AMA Vet Joins RILA as VP for Gov’t Relations

Christine Pollack has joined the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) as the organization’s VP for government relations, effective May 2. In her new role, Pollack will focus on health care policy and be one of RILA’s lead advocates on core retail industry priorities.

Pollack was previously assistant director, congressional affairs for the American Medical Association (AMA), in which capacity she was heavily involved in the health care reform debate. Before joining the AMA in 2007, Pollack was legislative director for Rep. Clay Shaw (R-Fla.), overseeing heath care, tax and social security policy for the senior member of the Ways and Means Committee. Earlier in her career, Pollack was a health insurance specialist with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and senior legislative assistant for Rep. Jim Nussle (R-Iowa).

“Christine’s legislative skill and advocacy experience will add to our already strong government affairs team,” said Katherine Lugar, EVP for public affairs at Arlington, Va.-based RILA. “Her deep understanding of health care policy will be a valuable asset as the retail industry works to address the challenges ahead.”

Aware that with 14 million U.S. retail jobs, workforce issues can have a huge impact on the retail industry, RILA played a prominent role in the health care reform debate, working with both Democrats and Republicans on changes that would be beneficial to its membership. RILA successfully led the effort to ensure industries with high turnover and large numbers of seasonal and part-time workers, including retail, could continue to provide quality, affordable health care to employees.