by Jake Lowary
Stacie Dusetzina, PhD, associate professor of Health Policy and Ingram Associate Professor of Cancer Research at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, has been appointed to a three-year term on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC).
MedPAC is an influential advisory body that falls under the federal Government Accountability Office. The 17 members collectively advise Congress on issues affecting the Medicare program, including issues related to access to care, quality of care, and other pressing issues affecting Medicare and its beneficiaries.
“It is an honor to be selected for this role and I’m absolutely thrilled to be serving as a commissioner. I am looking forward to contributing my expertise related to prescription drug policy to the commission and to working with this outstanding group of health policy experts.”
Dusetzina brings to the commission a track record of policy-relevant research and analysis related to drug pricing and coverage for Medicare beneficiaries, which has become a prominent policy topic on Capitol Hill.
Dusetzina has authored or co-authored more than 150 peer-reviewed articles contributing to the areas of health insurance coverage for and affordability of prescription medicines. Her work has provided important findings relevant to health care leaders, policy makers, clinicians, and patients. She has also contributed to the President’s Cancer Panel’s recommendations on Access to Cancer Drugs and to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s report on Ensuring Patient Access to Affordable Drugs.
“I have been grateful to receive opportunities to contribute to national policy discussions through my academic work,” Dusetzina said. “It is a highlight of my career to be selected to take on this important role to help to improve the Medicare benefit for patients.”
“Congress turns to MedPAC for insights and recommendations on Medicare policy issues,” said Gene Dodaro, comptroller general of the U.S. and head of GAO. “I want to thank the many highly qualified candidates who expressed an interest in serving on the commission this year. Today’s appointees bring impressive professional qualifications and experiences to the work of MedPAC.”
Also appointed to the commission is Lynn Barr, MPH, founder and executive chairwoman of Caravan Health in Kansas City, Missouri.
Reappointed members, whose terms will also expire in April 2024, are Marjorie Ginsburg, MPH, founding executive director of the Center for Healthcare Decisions Inc. in Sacramento, California; Jonathan Jaffery, MD, professor of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health; Jonathan Perlin, MD, PhD, president of Clinical Services and chief medical officer of HCA in Nashville; and Jaewon Ryu, MD, president and chief executive officer for Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pennsylvania.
