Merrill Friedman BA

Merrill Friedman leads the Disability Policy Engagement team and advocacy strategy for Anthem, a leading health benefits company serving nearly 71 million people nationwide through its affiliates. She works collaboratively with consumers, advocates and stakeholders to ensure the diverse interests and preferences of older adults, individuals with disabilities, and children, adolescents and young adults involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice programs inform Anthem’s health benefits approaches and health care programs.

Ms. Friedman also advances the integration of the independent living philosophy, principles of self-determination and the National Advisory Board (NAB) on Improving Health Care Services for Older Adults and People with Disabilities’ six foundational principles throughout these programs, as well as Anthem’s member interactions and business practices.

In addition, she leads strategic partnerships with national and local organizations to advance the development of inclusive public policy. Previously, Ms. Friedman was interim director at a nonprofit foster care agency serving at-risk children and adolescents who experienced severe neglect and physical abuse. She also served as president and chief executive officer of a private organization that owned and operated residential treatment facilities, group homes and home and community based services in several states for adolescents with mental health, substance use disorders and/or intellectual disabilities.