For many in Washington’s healthcare policy circles, Tom Koutsoumpas is a familiar name—an architect of Medicare’s hospice benefit, a leading voice in mental health reform, and a trusted advisor to both Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
But to Greek audiences, his story is not just about political influence—it is about the son of immigrants who built a career that has shaped the way millions of Americans receive healthcare.
Sitting in his bright, glass-walled office in downtown Washington, D.C., Koutsoumpas holds a klitsa—a shepherd’s cane from Boeotia, Greece, where his family traces its roots. A gift from a distant relative, it is a symbol of an enduring connection to his heritage, even as his work has left a lasting mark on U.S. healthcare policy.
A Greek American Journey
Koutsoumpas’ family story is one of resilience and ambition, shaped by his grandfather’s arrival in the United States in 1918. Like many Greek immigrants, his family came through Ellis Island with little more than their work ethic and a belief in the promise of America.
Settling first in Illinois and later in St. Louis, his grandfather established a small restaurant—Tom’s Cafe—a nod to the name that would persist across generations. Though he never learned to speak Greek fluently, his connection to his heritage was never in question. “They made sure we always knew where we came from.”
Growing Up in Washington’s Political Scene
The family’s move to Washington, D.C., changed everything. His father, recruited by Senator Birch Bayh, became a fixture in the U.S. Capitol, running its food services for 37 years. Koutsoumpas, still a teenager, found himself surrounded by senators, staffers, and the daily mechanics of policymaking. “I practically grew up in the Capitol,” he recalls.
His immersion in politics was inevitable. While attending high school, he took a job working for Senator Bayh, marking the start of a long career in public policy. His mother, too, played a role in shaping his trajectory—working for Senator Robert F. Kennedy and introducing her son to a family that would profoundly influence his life.
A Friendship Forged in Camelot
For Koutsoumpas, the Kennedys were not just a political dynasty but an extension of his own family. Through his mother’s work, he forged close friendships with Bobby Kennedy’s children—relationships that deepened after the senator’s assassination. “I was like an older brother to them,” he says. “I taught them how to drive, took them on school visits. We were inseparable.”
His connection with the family continued into adulthood. When Koutsoumpas got married, Bobby Kennedy’s children, Chris and Max, were his best men. “They kidnapped me on my wedding day,” he recalls. “They decided they weren’t ready to let me go, so instead of taking me to the church, they drove in the opposite direction. I nearly missed my own wedding.”
Beyond the personal bonds, Koutsoumpas worked closely with Patrick Kennedy on healthcare policy. Their shared passion for mental health reform turned into a professional collaboration. “Patrick has been a leading advocate for mental health, and we both believed the system needed major changes,” he says. “He eventually joined my firm as a business partner, and we’ve worked together ever since.”
Over the years, Koutsoumpas has also maintained a strong friendship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now serving as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Their conversations have often revolved around the state of healthcare in America, particularly in the areas of chronic illness and environmental health concerns.
According to Koutsoumpas, Kennedy’s focus on food safety and the impact of environmental toxins on public health has been central to his policy discussions. “I think people misunderstood his initial concern around vaccines,” Koutsoumpas clarifies. “What he told me and what I believe he really wants is for people to know what’s in them, to have transparency in healthcare and public health decisions.”
His admiration for the Kennedy family’s commitment to public service remains evident. “They were the most well-known family in America, but to me, they were just my friends,” he says.
Shaping American Healthcare
Koutsoumpas’ true impact has been in the realm of healthcare policy. His work on Medicare’s hospice benefit, developed alongside Senator Robert J. Dole, changed the way America approaches end-of-life care. “Without him, we wouldn’t have it,” he says, pointing to a framed photo of himself with Dole.
As a founder of the National Partnership for Hospice Innovation and the CEO of Healthsperien, a healthcare policy consulting firm, Koutsoumpas has pushed for reforms that emphasize patient-centered care, particularly for those with chronic illnesses and terminal conditions.
In 2014, The Wall Street Journal profiled him in an article titled “Tom Koutsoumpas Wants to Ease the Ordeal of Dying,” recognizing his efforts to shift the national conversation on hospice and palliative care.
In his office, a framed picture of Hillary Clinton with his young children stands as a reminder of the battles fought in healthcare policy. “My managing partner, Andrew MacPherson, was serving as Hillary Clinton’s aide during the healthcare reform,” Koutsoumpas notes, gesturing toward the image.
In a nearby office, MacPherson holds an original version of Clinton’s 2007 healthcare plan. He speaks about it with a mix of pride and frustration, recalling the bruising 2008 Democratic primary. “The Obama team basically copied our plan,” he lamented.
A Legacy That Bridges Two Worlds
Two years ago, Tom Koutsoumpas met Vasilis Koutsoumpas, a young professional who had recently arrived in Washington from Livadia, Boeotia, Greece. Their shared surname sparked a deeper conversation, leading to an unexpected discovery—they were distant relatives.
During a visit to the U.S., Vasilis’s parents brought a gift from Boeotia: a Greek shepherd’s cane, known as klitsa. His father, Andreas Koutsoumpas, a former member of the Greek Parliament, presented it as a symbol of family and heritage.
A month later, Tom’s children traveled to Greece for the first time. In Athens, they received a private tour of the Greek Parliament—led by Andreas Koutsoumpas himself.
Decades after their grandfather had walked the halls of the U.S. Capitol, a new generation of Koutsoumpas stood in another seat of democracy, learning about their heritage from a man whose own lineage was intertwined with theirs.
As Tom reflects, he grips the shepherd’s cane, the weight of history—both American and Greek—resting in his palm. “It all started with a small restaurant in Illinois. And somehow, it led here.”
