Raymond James hires healthcare policy research analyst Chris Meekins

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Raymond James has hired Chris Meekins as its first healthcare policy research analyst. Based in Washington, D.C., Meekins will focus his research on key regulatory and policy issues impacting the healthcare sector. Meekins has over seven years of experience working in Congress, most recently at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

“During his career, Chris has developed broad and deep knowledge of our healthcare system and understands how to connect the dots between policy, business fundamentals and equity values,” said Brian Alexander, director of Equity Research. “His expertise will enhance the firm’s highly regarded healthcare research reputation and further enable our analysts to deliver differentiated investment ideas to our retail and institutional clients.

“While Chris will reside within our Equity Research department, his work will benefit the entire firm, including our Private Client Group, Fixed Income and Public Finance teams. His experience on Capitol Hill and most recently in the current administration will be invaluable as we guide our clients through the changing healthcare policy and pharmaceutical regulatory environments,” added Alexander.

Prior to joining Raymond James, Meekins served as a deputy assistant secretary and chief of staff to the assistant secretary for preparedness and response within the Office of the Secretary at HHS. Before joining HHS in 2017, Meekins spent time as a research analyst at FBR Capital Markets & Co., covering healthcare policy. In that role, he advised institutional investors on the impact of policy changes to their portfolio investments.

Meekins has published research in a number of areas, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process, drug pricing and the Affordable Care Act. Additionally, he provided insight into the intersection of national security and the pharmaceutical industry through the development of bio-defense capabilities. His numerous appearances in multiple media outlets helped shape market opinions on these issues.

Before joining FBR, Meekins worked on Capitol Hill for over four years, where he served as both a senior health policy advisor and chief of staff to Rep. Andy Harris, M.D., of Maryland. During that time, Meekins helped pass reforms to the National Institutes of Health in the 21st Century Cures Act, expand access to organs for transplantation, improve Medicare payments for physicians and increase transparency at the FDA.

Prior to Capitol Hill, Meekins worked at the American Society of Anesthesiologists in a governmental and political outreach role.

“I am looking forward to once again helping clients with the interpretation and analysis of healthcare policies along with their impact on portfolio investments,” said Meekins. “My experiences at the Department of Health and Human Services, in Congress and in the private sector have provided invaluable lessons in understanding the health policy landscape, and will, I believe, benefit our clients.”

About Raymond James Financial, Inc.
Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE: RJF) is a leading diversified financial services company providing private client group, capital markets, asset management, banking and other services to individuals, corporations and municipalities. The company has approximately 7,800 financial advisors throughout the United States, Canada and overseas. Total client assets are $764 billion. Public since 1983, the firm is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RJF. Additional information is available at www.raymondjames.com. Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC.