clients seeking to improve access, sustainability, and outcomes in healthcare delivery.

Education

  • University of California – Los Angeles, MPP, Health Policy
  • Brown University, BA, Public Policy and American Institutions
Meet Our Team: Q&A with Mari Cantwell, Director, California Services
Mari Cantwell oversees the firm’s initiatives in California and uses her policy experience to offer clients insight into state financing, Medicaid services and functions, and community programs. She served as the Medicaid Director for the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) from 2015 until January 2020. She entered the Director role following her time as the appointed Chief Deputy Director of Health Care Programs, which began in February 2013. Mari was responsible for the overall management of the policy deputy directors over Health Care Delivery Systems, Health Care Financing, and Health Care Benefits and Eligibility. Prior to her appointment, Mari served as the Deputy Director, Health Care Financing, where she was responsible for the development, promotion, and implementation of health care delivery systems to the beneficiaries of the State Medi-Cal program. Before joining DHCS, Mari worked at the California Association of Public Hospitals & Health Systems (CAPH) as the Vice President of Finance Policy for six years.
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