Clifford E. Barnes

As the nation’s aging population drives the demand for patient-centered and value-based health care, attorney Clifford Barnes is advising post-acute health care providers, other providers, and Medicaid managed care companies on meeting the need.

Cliff has practiced health care law since its inception; his big-picture and practical insights add value to clients’ innovations, from product inception to rollout to ongoing operation.

Clients rely on his guidance in acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures, and related regulatory compliance as they expand access to care and their businesses. The transformation of hospices, home health care, palliative services, and nursing homes comes with new risks. Cliff is identifying—and mitigating—the exposure clients face, guiding them through organizational restructures and negotiating strategic partnerships and agreements with programs. Cliff is also advising clients on health equity and value-based issues and agreements. Boards of directors and company leaders value his business practicality and embrace of good opportunities. Startup companies also rely on Cliff’s bootstrap-friendly, outside general counsel advice to bring their products and services to market. In addition, Cliff’s work includes advising clients on the following: state regulatory issues for licensing and Certificate of Need, Medicaid Managed Care contracting, and Medicaid suspensions.

Cliff’s former service as an executive assistant to the Commissioner of Health in the New York City Health Department spurred his interest in health care law and underserved communities. A co-founder of the Medicaid Health Plans of America, Inc., Cliff is focusing his industry leadership on the intersection of Medicaid and managed care with expansion of health equity by members of the national trade association. Cliff shares clients’ commitment to the public and the creation of systemic solutions to health care challenges.

Cliff earned a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and an M.B.A. in Hospital Administration from Cornell University. In 2023, Cliff completed funding of the “Clifford E. Barnes '74 Scholarship in Health Leadership” at Cornell University to provide professional scholarship support for students enrolled in the Cornell Sloan Program in Health Administration.

Education

• University of Virginia School of Law (J.D.)
  • Editorial Board, Journal of Natural Resources Law
• Cornell University (M.B.A.)
  • Hospital Administration
• Pace University (B.B.A.)

Board of Directors

• CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Medicaid Health Plans of America, Inc.
• National Association of Health Services Executives

Professional & Community Involvement

• American Bar Association
• American Health Law Association:
  • Fellows Coordinating Council, Chair (2025 to 2028), Member (2021 to 2023)
  • Fellow (2020 to Present)
  • Accountable Care Organization Task Force, Vice Chair (2015)
• American Society of Association Executives
• District of Columbia Bar Association
• National Bar Association
• Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity Epsilon Boule'

Past Events