Photo courtesy of Phil Roeder.

(06/20/2012) — With the Supreme Court of the United States expected to issue its ruling soon on the Affordable Care Act, experts from the University of Minnesota are available to discuss various aspects of the case and its potential impact.
 

EXPERTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ACADEMIC HEALTH CENTER
Contacts: Laurel Herold, Academic Health Center, hero0045@umn.edu, (612) 624-2449
Matt DePoint, Academic Health Center, mdepoint@umn.edu, (612) 625-4110

Health Policy and Health Reform

Jean Abraham, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, School of Public Health, Division of Health Policy & Management
A 2008-2009 senior economist on health issues with the President’s Council of Economic Advisors, health economics and national health reform expert, Abraham studies access and cost issues related to employer-based health insurance for workers and families. Her current research interests include household decision-making with respect to employer-based health insurance, welfare analysis of health care choice, and employer health benefit design. Abraham is also well versed in various national health reform initiatives.

To see a video of Abraham discussing the Affordable Care Act click here.

Lynn Blewett, Ph.D.
Professor, School of Public Health, Division of Health Policy & Management
Blewett is principal investigator of the State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC), which supports state efforts to monitor and evaluate programs to increase health insurance coverage, and the use of data to inform health policy.

To see a video of Blewett discussing the Affordable Care Act click here.

Mary Chesney, Ph.D., R.N., C.N.P
Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, Director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
Chesney serves on several nursing boards along with a health care quality transformation think-tank and is an expert in Minnesota healthcare. She teaches public policy, nursing and health care leadership, pediatric primary care, care of children and youth with special health care needs, APRN roles and issues.

Health Reform’s Impact on Medical Education

Aaron Friedman, M.D.
Vice President for Health Sciences and Dean, University of Minnesota Medical School
An accomplished researcher and clinician, Friedman was appointed vice president for health sciences and dean of the Medical School in January 2011. In his role he is directly involved with all medical and health education initiatives across the University of Minnesota’s health sciences programs. He is also directly involved in the University’s clinical and medical training efforts.

Mac Baird, M.D.
Professor, Medical School, Family Medicine and Community Health
Baird is the head of the University of Minnesota Department of Family Medicine and Community Health and an expert in the integration of behavioral medicine into primary care, population-based health and family therapy.
 

Health Reform’s Impact on Reducing Health Disparities

Kathleen T. Call, Ph.D.
Professor, School of Public Health, Health Policy & Management
An investigator at SHADAC, Call researchers the access to health insurance coverage and health care services among vulnerable populations such as low-income, young, elderly, racial and ethnic communities.

Health Reform’s Impact on Rural Health Care

Ira S. Moscovice, Ph.D.
Professor, School of Public Health, Division Head: Health Policy & Management
As the director of the Rural Health Research Center, Moscovice has research interests in rural health care and the impact of health policy on disadvantaged populations. 

EXPERTS FROM ACROSS THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
Contacts: Patty Mattern, University News Service, mattern@umn.edu, (612) 624-2801
Matt Hodson, University News Service, mjhodson@umn.edu, (612) 625-0552

Health Reform’s Impact on Federal Taxation and Employee Benefits

Amy B. Monahan, J.D.
Associate Professor, Law School, Opperman Research Fellow
Monahan’s current research interests include employer-provided health care, health insurance regulation and both public and private retirement plans.

Constitutional Issues and the Coalitions Formed for the Health Reform Decision

Timothy Johnson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Morse Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor of Political Science in the College of Liberal Arts, Political Science
Johnson's research and teaching interests include American Politics, judicial politics, Supreme Court decision-making, Supreme Court oral arguments, executive/judiciary relations and the evolution of the norm of respecting precedent.

Health Reform’s Impact on Health Care Costs and Insurance Coverage

Stephen Parente, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.S.
Professor, Carlson School of Management, Director: Medical Industry Leadership Institute
The Minnesota Insurance Industry Chair of Health Finance, Parente can speak about how this decision will impact the immediate and long-term levels of health care costs and insurance coverage.

Constitutional Issues Surrounding the Health Reform Case

Dale Carpenter, J.D.
Professor, Law School, Earl R. Larson Professor of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Law
Carpenter can speak about the constitutional issues surrounding the case. He teaches and writes in the areas of constitutional law, the First Amendment and sexual orientation and the law.

The Case Leading up to the Ruling and the Impact of the Ruling

Daniel Schwarcz, J.D.
Associate Professor, Law School
Schwarcz’s research focuses on consumer protection and regulation in property/casualty and health insurance markets. He teaches insurance law, health care regulation and finance, contract law and commercial law.

Health Care Policy and Reform

Lawrence R. Jacobs, Ph.D.
Professor, Walter F. and Joan Mondale Chair for Political Studies and Director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance in the Hubert H. Humphrey School and the Department of Political Science
Jacobs’ research examines political representation – the nature and formation of public opinion, whether and how government responds to the public’s policy preferences and other evaluations, and the adaptation of government policy to the changing conditions and circumstances facing Americans. Among other topics, he has investigated policy making by American presidents and the impacts of institutional and political forces on their decisions; and the formulation and development of health care policy in the United States and other countries.