Penn Medical Ethics and Health Policy

Colonial Penn Center Auditorium

HP X LDI Research Seminar: Riley League, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Finance, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Learn More 2026-01-29 12:00:00 2026-01-29 13:00:00 America/New_York HP X LDI Research Seminar: Riley League, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Finance, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Fragmented Insurance and Billing Frictions: Understanding Denied Health Insurance Claims Open to Penn Affiliates Please note: Registration for this event is required. Please register here: https://share.hsforms.com/1dAXFMDm7T9CYwjJW6RBjXQ5gwp1. This event is co-sponsored with the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics. Billing and insurance-related activities are a dominant driver of the high administrative costs of the US health care system. However, the economics claim denials—the most visible manifestation of billing frictions—remains poorly understood. We explain why the prevalence of claim denials is an economic puzzle and investigate why denials persist in equilibrium. Using data from the Massachusetts All-Payer Claims Database, we document that denials are prevalent even for private insurers and show that these denials are largely for low-cost, routine services. We then present evidence that insurance fragmentation is a key driver of claim denials: the rate of denials spikes when enrollees change insurers, and different insurers have very different equilibrium denial rates for the same service, suggesting providers do not narrowly tailor their billing across insurers. Together, these findings highlight how fragmented insurance structures and heterogeneous coverage rules can contribute to inefficiency and waste in the U.S. health care system. Riley League is an Assistant Professor of Finance at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Gies College of Business. His research interests lie in health economics and industrial organization, with a focus on how administrative burdens shape the delivery, cost, and outcomes of health care in the United States. He also conducts research on the dialysis industry, where he and his coauthors examine the significant influence of financial, regulatory, and legal incentives. He holds a courtesy appointment in the University of Illinois Department of Economics and is a Faculty Research Fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). Prior to joining the faculty, he was a Postdoctoral Fellow in Health and Aging Research at the NBER, following the completion of his PhD in Economics at Duke University in May 2023. Colonial Penn Center Auditorium Penn Medical Ethics

February

3

Colonial Penn Center Auditorium

HP X CHIBE X LDI Policy Seminar: Liz Fowler, JD, PhD, Former Director of the CMMI, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Learn More 2026-02-03 12:00:00 2026-02-03 13:00:00 America/New_York HP X CHIBE X LDI Policy Seminar: Liz Fowler, JD, PhD, Former Director of the CMMI, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Registration for this event is required. You can register here: https://share.hsforms.com/1uOsbW5WGR3a83Fluxioe3g5gwp1. This event is co-sponsored by the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics and the Center for Health Incentives & Behavioral Economics. "Health Policy at a Crossroads: Protecting Progress, Building for the Future." About the Talk: The U.S. health system is experiencing a period of substantial uncertainty, with high stakes for patients, providers, and policymakers. Drawing on more than two decades at the center of U.S. health reform – from playing a role in drafting the Medicare Part D law and the Affordable Care Act to leading the CMS Innovation Center – Liz Fowler examines where U.S. health policy stands today and what comes next. She will explore recent policy developments, including the debate over coverage following historic Medicaid cuts, ongoing uncertainty around ACA subsidies, the continuing challenges facing Medicare, and the future of value-based care. Fowler distills lessons from past reform efforts and outlines a pragmatic agenda for protecting progress while building a stronger, more sustainable health system. About the Speaker: Dr. Liz Fowler is a nationally recognized expert in federal health policy and a visionary leader with a proven record of success in both public and private sector executive roles. Most recently, Dr. Fowler was Deputy Administrator and Director of the Innovation Center at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). In that role, she was responsible for advancing innovative payment and care delivery models in Medicare and Medicaid to promote value-based care on a national scale. Under her leadership, the CMS Innovation Center launched a new strategy focused on accountable care and designed, announced, and administered 37 payment and care delivery reform models impacting nearly 200,000 hospitals, physicians and 57 million patients between 2022 to 2024. These value-based payment models have provided an important testing ground and scaling opportunity for innovative start-ups and health care disrupters. Prior to leading the Innovation Center, she was Executive Vice President of programs at The Commonwealth Fund and Vice President for Global Health Policy at Johnson & Johnson. In 2011-2012, she served as special assistant to President Obama on health care and economic policy at the National Economic Council to implement the Affordable Care Act (ACA). As Chief Health Counsel at the Senate Finance Committee, she played a major role in the drafting and passage of the ACA in 2010, and she also played a key role drafting the 2003 Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act (MMA). Dr. Fowler has over 25 years of experience in health policy and health services research. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, a PhD from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and a law degree (JD) from the University of Minnesota. She is admitted to the bar in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Dr. Fowler is a Fellow of the inaugural class of the Aspen Health Innovators Fellowship and was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2022. Colonial Penn Center Auditorium Penn Medical Ethics

February

10

Hybrid: 11-102AB 3600 Civic Ctr Blvd, and via Zoom

Research Ethics & Policy Series (REPS): Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease: "Research Ethics and Policy Implications" - Alexis A. Thompson, MD, MPH

Learn More 2026-02-10 12:00:00 2026-02-10 13:00:00 America/New_York Research Ethics & Policy Series (REPS): Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease: "Research Ethics and Policy Implications" - Alexis A. Thompson, MD, MPH Sickle Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease: Research Ethics and Policy Implications Alexis A. Thompson, MD, MPH Professor of Pediatrics (Hematology) Chief, Division of Hematology Elias Schwartz MD Endowed Chair in Hematology Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that causes severe anemia, and is associated with debilitating pain, chronic organ injury, and early death. Many advances across biomedical research have not translated to improvements in patient outcomes, however, gene therapy as a potential curative approach has renewed interest and hope. This presentation will summarize accomplishments in sickle cell disease over time, focusing on ethics and policy implications of newer and potentially transformational therapies, acknowledging continued impediments, and exploring opportunities to further make an impact on this condition. Registration required; Lunch provided Streaming available via Zoom. Hybrid: 11-102AB 3600 Civic Ctr Blvd, and via Zoom Penn Medical Ethics

March

12

CCB 08-031, 8th Floor, 3600 Civic Center Blvd. (Note: Virtual attendees can join by accessing this link: https://upenn.zoom.us/j/95740259034.)

Health Policy Research Seminar: Jamie Daw, PhD, Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management, Columbia University

Learn More 2026-03-12 10:00:00 2026-03-12 11:00:00 America/New_York Health Policy Research Seminar: Jamie Daw, PhD, Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management, Columbia University Dr. Daw is a quantitative health services and policy researcher with expertise in quasi-experimental methods and the analysis of large surveys and administrative datasets. She studies how policies affect the barriers faced by reproductive-aged women and pregnant people in accessing health services, from gaining health insurance to connecting with providers and ultimately, receiving high-quality care. Her current research agenda focuses on how Medicaid policy changes and new health care delivery models can promote improved health care access, quality, and health equity in the year after childbirth. Dr. Daw leads the Postpartum Assessment of Health Survey (PAHS), a first-of-its-kind multi-state follow-up survey on maternal health in the year after birth. She is currently a principal investigator on three federal R01 grants and has received prior support from the Commonwealth Fund and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Her research has been cited in policy documents and published in leading medical, health services, and policy journals including JAMA, CMAJ, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Health Affairs, and the Journal of Health Policy, Politics and Law. Dr. Daw teaches Empirical Analysis for Health Policy to the full cohort of HPM MPH students each spring. CCB 08-031, 8th Floor, 3600 Civic Center Blvd. (Note: Virtual attendees can join by accessing this link: https://upenn.zoom.us/j/95740259034.) Penn Medical Ethics

March

17

3600 Civic Center Blvd., 8th Floor

Penn Bioethics Seminar (PBS): "Paternalism, Autonomy, and Duties of Aid" - Sophie Gibert, PhD

Learn More 2026-03-17 12:00:00 2026-03-17 13:00:00 America/New_York Penn Bioethics Seminar (PBS): "Paternalism, Autonomy, and Duties of Aid" - Sophie Gibert, PhD Paternalism, Autonomy, and Duties of Aid Sophie Gibert, PhD Assistant Professor, Legal Studies & Business Ethics Department Wharton School | University of Pennsylvania Dr. Gibert's research is primarily in normative ethics and she writes on topics such as manipulation, paternalism, and autonomy. Dr. Gibert also writes about issues in bioethics, and co-hosts a bioethics podcast called Bio(un)ethical. More detail to follow. Registration required; Streaming available via Zoom. 3600 Civic Center Blvd., 8th Floor Penn Medical Ethics

March

31

3600 Civic Center Blvd., 8th Floor

Penn Bioethics Seminar (PBS): "Why They Blow the Whistle: Exposing Abuses in Medical Research" - Carl Elliott, MD, PhD

Learn More 2026-03-31 12:00:00 2026-03-31 13:00:00 America/New_York Penn Bioethics Seminar (PBS): "Why They Blow the Whistle: Exposing Abuses in Medical Research" - Carl Elliott, MD, PhD Why They Blow the Whistle: Exposing Abuses in Medical Research Carl Elliott, MD, PhD Professor, Department of Philosophy University of Minnesota In popular culture, whistleblowers are conscience-driven heroes who triumph against the odds. Yet when medical research abuses occur, institutions deny wrongdoing even when it is glaringly obvious, and rarely do mistreated research subjects or their families get any real justice. Whistleblowing is the exception, not the rule. In many scandals, doctors and other staff members remain silent for years while unwitting research subjects are abused. What is it that leads a rare individual to say no to practices that are deceptive, exploitative or harmful when everyone else remains silent? Streaming available via Zoom. 3600 Civic Center Blvd., 8th Floor Penn Medical Ethics

April

9

CCB 05-031, 5th Floor, 3600 Civic Center Blvd. (Note: Virtual attendees can join by accessing this link: https://upenn.zoom.us/j/95740259034.)

Health Policy Research Seminar: Sumit Agarwal, MD, MPH, PhD, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Health Management & Policy, University of Michigan

Learn More 2026-04-09 10:00:00 2026-04-09 11:00:00 America/New_York Health Policy Research Seminar: Sumit Agarwal, MD, MPH, PhD, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Health Management & Policy, University of Michigan Sumit Agarwal, MD, MPH, PhD is a physician and health economist at the University of Michigan. He is an assistant professor in the medical school and a member of the Institute for Health Policy and Innovation. Dr. Agarwal's research examines the impacts of economic, social, and insurance policies on health. His research also explores several areas related to primary care, including its workforce, quality of care, and payment reform. His work has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of the American Medical Association, and Health Affairs. He holds a PhD from Harvard University, an MD from the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, an MPH from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and a BA from Washington University in St. Louis. He completed his clinical training in internal medicine and primary care at the University of Virginia and a fellowship in General Internal Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Agarwal currently sees patients as a primary care physician at the University of Michigan. CCB 05-031, 5th Floor, 3600 Civic Center Blvd. (Note: Virtual attendees can join by accessing this link: https://upenn.zoom.us/j/95740259034.) Penn Medical Ethics

April

14

Hybrid: 11-102AB 3600 Civic Ctr Blvd (and virtual via Zoom)

Research Ethics & Policy Series (REPS): Ethical and Policy Questions in Development of Human Genome Project - Robert Cook-Deegan, MD

Learn More 2026-04-14 12:00:00 2026-04-14 13:00:00 America/New_York Research Ethics & Policy Series (REPS): Ethical and Policy Questions in Development of Human Genome Project - Robert Cook-Deegan, MD Ethical and Policy Questions in Development of Human Genome Project Robert Cook-Deegan, MD Professor School for the Future of Innovation in Society Consortium for Science, Policy & Outcomes Arizona State University Dr. Robert Cook-Deegan, MD, is a professor at Arizona State University in the School for the Future of Innovation in Society and the Consortium for Science, Policy & Outcomes. He was at Duke University 2002-2016, after a career in Washington at the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (1991-2002); National Center for Human Genome Research (1989-1990); and the congressional Office of Technology Assessment (1982-1988). His research interests include science policy, health policy, biomedical research, cancer, and intellectual property. He is the author of "The Gene Wars: Science, Politics, and the Human Genome" and more than 350 other publications. More detail to follow. Registration required; Lunch provided Streaming available via Zoom. Hybrid: 11-102AB 3600 Civic Ctr Blvd (and virtual via Zoom) Penn Medical Ethics

April

21

3600 Civic Center Blvd., 8th Floor

Penn Bioethics Seminar (PBS): "Measuring Implementation of Abortion Law, Globally" - Patricia Skuster, JD, MPP

Learn More 2026-04-21 12:00:00 2026-04-21 13:00:00 America/New_York Penn Bioethics Seminar (PBS): "Measuring Implementation of Abortion Law, Globally" - Patricia Skuster, JD, MPP Measuring Implementation of Abortion Law, Globally Patricia Skuster, JD, MPP Associate Director of Accreditation Core MPH teaching faculty, Master’s in Public Health Program University of Pennsylvania Patty Skuster’s research has focused on abortion law globally and how law operates to affect public health. She currently serves as Associate Director of Accreditation and Core MPH teaching faculty at the University of Pennsylvania’s Master’s in Public Health Program, where she teaches courses on reproductive rights, public health law and use/misuse of evidence in public health policy. She also leads a research project with the World Health Organization related to abortion policy implementation and consults with non-governmental organizations on abortion legal issues. She has published dozens of articles in peer-reviewed journals, laws reviews, and popular media on self-managed abortion, abortion criminalization, abortion legal research, and US foreign policy. More detail to follow. 3600 Civic Center Blvd., 8th Floor Penn Medical Ethics

April

28

3600 Civic Center Blvd., 8th Floor

Penn Bioethics Seminar (PBS): "Listening From the Inside: Partnering With Incarcerated Men to Navigate Health and Dignity"- Rose Onyeali, MD, MSHP

Learn More 2026-04-28 12:00:00 2026-04-28 13:00:00 America/New_York Penn Bioethics Seminar (PBS): "Listening From the Inside: Partnering With Incarcerated Men to Navigate Health and Dignity"- Rose Onyeali, MD, MSHP Listening From the Inside: Partnering With Incarcerated Men to Navigate Health and Dignity Rose Onyeali, MD, MSHP Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine (Geriatrics) Perelman School of Medicine | University of Pennsylvania While in medical school, Dr. Onyeali led the community outreach program for SNMA. She moved to Philadelphia to complete her residency in Internal Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, where she was an active member of the hospital’s Ethics Committee, co-founded the Women in Medicine program for the Internal Medicine Residency, and actively contributed to the Jefferson Alliance for Minority Health. During her fellowship, she observed gaps in the health care transitions of older incarcerated adults into the community, which led to her research interest in transitions of care of incarcerated adults with cognitive and functional impairment. More detail to follow. 3600 Civic Center Blvd., 8th Floor Penn Medical Ethics