The Alliance for Health Policy Announces 2026 Class of Bipartisan Learning Communities Congressional Fellows

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 17, 2026

The Alliance for Health Policy Announces 2026 Class of Bipartisan Learning Communities Congressional Fellows

– Second cohort builds on successful inaugural year, expands a growing community of emerging health policy leaders

Washington, D.C. — The Alliance for Health Policy today announced the 2026 class of Bipartisan Learning Communities (BLC) Congressional Fellows, a bipartisan cohort of 30 congressional staff selected to participate in the Alliance’s second annual leadership and professional development program.

Now entering its second year, the BLC Congressional Fellowship builds on the success of the inaugural year by delivering on the strong demand for sustained, cohort-based learning designed specifically for the real-world needs of congressional staff.

Fellows participate in expert-led sessions, skill-building workshops, and peer learning experiences that deepen their health policy understanding while fostering constructive relationships across chambers, offices, and perspectives. The program stands out among others for its ability to connect fellows with the unparalleled Alliance network of bipartisan health policy professionals, drawn from its thirty-year history of supporting learning and growth.

“Our first year’s fellowship confirmed that listening first – to potential fellows, their managers, and experts in adult education and health policy – before launching educational efforts, is the key to success,” said Claire Sheahan, M.Sc., president and CEO of the Alliance for Health Policy. “This second class takes that principle even further. This year’s fellows will join an even stronger program, because it incorporates inputs and learnings from year one. Our aim is not only to transfer knowledge, but to help fellows build their skills, networks, and confidence to be health policy leaders.”

The 2026 fellow class reflects Alliance values of bipartisanship and collaboration. The cohort includes 30 congressional staff, evenly split between Democratic and Republican offices, including aspiring health policy leaders in both the House and Senate. Together, they represent a broad cross-section of congressional offices and roles committed to investing in staff development and policy expertise.

2026 BLC Congressional Fellowship Class

The BLC Congressional Fellowship reflects the Alliance’s broader mission to deliver nonpartisan, expert-led education that equips policymakers and their staff to better understand complex health policy challenges and trade-offs. Fellows are encouraged to share their participation with their professional networks and engage with the broader Alliance community throughout the year. This year also marks the first year of Alliance programming for 2025 Fellow Alumni. The first class of BLC Fellows will continue to benefit from opportunities to learn with the fellows and on their own.

“One of the most encouraging parts of working with newer professionals on the Hill is seeing how much leadership potential is already there. What many of them need is simply the space and support to develop it,” said Mike Park, J.D., MPH, Alliance board member and former health policy counsel to Sen. Charles Grassley during his tenure as chairman and ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee. “Programs like the Bipartisan Learning Communities Fellowship give congressional staff the opportunity to step back from the daily pace and distractions of the Hill, learn from experienced policy leaders who have lived it, and build relationships across offices and parties. Those experiences help shape the kind of thoughtful, collaborative leadership needed for effective health policy.”

Over the course of the program, fellows will engage with senior health policy experts, veteran Hill leaders, and Alliance staff through a structured curriculum designed to strengthen their policy fluency, legislative skills, and professional networks. The Fellowship’s end is marked with a celebration of those who complete the requirements.

For more information about the Alliance’s BLC Congressional Fellowship or to sign up for program updates, visit allhealthpolicy.org/fellowship. This program is made possible by generous support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

About the Bipartisan Learning Communities (BLC) Congressional Fellowship

The BLC Congressional Fellowship is a first-of-its-kind, nonpartisan leadership and professional development program offered by the Alliance for Health Policy for early- to mid-career congressional staff. Developed in collaboration with senior Hill leaders and national education experts, the 10-month fellowship equips participants with foundational health policy knowledge, Hill-relevant skills, and a stronger understanding of the legislative process.

About the Alliance for Health Policy

The Alliance for Health Policy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the understanding of health policy issues. Through educational events and resources, the Alliance informs policymakers, the media, and the public about health policy issues and promotes evidence-based solutions.

For media inquiries related to this announcement, please contact Carolyn Sobczyk at csobczyk@allhealthpolicy.org.