Gaby Jara Benitez is a Health Care Project Policy Analyst at the National Health Law Program (NHeLP), where she works to advance equitable access to health care for low-income communities. Gaby’s work is grounded in both her professional experience and her lived experience as an immigrant.

She is driven by a commitment to closing the gap between what policies promise and how they are experienced by the people who rely on them, with a particular focus on making complex systems more accessible and responsive to communities of color. Her policy expertise expands Medicaid, children’s health, and immigrant eligibility with a focus on how federal and state policy decisions shape access to care.

Before joining NHeLP, Gaby worked at UnidosUS, where she supported federal and state advocacy on health coverage, food assistance, and immigrant eligibility for public programs. She translated federal policy changes into practical guidance for advocates and policymakers and worked with state partners to expand health coverage and address uninsurance among Latino communities. Previously, Gaby worked at The Children’s Partnership, where she focused on Medi-Cal and children’s health in California. She worked closely with community-based organizations and state partners to identify and address barriers to coverage, including during major coverage transitions.

She holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of California, Irvine, where she also earned her bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Criminology, Law, and Society.
In her free time, Gaby enjoys practicing piano, writing free verse poetry, and spending time with her family, especially reading and going on walks with her son.