Reese Edwards joined Cardinal Innovations Healthcare as Vice President of Government Affairs in November 2020 and is the organization’s strategic leader focused on developing forward-looking public policy solutions to improve member health.
Edwards is an experienced Government and External Affairs leader with over 20 years of experience in campaigns, advocacy and developing effective public policy strategies. Whether it’s implementing the Affordable Care Act or launching a new health program with the Brazilian government, he has used his expertise in political messaging and public policy advocacy to achieve results.
Edwards has spent the last 20 years in the political arena working with elected officials throughout the country and internationally on multiple public sector growth and policy initiatives.
Previously, he served as Chairman of the Colorado Association of Health Plans and Vice Chairman of the New Mexico Insurance Alliance, now the Health Insurance Exchange board, working to find solutions to state-wide challenges.
Edwards’ experience spans the world of grassroots movements and coalition building to the management of a $2 billion-plus Medicaid mental health procurement contract considered the nation’s largest contract of its kind ever awarded at that time.
Edwards’ career began as a policy advisor in the South Carolina Governor’s office before joining a consulting firm in New Mexico where he managed operations for more than 25 statewide clients.
Edwards has a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of South Carolina-Columbia where he also completed an undergraduate degree in Southern Studies.
In his spare time, Reese enjoys reading, running (slowly), whitewater rafting, traveling, spending time with friends and family and taking long walks with Wilson, the family dog, who is a very good boy.