Secretary of Well being and Human Providers Xavier Becerra introduced on Jan. 8 that he has appointed Stacy Sanders to the position of Chief Competitors Officer, per a information launch by the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Providers (HHS). The position of Chief Competitors Officer has been created to stimulate competitors to decrease well being care and prescription drug prices. HHS: “A Counselor to the Secretary, Ms. Sanders oversees the Division’s implementation of the Inflation Discount Act, long-term care initiatives, insurance policies to advertise well being care competitors, and different Medicare work.”
The brand new position was created after final month’s announcement of the Biden-Harris Administration to handle well being care and prescription drug prices. The administration goals to make sure all People have entry to high quality and reasonably priced healthcare. Senior HHS officers consider taxpayer-funded medicines must be moderately obtainable and reasonably priced. By selling competitors, they anticipate prices to be diminished. Analysis by the HHS found {that a} lack of competitors in drug markets is expounded to elevated pricing. Nearly three in ten folks wrestle to pay for the medicine they want, per a ballot by the Kaiser Household Basis (KFF).
Ms. Sanders will work with the Federal Commerce Fee and Division of Justice to handle focus in well being care markets and develop well being care competitors coverage initiatives. In addition to main efforts to cut back prices for prescription medicine and well being care companies, Ms. Sanders will execute the well being care-focused elements of the President’s 2021 Government Order on Selling Competitors within the American Economic system.
Stacy Sanders joined the HSS in November of 2022. Beforehand, she was a employees director of The Senate Particular Committee on Growing old for U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Jr. Earlier than that, she was a federal coverage director of the Medicare Rights Middle. Her expertise lies in engaged on initiatives as they relate to enhancing entry to well being care, constructing well being and financial safety for getting older People and other people with disabilities, enhancing nursing house high quality, reducing prescription drug prices, and simplifying Medicare enrollment.
Stacy Sanders, in a press release included within the press launch, mentioned, “I look ahead to supporting the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to extend competitors in well being care and decrease prices, serving to construct on steps the Administration has already taken in addition to determine alternatives to additional spur innovation.”
Secretary Becerra expressed his appreciation for Sanders, saying that “Her stewardship has made a significant distinction in serving to People get monetary savings on their prescription drug prices. I look ahead to seeing her construct upon this work and make sure the well being care market stays aggressive.”
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