Rodney Whitlock

Managing Director, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies

Recent Publication:

Rodney Whitlock Quoted in WUSF on Midterms and Federal Health Policy

Rodney Whitlock, managing director of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ federal health policy practice, was quoted in a WUSF article, “Democrats’ national election rout is poised to dramatically reorder federal health policy,” examining how the midterm elections could reshape federal health policy.

Rodney is an accomplished health care adviser with more than two decades on Capitol Hill, where he specialized in rural health, the health care safety net, and disability policy.

With more than 30 years of experience, Rodney offers clients knowledge and insight uniquely informed by his experience drafting and advancing legislation. He strategically guides clients through complex Medicare and Medicaid issues with significant business implications.

While working in Congress, Rodney served as former U.S. Representative Charlie Norwood’s (R-GA) health policy director, where he managed the Patients’ Bill of Rights (S.1890), among other notable health policy matters. He later joined U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), first serving as a health policy adviser to then-Senate Finance Committee Chairman Grassley, and ultimately joined the senator’s personal office as health policy director. From 2005 to 2010, he served as the lead Republican staffer for Medicaid legislation and continued advising Senator Grassley on all health-related issues through 2015. During his Senate tenure, he helped staff Republicans on major legislation, including the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2007 and 2009, and Affordable Care Act of 2010.

For the last 25 years, Rodney has served as an adjunct faculty member at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health’s Department of Health Policy and Management and the Graduate School of Political Management’s Department of Legislative Affairs. Hundreds of students have taken his courses and have gone on to pursue careers in Washington, D.C.

Rodney earned his Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Georgia, Master of Arts from Appalachian State University, and Bachelor of Arts from Roanoke College.

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Experience

News

Rodney Whitlock Quoted in The Hill on Aging Lawmakers

September 15, 2026

Rodney Whitlock, managing director of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ health policy practice, was quoted in The Hill article, “McConnell’s return shines spotlight on older lawmakers.”

Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies Deepens Federal Health Policy Bench, Adding Four Lobbyists

September 01, 2026

Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies, the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O'Connor, today announced the addition of Rodney Whitlock, Debbie Curtis, Katie Waldo, and Maddie News to the firm's federal health policy practice in Washington, D.C.

Publications

Rodney Whitlock Quoted in WUSF on Midterms and Federal Health Policy

November 09, 2026

Rodney Whitlock, managing director of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ federal health policy practice, was quoted in a WUSF article, “Democrats’ national election rout is poised to dramatically reorder federal health policy,” examining how the midterm elections could reshape federal health policy.

Rodney Whitlock Joins Harvard Chan Panel on Public Health and the Midterms

October 20, 2026

Rodney Whitlock, managing director of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ federal health policy practice, joined fellow health policy experts for a panel discussion at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Events & Seminars

Upcoming Events

The Votes Are In: What’s Next for Health Policy?

November 10, 2026 - Webinar

Please join Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ Alexandra Campau, Debbie Curtis, Rodney Whitlock, and Rick Van Buren for a discussion moderated by Katie Waldo on the midterm election results and the federal health policy outlook.

Health Care & Life Sciences 2027

December 02, 2026 - Philadelphia, PA

Cozen O’Connor will present an annual in-person seminar featuring updates on the legal, regulatory, and business issues affecting the health care and life sciences sectors.

Education

  • University of Georgia, Ph.D.
  • Appalachian State University, M.A.
  • Roanoke College, B.A.