Secretary of Well being and Human Companies Xavier Becerra introduced on Jan. 8 that he has appointed Stacy Sanders to the function of Chief Competitors Officer, per a information launch by the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Companies (HHS). The function 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 function was created after final month’s announcement of the Biden-Harris Administration to deal with well being care and prescription drug prices. The administration goals to make sure all Individuals have entry to high quality and inexpensive healthcare. Senior HHS officers imagine taxpayer-funded medicines ought to be fairly obtainable and inexpensive. By selling competitors, they anticipate prices to be decreased. 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 remedy 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 deal with focus in well being care markets and develop well being care competitors coverage initiatives. Moreover main efforts to scale back prices for prescription remedy and well being care providers, Ms. Sanders will execute the well being care-focused components of the President’s 2021 Govt 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 Getting older for U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Jr. Earlier than that, she was a federal coverage director of the Medicare Rights Heart. Her expertise lies in engaged on initiatives as they relate to enhancing entry to well being care, constructing well being and financial safety for growing old Individuals and folks with disabilities, enhancing nursing dwelling high quality, decreasing prescription drug prices, and simplifying Medicare enrollment.
Stacy Sanders, in a press release included within the press launch, mentioned, “I sit up for 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 establish alternatives to additional spur innovation.”
Secretary Becerra expressed his appreciation for Sanders, saying that “Her stewardship has made a significant distinction in serving to Individuals get monetary savings on their prescription drug prices. I sit up for seeing her construct upon this work and make sure the well being care market stays aggressive.”
