Yvette Fontenot is a Partner at the DC boutique government relations firm, Avenue Solutions.  Prior to joining Avenue Solutions, Yvette served as the Deputy Director of the Office of Health Reform at the Department of Health and Human Services.  The office is charged with developing policy and coordinating and clearing all matters related to the Affordable Care Act and providing outreach to Congress and other stakeholders with interests in health care reform.

Prior to joining HHS, Yvette was a Senior Policy Director in the White House Office of Health Reform.  At the White House, Yvette was responsible for coordinating the Administration’s work on implementation of the Affordable Care Act.  She also briefed and advised senior White House officials about aspects of the legislation and implementation efforts.

Before working at the White House, Yvette was Professional Staff with the Senate Finance Committee.  Yvette had principle responsibility for provisions of the Affordable Care Act such as individual and employer responsibility requirements, tax credits for the purchase of health coverage, health insurance exchanges, health insurance rating reform, and consumer protection proposals. 

Prior to joining the Senate Finance Committee, Yvette served as Professional Staff for the House Committee on Energy and Commerce in the U.S. House of Representatives for Congressman John D. Dingell from Michigan.  In her capacity, Yvette worked to develop, analyze and pursue legislation affecting Medicare, Medicaid, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and health information technology and privacy.

Yvette also served as the Vice President at Jennings Policy Strategies, Inc. Prior to joining Jennings Policy Strategies, Yvette served as Senior Legislative Advisor for Health Policy for Senator John D. Rockefeller, the Ranking member of the Health Subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee.  Prior to her position with Senator Rockefeller, Yvette worked for the Office of Management and Budget.  In her capacity she developed, analyzed, and estimated the budgetary and programmatic impacts of different Medicare policies with a focus on physicians, prescription drugs and hospital outpatient departments.  

Yvette received her Master’s degree from the University of Chicago and her Bachelor’s degree from Duke University.