Heritage Foundation Leadership for America

Dennis G. Smith is the Senior Fellow in Health Care Reform at The Heritage Foundation's Center for Health Policy Studies, where he researches ways to improve the Medicaid program, the future of long-term care and state health care reform initiatives.

Before joining Heritage in May 2008, Smith was the former director of the federal Center for Medicaid and State Operations. He had been in charge of Medicaid – a health program for poor people that is managed by the states and funded jointly by the states and federal government – for nearly seven years. In this position, he directed a staff of more than 400 people and supervised more than $350 billion in federal programs, including the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP).

Prior to joining the Health and Human Services Department, Smith was Director of Virginia's Department of Medical Assistance Services, and served in a variety of positions on Capitol Hill, including: health and welfare analyst at the Senate Finance Committee; legislative assistant to Sen. William Roth, R-Del.; and professional staff member of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee.

In the 1980s, he held positions at the National Forum Foundation, the California Department of Developmental Services and state Health and Welfare Agency.

Smith received a master's degree in public administration from George Mason University in 1990. In 1978, he earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Illinois State University. He lives in Springfield, Va.