USC Schaeffer
@schaeffer.usc.edu
Home to the Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics and the Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service. Transforming policy through rigorous, independent research and close engagement with public and private sector leaders.
Benchmarking drug prices to inflation is misguided. Instead, we should ask if value is outpacing inflation, argues Schaeffer's William Padula in HA Forefront.
"Holding pharmaceutical innovation to the same metric we use for breakfast cereal is not fiscal prudence, it’s conceptual confusion.”
"Holding pharmaceutical innovation to the same metric we use for breakfast cereal is not fiscal prudence, it’s conceptual confusion.”
Health Affairs Journal
www.healthaffairs.org
December 22, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Benchmarking drug prices to inflation is misguided. Instead, we should ask if value is outpacing inflation, argues Schaeffer's William Padula in HA Forefront.
"Holding pharmaceutical innovation to the same metric we use for breakfast cereal is not fiscal prudence, it’s conceptual confusion.”
"Holding pharmaceutical innovation to the same metric we use for breakfast cereal is not fiscal prudence, it’s conceptual confusion.”
As pharmacy closures accelerate, states have a potential lifeline.
Designating vulnerable community pharmacies as “critical access” may be the most immediate way of protecting patient access, USC Schaeffer postdoctoral researcher Emily Gravlee writes in Health Affairs Forefront.
Designating vulnerable community pharmacies as “critical access” may be the most immediate way of protecting patient access, USC Schaeffer postdoctoral researcher Emily Gravlee writes in Health Affairs Forefront.
Critical Access Pharmacy Designations Could Strengthen Access | Health Affairs Forefront
Pharmacy closures are occurring at an alarming rate and threatening a large loss of access to essential healthcare in many United States (US) neighborhoods.
www.healthaffairs.org
December 19, 2025 at 6:56 PM
As pharmacy closures accelerate, states have a potential lifeline.
Designating vulnerable community pharmacies as “critical access” may be the most immediate way of protecting patient access, USC Schaeffer postdoctoral researcher Emily Gravlee writes in Health Affairs Forefront.
Designating vulnerable community pharmacies as “critical access” may be the most immediate way of protecting patient access, USC Schaeffer postdoctoral researcher Emily Gravlee writes in Health Affairs Forefront.
While cannabis may soon be considered a lower-risk drug, a USC Schaeffer white paper highlights growing evidence of health risks from heavy or long-term use.
The authors argue federal regulations are needed to protect consumers & promote responsible use.
The authors argue federal regulations are needed to protect consumers & promote responsible use.
Federal Regulations of Cannabis for Public Health in the United States - July 18, 2022 - USC Schaeffer
State-level cannabis regulations have weak public health parameters compared to other countries, leaving consumers vulnerable. - July 18, 2022
schaeffer.usc.edu
December 18, 2025 at 9:45 PM
While cannabis may soon be considered a lower-risk drug, a USC Schaeffer white paper highlights growing evidence of health risks from heavy or long-term use.
The authors argue federal regulations are needed to protect consumers & promote responsible use.
The authors argue federal regulations are needed to protect consumers & promote responsible use.
Even the most advanced medical technology means little if patients in need can’t access it, USC Schaeffer's Darius Lakdawalla told lawmakers last week.
Read his testimony on how forward-thinking regulatory reform can promote tech that makes good health more accessible & affordable.
Read his testimony on how forward-thinking regulatory reform can promote tech that makes good health more accessible & affordable.
Testimony on Accelerating Medical Breakthroughs for American Patients and Their Families - December 9, 2025 - USC Schaeffer
Rational and forward-thinking regulatory reforms can stimulate and enable the uptake of new medical technologies that make good health more accessible and affordable. - December 9, 2025
schaeffer.usc.edu
December 15, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Even the most advanced medical technology means little if patients in need can’t access it, USC Schaeffer's Darius Lakdawalla told lawmakers last week.
Read his testimony on how forward-thinking regulatory reform can promote tech that makes good health more accessible & affordable.
Read his testimony on how forward-thinking regulatory reform can promote tech that makes good health more accessible & affordable.
The projected growth in #Alzheimers could drive families & the US toward fiscal disaster, warn USC Schaeffer’s Joe Grogan & Ryan Long.
The good news: Policies that support prevention, early detection, and innovation today can add healthy years of life and protect budgets.
The good news: Policies that support prevention, early detection, and innovation today can add healthy years of life and protect budgets.
How America Can Defuse the Alzheimer’s Economic Bomb
Social Security could become insolvent in as little as eight years, with more people retiring and living longer and fewer paying into the program. Alzheimer’s disease is accelerating A
www.realclearhealth.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:07 PM
The projected growth in #Alzheimers could drive families & the US toward fiscal disaster, warn USC Schaeffer’s Joe Grogan & Ryan Long.
The good news: Policies that support prevention, early detection, and innovation today can add healthy years of life and protect budgets.
The good news: Policies that support prevention, early detection, and innovation today can add healthy years of life and protect budgets.
📢Making #Alzheimers clinical trials faster, stronger and more representative. Our new Clinical Trial Knowledge Hub shares lessons from the field and key insights on what works.
Explore here: schaeffer.usc.edu/clinical-tri...
Explore here: schaeffer.usc.edu/clinical-tri...
December 10, 2025 at 8:57 PM
📢Making #Alzheimers clinical trials faster, stronger and more representative. Our new Clinical Trial Knowledge Hub shares lessons from the field and key insights on what works.
Explore here: schaeffer.usc.edu/clinical-tri...
Explore here: schaeffer.usc.edu/clinical-tri...
More money can't fix the ACA, but there's a better way to cover every American without increasing costs, writes USC Schaeffer's Dana Goldman.
Meet the USA Plan:
✅Basic protection for all
✅Income-based deductibles
✅No-cost preventive care
Meet the USA Plan:
✅Basic protection for all
✅Income-based deductibles
✅No-cost preventive care
Money Alone Can't Fix the ACA. Here's How to Cover Everyone Without Increasing Costs. - December 3, 2025 - USC Schaeffer
Health insurance does not need to offer everything to everyone, but it should be a backstop for everyone. - December 3, 2025
schaeffer.usc.edu
December 3, 2025 at 5:46 PM
More money can't fix the ACA, but there's a better way to cover every American without increasing costs, writes USC Schaeffer's Dana Goldman.
Meet the USA Plan:
✅Basic protection for all
✅Income-based deductibles
✅No-cost preventive care
Meet the USA Plan:
✅Basic protection for all
✅Income-based deductibles
✅No-cost preventive care
Newer, transparent #PBMs are gaining some ground in a marketplace dominated by 3 major firms. But as USC Schaeffer’s Neeraj Sood tells @modernhealthcare.bsky.social @noahtong.bsky.social, the fate of these alternative PBMs is still tied to the Big 3.
Upstart PBMs chip away at market leaders as ‘Big 3′ pivot
Top pharmacy benefit managers CVS Caremark, Optum Rx and Express Scripts have rolled out new models that mirror what smaller rivals offer.
www.modernhealthcare.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Newer, transparent #PBMs are gaining some ground in a marketplace dominated by 3 major firms. But as USC Schaeffer’s Neeraj Sood tells @modernhealthcare.bsky.social @noahtong.bsky.social, the fate of these alternative PBMs is still tied to the Big 3.
The declining prices of anti-obesity medications show the power of competition and transparency in the pharmaceutical market, USC Schaeffer’s Dana Goldman writes in the @wsj.com.
Opinion | Get the Government Out of the GLP-1 Market
Its involvement often leads to distortions and perverse incentives.
www.wsj.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:15 PM
The declining prices of anti-obesity medications show the power of competition and transparency in the pharmaceutical market, USC Schaeffer’s Dana Goldman writes in the @wsj.com.
USC Schaeffer Scholar William Padula spoke with @reuters.com about the new round of Medicare-negotiated drug prices announced yesterday.
www.reuters.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:06 PM
USC Schaeffer Scholar William Padula spoke with @reuters.com about the new round of Medicare-negotiated drug prices announced yesterday.
📅 Meeting the urgent need for #Alzheimers treatments requires a stronger, more efficient system for recruiting patients into trials. Join the USC Clinical Trial Recruitment Lab on Dec. 4 to hear from leading experts.
Info and registration: schaeffer.usc.edu/event/improv...
Info and registration: schaeffer.usc.edu/event/improv...
November 25, 2025 at 12:47 AM
📅 Meeting the urgent need for #Alzheimers treatments requires a stronger, more efficient system for recruiting patients into trials. Join the USC Clinical Trial Recruitment Lab on Dec. 4 to hear from leading experts.
Info and registration: schaeffer.usc.edu/event/improv...
Info and registration: schaeffer.usc.edu/event/improv...
The #340B drug discount program has grown rapidly while straying from its mission of serving poorer patients and providers, Schaeffer scholars write in the @washingtonexaminer.bsky.social.
True reform must target the "buy low, sell high" incentive that largely benefits wealthier entities.
True reform must target the "buy low, sell high" incentive that largely benefits wealthier entities.
Federally fueled hospital drug sales must be reformed
Without a change, 340B will continue to enrich wealthier entities at the expense of the vulnerable entities while increasing costs for taxpayers.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:20 PM
The #340B drug discount program has grown rapidly while straying from its mission of serving poorer patients and providers, Schaeffer scholars write in the @washingtonexaminer.bsky.social.
True reform must target the "buy low, sell high" incentive that largely benefits wealthier entities.
True reform must target the "buy low, sell high" incentive that largely benefits wealthier entities.
Prescription drug ads get blamed for a lot. But the evidence for banning them is actually thin, USC Schaeffer’s Neeraj Sood writes in @jamahealthforum.com.
Assessing the Case Against Direct-to-Consumer Drug Advertisements
This Viewpoint assesses concerns regarding direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs.
jamanetwork.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Prescription drug ads get blamed for a lot. But the evidence for banning them is actually thin, USC Schaeffer’s Neeraj Sood writes in @jamahealthforum.com.
Just how hard is it to navigate rising costs and narrowing options in #Medicare Part D?
🎧Check out the latest @tradeoffs.org episode, as Schaeffer Center Co-Director Erin Trish helps her mother sort through the rapidly shifting marketplace.
🎧Check out the latest @tradeoffs.org episode, as Schaeffer Center Co-Director Erin Trish helps her mother sort through the rapidly shifting marketplace.
Rising Costs, Fewer Choices: What’s Up with Medicare Drug Plans?
Facing mounting financial pressures, insurance companies are changing the prescription drug coverage available to many consumers in Medicare Part D.
tradeoffs.org
November 14, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Just how hard is it to navigate rising costs and narrowing options in #Medicare Part D?
🎧Check out the latest @tradeoffs.org episode, as Schaeffer Center Co-Director Erin Trish helps her mother sort through the rapidly shifting marketplace.
🎧Check out the latest @tradeoffs.org episode, as Schaeffer Center Co-Director Erin Trish helps her mother sort through the rapidly shifting marketplace.
📅 From AI to blood biomarkers, new tools are poised to transform #Alzheimers clinical trial recruitment.
Join USC’s Clinical Trial Recruitment Lab on Dec. 4 in San Diego for a symposium on faster, more efficient, and inclusive trials.
Register here ⤵️
Join USC’s Clinical Trial Recruitment Lab on Dec. 4 in San Diego for a symposium on faster, more efficient, and inclusive trials.
Register here ⤵️
Improving the U.S. Clinical Trial Recruitment Ecosystem for Alzheimer's Disease - September 23, 2025 - USC Schaeffer
Overcoming barriers to Alzheimer’s clinical trial recruitment will require varied, evidence-based approaches. The USC Clinical Trial Recruitment Lab - Improving the U.S. Clinical Trial Recruitment Eco...
schaeffer.usc.edu
November 13, 2025 at 6:47 PM
📅 From AI to blood biomarkers, new tools are poised to transform #Alzheimers clinical trial recruitment.
Join USC’s Clinical Trial Recruitment Lab on Dec. 4 in San Diego for a symposium on faster, more efficient, and inclusive trials.
Register here ⤵️
Join USC’s Clinical Trial Recruitment Lab on Dec. 4 in San Diego for a symposium on faster, more efficient, and inclusive trials.
Register here ⤵️
Five years after Congress banned #SurpriseBills, patients are still waiting on some key cost transparency protections promised in the law.
USC Schaeffer Scholar Erin Duffy in Health Affairs Forefront argues patients can't afford further delays.
USC Schaeffer Scholar Erin Duffy in Health Affairs Forefront argues patients can't afford further delays.
The Unfinished Work Of The No Surprises Act: Cost Transparency For Planned Care | Health Affairs Forefront
As the five-year anniversary of the No Surprises Act’s passage approaches, patients are still waiting for rules implementing good faith estimates and advanced explanation of benefits—tools to strength...
www.healthaffairs.org
November 12, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Five years after Congress banned #SurpriseBills, patients are still waiting on some key cost transparency protections promised in the law.
USC Schaeffer Scholar Erin Duffy in Health Affairs Forefront argues patients can't afford further delays.
USC Schaeffer Scholar Erin Duffy in Health Affairs Forefront argues patients can't afford further delays.
The White House's efforts to expand access to anti-obesity medications address a critical public health challenge. USC Schaeffer research demonstrating the health and economic benefits of broader coverage helped inform the move.
White House Move to Expand Obesity Drug Access Informed by Schaeffer Research - November 10, 2025 - USC Schaeffer
A landmark White House agreement reflects Schaeffer evidence that expanded access would improve health and save hundreds of billions of dollars in healthcare costs. - November 10, 2025
schaeffer.usc.edu
November 11, 2025 at 8:11 PM
The White House's efforts to expand access to anti-obesity medications address a critical public health challenge. USC Schaeffer research demonstrating the health and economic benefits of broader coverage helped inform the move.
The White House’s deals on anti-obesity medications could have a ripple effect: They may encourage more insurers to offer coverage, USC Schaeffer’s Darius Lakdawalla tells @cnbc.com.
Millions more Americans could access obesity drugs after Trump's deals with Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk
Medicare will start covering obesity drugs for the first time, which could open access to millions of seniors and spur more private insurers to follow suit.
www.cnbc.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:54 PM
The White House’s deals on anti-obesity medications could have a ripple effect: They may encourage more insurers to offer coverage, USC Schaeffer’s Darius Lakdawalla tells @cnbc.com.
People with #diabetes are living healthier lives due to medical advances over the past few decades—but surprisingly, their workforce participation hasn’t improved.
🎧 USC Schaeffer's Jack Chapel dives into his research on this “diabetes paradox" on The Academic Minute.
🎧 USC Schaeffer's Jack Chapel dives into his research on this “diabetes paradox" on The Academic Minute.
Jack Chapel, University of Southern California - A Diabetes Paradox - The Academic Minute
Health among those afflicted with diabetes is improving, but obtaining work remains a challenge. Jack Chapel, assistant professor of health policy and management at the University of Southern Californ...
academicminute.org
November 5, 2025 at 5:19 PM
People with #diabetes are living healthier lives due to medical advances over the past few decades—but surprisingly, their workforce participation hasn’t improved.
🎧 USC Schaeffer's Jack Chapel dives into his research on this “diabetes paradox" on The Academic Minute.
🎧 USC Schaeffer's Jack Chapel dives into his research on this “diabetes paradox" on The Academic Minute.
Expanding #Medicare coverage of anti-obesity medications would be one of the most effective public health investments the U.S. could make, USC Schaeffer research shows.
⤵️Our scholars have identified ways it can be done affordably.
⤵️Our scholars have identified ways it can be done affordably.
A Value-Based Price for Anti-Obesity Medications - July 17, 2025 - USC Schaeffer
An appropriate price for GLP-1s should reflect the underlying value of the highly effective treatments. We use a dynamic microsimulation to estimate value-based prices that account for the health bene...
schaeffer.usc.edu
November 4, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Expanding #Medicare coverage of anti-obesity medications would be one of the most effective public health investments the U.S. could make, USC Schaeffer research shows.
⤵️Our scholars have identified ways it can be done affordably.
⤵️Our scholars have identified ways it can be done affordably.
While Congress continues to weigh #PBM reform, many states have passed laws this year targeting middlemen practices.
USC Schaeffer's Geoffrey Joyce tells @stateline.org @chatlanis.bsky.social these efforts can help bring down patient costs.
USC Schaeffer's Geoffrey Joyce tells @stateline.org @chatlanis.bsky.social these efforts can help bring down patient costs.
Dozens of states tackle high prescription drug costs • Stateline
In the absence of much federal action, states have enacted dozens of laws this year to lower prescription drug costs for their residents — and many more are considering following suit.
stateline.org
November 3, 2025 at 7:09 PM
While Congress continues to weigh #PBM reform, many states have passed laws this year targeting middlemen practices.
USC Schaeffer's Geoffrey Joyce tells @stateline.org @chatlanis.bsky.social these efforts can help bring down patient costs.
USC Schaeffer's Geoffrey Joyce tells @stateline.org @chatlanis.bsky.social these efforts can help bring down patient costs.
How can the U.S. keep its biotech edge as China surges? USC Schaeffer’s Lowell Schiller told the Senate HELP Committee how #FDA modernization can support the innovation ecosystem and ensure patients benefit from today's scientific advances.
Testimony on Maintaining U.S. Biotech Competitiveness and Delivering Lifesaving Cures to Patients - October 29, 2025 - USC Schaeffer
As technology evolves, FDA's regulatory frameworks must adapt to avoid needless uncertainty about how reviewers will evaluate novel products or approaches. - October 29, 2025
schaeffer.usc.edu
October 31, 2025 at 5:48 PM
How can the U.S. keep its biotech edge as China surges? USC Schaeffer’s Lowell Schiller told the Senate HELP Committee how #FDA modernization can support the innovation ecosystem and ensure patients benefit from today's scientific advances.
While the US #biosimilar market has developed more slowly than Europe’s, USC Schaeffer research shows early biosimilars are delivering on their promise to lower biologic #drugprices.
Biosimilars Drug Market Isn’t Broken After All, USC Schaeffer Study Finds - June 6, 2023 - USC Schaeffer
Researchers looked at cancer therapy trastuzumab (Herceptin) and found biosimilars bring competition to the market, with prices declining by more than half for some versions. - June 6, 2023
schaeffer.usc.edu
October 30, 2025 at 3:00 PM
While the US #biosimilar market has developed more slowly than Europe’s, USC Schaeffer research shows early biosimilars are delivering on their promise to lower biologic #drugprices.
CMS staffing shortages could make the ongoing #Medicare enrollment season challenging for beneficiaries, warns USC Schaeffer’s Jon Blum in @thehill.com:
“We don’t have the infrastructure right now in place to really make sure those benefits get delivered well and get communicated well."
“We don’t have the infrastructure right now in place to really make sure those benefits get delivered well and get communicated well."
thehill.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:03 PM
CMS staffing shortages could make the ongoing #Medicare enrollment season challenging for beneficiaries, warns USC Schaeffer’s Jon Blum in @thehill.com:
“We don’t have the infrastructure right now in place to really make sure those benefits get delivered well and get communicated well."
“We don’t have the infrastructure right now in place to really make sure those benefits get delivered well and get communicated well."
As health insurance costs rise, more Americans may skip coverage or seek cheaper care outside their health plan.
USC Schaeffer’s Erin Duffy tells @nbcnews.com @berkeleyjr.bsky.social why that’s risky and explains how patients can negotiate to make #MedicalBills more manageable.
USC Schaeffer’s Erin Duffy tells @nbcnews.com @berkeleyjr.bsky.social why that’s risky and explains how patients can negotiate to make #MedicalBills more manageable.
Is it cheaper to pay for medical care without health insurance?
Hospitals or clinics may offer cash-only discounts to people who pay without insurance. But experts warn that health care isn't the place to bargain for the best deal.
www.nbcnews.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:36 PM
As health insurance costs rise, more Americans may skip coverage or seek cheaper care outside their health plan.
USC Schaeffer’s Erin Duffy tells @nbcnews.com @berkeleyjr.bsky.social why that’s risky and explains how patients can negotiate to make #MedicalBills more manageable.
USC Schaeffer’s Erin Duffy tells @nbcnews.com @berkeleyjr.bsky.social why that’s risky and explains how patients can negotiate to make #MedicalBills more manageable.