BEN POPKIN, JD, MPH
Attorney & Policy Consultant
Ben Popkin is an accomplished health care attorney and registered lobbyist with a career built at the intersection of law, policy, and government. Drawing on years of service in the North Carolina General Assembly, Department of Insurance, Department of Public Safety, and Department of Health and Human Services, Ben brings a rare insider’s understanding of how laws, regulations, and politics actually work in practice. He helps clients navigate complex statutory and regulatory frameworks with clear, actionable advice rather than abstract theory.
Ben has served as healthcare attorney, senior health policy counsel, and director of government affairs, leading analysis and implementation of major federal and state health reforms, including the Affordable Care Act. He has directed multi-million-dollar grant initiatives, overseen rulemaking, and drafted key legislation and regulations affecting health insurance coverage, public health, and consumer protections. This blend of legal, policy, and operational experience allows him to anticipate challenges and design strategies that work both legally and politically.
As principal of Popkin Strategies and owner of his own law practice, Ben advises clients across the health, insurance, regulatory, and legislative arenas. His work ranges from serving as general counsel to a clinically integrated network of Medicaid physicians to supporting nonprofit organizations that represent high‑risk mothers and children, long‑term care residents, and rural and oral health interests. Whether the client is a provider network, advocacy group, or public agency, Ben focuses on practical solutions that advance mission and manage risk.
Clients and policymakers alike value Ben’s reputation for fairness, discretion, and the ability to explain complex, politically sensitive issues in plain language. He is known for building consensus among stakeholders with very different interests and for maintaining strong relationships with leadership in the Governor’s Office, General Assembly, and key state agencies. Combining legal rigor with a collaborative style, Ben offers the kind of trusted counsel that helps clients be heard and effective in North Carolina’s evolving health policy landscape.
biography
Benjamin Popkin, JD, MPH, offers government affairs services to stakeholders in the health, insurance and legislative affairs areas through his consulting company, Popkin Strategies, LLC. He is owner of The Law Office of Maurice B. Popkin, Esquire, PLLC, through which he provides legal services as appropriate to the needs of his clients, including contract law, regulatory and administrative law.
Before leaving public service as a career State employee, Ben served as Assistant Secretary for Legislation for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and was legislative counsel and the director of the Department’s Office of Government Affairs.
Before joining DHHS, Ben served as the director of Government Affairs and legislative counsel to NC Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin at the Department of Insurance (DOI). Ben was project director for North Carolina’s ACA Planning and Establishment Cooperative Agreement-funded activities, managing approximately $90 million in funds and coordinating the Department’s Affordable Care Act activities.
Prior to joining DOI, Ben was a staff attorney at the North Carolina General Assembly in both the Legislative Drafting and Research Divisions where he was responsible for drafting and analysis of health and insurance legislation, was staff attorney for the General Assembly’s standing health and insurance committees and all related study committees, and was named staff vice chair to the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Standing Committee on Health.
Ben has a master’s degree of public health in health policy and administration from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Public Health, a juris doctorate degree from UNC-Chapel Hill School of Law, and a bachelor’s degree in international studies from UNC-Chapel Hill.
TRUSTED. INFORMED. CONNECTED. EFFECTIVE.
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Phone: +1 919 219 8221
Email: ben@popkinstrategies.com