Claire Ernst, JD As an Associate Director of Government Affairs, Claire represents MGMA in Washington DC on a variety of legislative and regulatory issues important to MGMA members. In this role, she helps inform policy makers of the important role group medical practices have in the healthcare system. Before joining MGMA, Claire was the Manager of Government and Regulatory Affairs at HIDA, the national trade association for medical-surgical distributors. In her role there, Claire developed and maintained the association's regulatory portfolio through Congressional and agency advocacy. Claire earned a law degree from Suffolk University Law School and a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology from Franklin & Marshall College.