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Nancy Johnson

After serving 24 years in the U.S. Congress, Nancy Johnson joined the firm of Baker Donelson in Washington, D.C. as a Senior Public Policy Advisor.  She served 18 years on the House Ways and Means Committee and played an integral role in the passage of every major tax, trade and health care initiative during years of rapid technological and political change and the globalization of the economy. Ms. Johnson is widely recognized for her acumen and sound analyses of healthcare, tax and trade policies. 

Ms. Johnson's legislative record is a testament to her strategic expertise and ability to build coalitions. She has been recognized frequently for her leadership on such disparate issues as manufacturing, health policy, fair tax and trade policy, child and family issues and the environment.

Ms. Johnson is an authority on health policy. As a member and then Chairwoman of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, she introduced the national Children's Health Insurance Program and was a principal author of the Medicare Modernization Act. Her many years of service have given her a deep knowledge of the health care delivery system, including the need for systems change, quality measurement and payment reform to improve quality and efficiency.

She introduced the health information technology legislation that led to the establishment of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (HIT) and continues to fight for broad adoption of HIT to reduce medical errors and improve care quality. 

As the Chairwoman of the House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee, Ms. Johnson authored a series of taxpayer rights bills that provided protections for individuals and small businesses and passed legislation to implement the recommendations of the commission to reorganize the IRS to modernize consumer services and enhance agency accountability.

Having served on the Ways and Means Committee when major changes in tax law were adopted under both Democratic and Republican leaderships, she is helps clients to understand and influence the significant changes to tax policy that are on the congressional agenda. In the past, in support of manufacturing and small business, Ms. Johnson focused on tax incentives for investment and authored the alternative research and development credit, as well as other provisions to improve U.S. competitiveness and stimulate growth.

Ms. Johnson also worked for passage of trade negotiating authority, agreements expanding market access and laws strengthening enforcement of intellectual property rights, anti-dumping and other fair trade initiatives. In addition, throughout her service on the Ways and Means Committee, she led many reforms of our pension laws, created the Simple Plan for small businesses, helped pass numerous tax incentives to encourage personal savings and co-led passage of the landmark Portman-Cardin reform.

Ms. Johnson is a graduate of Radcliff College, Harvard University; attended the University of London, Courtauld Institute; and has received several honorary doctorates.

Current Board Memberships

  • John Marshal Law School - Board of Trustees
  • Magellan Health Services - Board of Directors
  • Pfizer U.S. Health Advisory Board
  • The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation Board
  • Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation Board
  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - Health Policy Fellowship Advisory Board
  • E-Health Connecticut - Board of Directors
  • National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy - Board of Directors
  • Council for Women's Health Research at Yale
  • United States Naval Academy - Board of Visitors

Professional Honors & Activities

  • 2007 Fellow - Institute of Politics at Harvard University
  • 2007 Commissioner - National Commission for Quality Long-Term Care
  • 2006 Artic Refuge Congressional Champion Award - Audubon Society
  • 2006 Leadership Award - eHEALTH Connecticut
  • 2006 Patience and Tenacity in Support of Homecare - Visiting Nurses Association
  • 2005 Edgar Wayburn Award - Sierra Club
  • 2005 Legislator of the Year Award - The American College of Physicians
  • 2004 Hero of the Taxpayer Award - Americans for Tax Reform
  • 2004 Manufacturing Advocate - Special Merit Award - CONNSTEP (The Connecticut State Technology Extension Program)
  • 2003 Alfred B. Lewis President's Award - Disease Management Association
  • 2003 R.J. Corletta Award for Achievement in Affordable Housing
  • 2002 The Mary Eliza Mahoney Award - National Minority Health Month Foundation
  • 2002 Circle of Excellence Award - The Latino Coalition
  • 2000 Government Leadership Award - Americans for the Arts
  • 1998 Outstanding Woman in International Trade - Association of Women in International Trade
  • 1996 Outstanding Service Award - Community Action Agencies and Head Start
  • 1994 Dr. Nathan Davis Award - Outstanding Public Service - American Medical Association
  • Spirit of Enterprise - National Chamber of Commerce Awards
  • Guardian of Small Business Awards - National Federation of Independent Business

Education

  • Baypath College, Honorary Degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, 1999
  • University of New Haven, Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, 1995
  • University of Hartford, Doctor of Laws, 1989
  • University of Bridgeport, Honorary Degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, 1985
  • University of London, Courtauld Institute, 1958
  • Radcliffe College, Harvard University, B.A., 1957