ForHealth Consulting at UMass Chan Medical School today announced that Beth Waldman, JD, MPH, has joined the organization as managing director of Health Care Finance Solutions. Waldman is a nationally recognized expert in health care policy and Medicaid transformation, bringing more than three decades of leadership experience across state government, consulting, and national advisory roles. Throughout her career, she has focused on expanding access to care, advancing value‑based payment models and strengthening public health programs.
In her new role, Waldman will lead ForHealth Consulting’s Health Care Finance Solutions practice, working with states, health plans, and providers to design and implement innovative strategies that improve affordability, optimize payment approaches, and enhance care delivery for vulnerable populations.
Waldman recently served as senior managing director at Bailit Health, where she advised states and stakeholders on Medicaid managed care design and oversight, value‑based payment program development, and behavioral health and long‑term services reform. Her work has supported programs in Massachusetts, Michigan, Oregon, Colorado, and North Dakota, among many others.
“Beth’s experience and leadership in Medicaid policy and delivery system reform will be a tremendous asset to our clients and partners,” said Lisa M. Colombo, DNP, MHA, RN, executive vice chancellor of ForHealth Consulting at UMass Chan Medical School. “Her deep expertise in value‑based purchasing, managed care and program implementation will strengthen our ability to help clients navigate complex financing challenges and deliver better outcomes.”
“I’m thrilled to join ForHealth Consulting and lead the Health Care Finance Solutions practice at a time when states and health systems are under immense pressure to improve value,” said Waldman. “I look forward to working with our partners to strengthen financing strategies that expand access, improve care delivery and support sustainable, high-quality systems, particularly for low-income populations.”
Earlier in her career, Waldman served as Massachusetts Medicaid (MassHealth) director, where she oversaw the MassHealth program and played a key leadership role in the development and implementation of the state’s landmark health care reform initiative. She also held multiple senior positions in the state Medicaid agency, including as director of waiver implementation and assistant general counsel, where she helped shape Medicaid policy, negotiate federal waivers, and guide program expansions.
A widely respected thought leader, Waldman has led and contributed to numerous national studies and toolkits focused on Medicaid managed care, payment reform, and delivery system transformation. She has collaborated with organizations such as the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, the Commonwealth Fund, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the National Association of Medicaid Directors. She is also a frequent facilitator of cross‑state workgroups and a trusted advisor on complex policy and implementation challenges.
Waldman has a law degree from Boston College Law School, a Master of Public Health degree from the T.H Chan School of Public Health at Harvard, and a bachelor’s degree from Union College.