Nina Owcharenko is a Senior Policy Analyst for health care at The Heritage Foundation's Center for Health Policy Studies.

In this position, Owcharenko (pronounced oh-CHAH-renko) researches and writes on a variety of health-care policy issues, including the uninsured, Medicaid, and prescription drugs. She has presented before numerous national, states and professional conferences, and has been published in noted publications, such as Health Affairs. She has also been a guest on dozens of radio and television programs advocating her opinions and policies.

In 2008, Owcharenko's work on health care issues, especially on the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), earned her Heritage's prestigious Drs. W. Glenn and Rita Ricardo Campbell Award. The award is given to the employee who has delivered "an outstanding contribution to the analysis and promotion of a Free Society."

Owcharenko served for nearly a decade on Capitol Hill focusing on health-care issues. Before coming to Heritage in 2001, Owcharenko served as the Legislative Director for Rep. Jim DeMint (R-SC), and Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC). She started her Hill career working for Sen. Jesse Helms (R-NC).

Owcharenko received her bachelor's degree in political science from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1994. Originally from Charlotte, N.C., Owcharenko now lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband and son.