He has co-founded think tanks, organizations, and grassroots coalitions, including the Economic Policy Institute, Campaign for America’s Future, and Americans United to Protect Social Security.

[2] As Media Director, he developed advertising campaigns for environmental groups, peace and disarmament organizations, labor unions, women's and minority education, and other public interest issues.

[5] The Public Media Center won the first FCC Fairness Doctrine ruling requiring broadcasters to provide free air time for antinuclear TV spots in response to pro-nuclear utility advertising.

[13][14] Working with Yale political scientist Jacob Hacker, Hickey helped promote the public option, a policy that was endorsed by candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

[17] Hickey has appeared on television and radio,[18] and has written for a number of publications including The New York Times,[19] The American Prospect,[20] AlterNet, Common Dreams,[21] HuffPost,[2] The Nation,[22] and Truthout.