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Across the 12 states we serve, our dedicated Government Affairs (GA) team is on the ground building relationships, tracking high-impact policy and advocating for the needs of our members.
From state capitols to community conversations, this team brings deep government affairs expertise, local insight and a shared commitment to advancing the CareSource Mission.
Get to know the team driving this important work:
Patrick Stephan
VP, Government Affairs
Patrick has been with CareSource for 7 years, having spent the previous 8 years in the Kasich Administration in Ohio. He’s passionate about the intersection of politics and health care—and his enormous Leonberger dog named Doug.
Peter Eckrich
AVP, Federal Affairs
Peter has 15 years of experience in government affairs and health care policy, primarily at the federal level. Prior to joining CareSource, Peter worked on Capitol Hill focusing on a range of issues, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Individual Marketplace. He also served as Legislative Director for Health and Human Services at the National Governors Association, leading advocacy efforts to protect Medicaid. Peter also worked as an attorney at Alston & Bird's Public Policy practice representing clients from across the health care sector and most recently, as Senior Director for Government Affairs at Centene. Peter received his bachelor’s degree from the University of St. John's in Minnesota and his law degree from George Washington University in Washington DC.
Roxanne Richardson
AVP, State Government Affairs
Since joining CareSource in 2022, Roxanne Richardson has led multiple state markets and partnered with Business Development to drive growth in emerging markets. With over 20 years of expertise in Medicaid policy and state agency operations, she brings a deep understanding of complex government programs. Before CareSource, Roxanne served as Deputy Director of Managed Care at the Ohio Department of Medicaid. She lives in Delaware, Ohio, with her husband Chad, and enjoys running, reading suspense novels, and supporting her daughter in graduate school at Clemson and her son pursuing aviation at the University of Dubuque, Iowa.
Robert H. Glass
Senior Director, State Government Affairs - Indiana & Michigan
State Snapshot:
Did You Know?
Indiana is known as the “Mother of Vice Presidents,” producing six, including Mike Pence.
The Michigan State Capitol in Lansing features unique 475-million-year-old fossils in its marble floors.
Melissa Duffy
Senior Director, Government Affairs - Wisconsin & New York
State Snapshot:
Did You Know?
Wisconsin’s Capitol dome is the largest by volume in the U.S. and the only granite dome in the nation. The dome is topped by a 3-ton gilded figure of a woman named “Wisconsin” wearing a badger on her head.
A stuffed bald eagle named Old Abe stands guard in Wisconsin’s Assembly Chamber, honoring a Civil War-era eagle that survived 37 battles and became a symbol of resilience and inspiration to Union troops.
Jonathan (Jon) Fausey
Director, State Government Affairs - Ohio
State Snapshot:
Did You Know?
Abraham Lincoln actually visited the Ohio Statehouse in 1859, and after his assassination, his body lay in repose there on April 29, 1865, with about 50,000 Ohioans coming through to pay their respects.
Harrison Collins
Director, Government Affairs - Massachusetts
State Snapshot:
Did You Know?
Massachusetts’ State House dome—originally shingled—was later covered in copper by the company of Paul Revere and eventually gilded in real gold leaf in 1872.
Massachusetts has a lot of strange and historic history, including: a library book bound in human skin, a house made entirely of newspaper, and a lake with a 45-letter name. It is the birthplace of basketball, volleyball, Fig Newtons, and, notably, illegalizes putting tomatoes in clam chowder.
Nicole Waickman
Senior Director, Strategic Policy
Joined CareSource: January 2026.
Previously: Transitioned from Commonwealth Care Alliance and held a similar role at Point32Health for several years. Prior to that, worked at the Massachusetts Exchange.
Fun Fact: My family and I love travel—that includes more unique experiences, such as riding elephants in Thailand and taking a ski lift through a Panamanian rainforest.
Jessica Hamilton
Director, Federal Affairs
Joined CareSource: January 2026
Previously: Held roles at payer and provider organizations in Massachusetts, including Commonwealth Care Alliance, and also worked as a consultant at Avalere Health.
Fun fact: Once upon a time, she studied theology.
Travis Phillips
Director, Government Affairs - Mississippi, North Carolina & West Virginia
State Snapshot:
Did You Know?
Mari Nielsen
Director, State Government Affairs - Nevada
State Snapshot:
Did You Know?
Nevada was the first state to achieve a majority-female legislature in 2019, and women have made up 60 percent or more of Nevada's Legislature since.
Cory Cox
Director, Government Affairs - Arkansas
State Snapshot:
Did You Know?
Arkansas produces half of the U.S. rice supply, and Arkansans consume more catfish than any other state. It is also home to Wal-Mart, Johnny Cash, Billy Bob Thornton, and the only diamond mine in the world where the public can search for diamonds and keep what they find.
Gus Youmans
Director, Government Affairs - Georgia
State Snapshot:
Did You Know?
While the city of Atlanta has grown significantly in recent decades, Georgia’s biggest industry remains agriculture.
Despite being known for its peaches, they represent the smallest industry of the “three P’s” of Georgia agriculture: peaches, pecans, and peanuts. In fact, Georgia produces half the nation’s peanut crop.
Our Government Affairs team plays a critical role in shaping policy, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring the voices of our members are heard.
Learn how you can support this essential advocacy work by becoming a Member.
Want to stay up-to-date on what we’re doing now to save managed care?
Sign up here for our newsletters to stay engaged.
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