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.
New treatments that can slow #Alzheimers progression could provide significant value across society, with even greater benefits when treatment starts earlier, according to new USC Schaeffer research.
Starting Alzheimer’s Treatment Earlier Increases Benefits to Patients and Society - October 7, 2026 - USC Schaeffer
Early detection could help patients start Alzheimer's treatments when they deliver the greatest value. - October 7, 2026
schaeffer.usc.edu
October 8, 2026 at 7:11 PM
New treatments that can slow #Alzheimers progression could provide significant value across society, with even greater benefits when treatment starts earlier, according to new USC Schaeffer research.
Dementia's economic impact is estimated to hit $818B this year and continue growing.
A new interactive tool from USC Schaeffer shows how dementia and new interventions may shape health and economic outcomes in the U.S. over the next 25 years.
A new interactive tool from USC Schaeffer shows how dementia and new interventions may shape health and economic outcomes in the U.S. over the next 25 years.
Forecasting Dementia’s Impact on the U.S. - USC Schaeffer
An estimated 5.7 million older adults in the U.S. are living with dementia, costing families and society an estimated $818 billion this year, according to the United States Cost of Dementia project. T...
schaeffer.usc.edu
October 7, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Dementia's economic impact is estimated to hit $818B this year and continue growing.
A new interactive tool from USC Schaeffer shows how dementia and new interventions may shape health and economic outcomes in the U.S. over the next 25 years.
A new interactive tool from USC Schaeffer shows how dementia and new interventions may shape health and economic outcomes in the U.S. over the next 25 years.
ER visits among foreign-born patients dropped sharply at L.A. hospitals as immigration enforcement intensified last year, new USC Schaeffer research finds.
When foreign-born patients did seek care, they were more likely to be hospitalized.
When foreign-born patients did seek care, they were more likely to be hospitalized.
As Immigration Enforcement Increased in L.A., Foreign-Born Patients Made Fewer ER Visits - October 5, 2026 - USC Schaeffer
Despite making fewer ER visits, foreign-born patients were more likely to be hospitalized when they did seek care. - October 5, 2026
schaeffer.usc.edu
October 5, 2026 at 6:06 PM
ER visits among foreign-born patients dropped sharply at L.A. hospitals as immigration enforcement intensified last year, new USC Schaeffer research finds.
When foreign-born patients did seek care, they were more likely to be hospitalized.
When foreign-born patients did seek care, they were more likely to be hospitalized.
The collapse of community is a threat to democracy. Young people didn’t create this problem, but they have power to fix it, former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown of #USCSchaeffer and Robert Putnam told an audience at the @usc.edu Capital Campus in Washington, DC.
Gordon Brown and Robert Putnam Call on Students to Lead Civic Revival - October 2, 2026 - USC Schaeffer
The former UK prime minister and renowned researcher said the work of strengthening democracy starts with rebuilding community for the smartphone age. - October 2, 2026
schaeffer.usc.edu
October 2, 2026 at 6:23 PM
The collapse of community is a threat to democracy. Young people didn’t create this problem, but they have power to fix it, former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown of #USCSchaeffer and Robert Putnam told an audience at the @usc.edu Capital Campus in Washington, DC.
Postpartum GLP-1 use has increased sharply in the US, finds new USC Schaeffer research in @jama.com.
Among commercially insured patients, nearly 1 in 6 new mothers with type 2 diabetes were prescribed a GLP-1 last year, while prescriptions have risen fastest for obesity and overweight.
Among commercially insured patients, nearly 1 in 6 new mothers with type 2 diabetes were prescribed a GLP-1 last year, while prescriptions have risen fastest for obesity and overweight.
GLP-1 Prescriptions for New Mothers Have Increased Sharply - October 1, 2026 - USC Schaeffer
About 1 in 6 with type 2 diabetes started treatment last year, while prescriptions rose fastest for weight loss. - October 1, 2026
schaeffer.usc.edu
October 1, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Postpartum GLP-1 use has increased sharply in the US, finds new USC Schaeffer research in @jama.com.
Among commercially insured patients, nearly 1 in 6 new mothers with type 2 diabetes were prescribed a GLP-1 last year, while prescriptions have risen fastest for obesity and overweight.
Among commercially insured patients, nearly 1 in 6 new mothers with type 2 diabetes were prescribed a GLP-1 last year, while prescriptions have risen fastest for obesity and overweight.
States have already allocated billions of dollars from major opioid settlements. The largest share of funds, about 40%, is going toward unknown purposes, finds an analysis of publicly reported data led by USC Schaeffer's Rosalie Liccardo Pacula.
Billions From Opioid Settlements Are Finally Arriving. Here's How the Money Can Be Spent Wisely. - September 29, 2026 - USC Schaeffer
The science about what works is far stronger than the current spending patterns in many states suggest. - September 29, 2026
schaeffer.usc.edu
September 30, 2026 at 7:13 PM
States have already allocated billions of dollars from major opioid settlements. The largest share of funds, about 40%, is going toward unknown purposes, finds an analysis of publicly reported data led by USC Schaeffer's Rosalie Liccardo Pacula.
More than 1 in 5 older adults are taking potentially risky combinations of prescription drugs, according to new research from USC Schaeffer's Dima Qato.
Older Americans Are Taking More Medications, With More Than 1 in 5 at Risk for a Major Drug Interaction - September 25, 2026 - USC Schaeffer
Antidepressants, statins and antiplatelet therapies were the most commonly used medications involved in potentially major interactions among older adults. - September 25, 2026
schaeffer.usc.edu
September 28, 2026 at 6:25 PM
More than 1 in 5 older adults are taking potentially risky combinations of prescription drugs, according to new research from USC Schaeffer's Dima Qato.
A proposal to tie Medicare physician pay increases to inflation represents a retreat from using sweeping financial incentives to influence how doctors provide care, USC Schaeffer’s Paul Ginsburg told @statnews.com.
Momentum is building for a big change to how doctors get paid
Congress is considering linking doctor payment rates to medical inflation under the proposed Patients First Act.
www.statnews.com
September 25, 2026 at 2:39 PM
A proposal to tie Medicare physician pay increases to inflation represents a retreat from using sweeping financial incentives to influence how doctors provide care, USC Schaeffer’s Paul Ginsburg told @statnews.com.
Reposted by USC Schaeffer
Most older US adults would be interested in a dementia vaccine, survey finds
Researchers asked about a hypothetical vaccine that could cut the risk of dementia in half.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4y9IYDl
📷: CDC
Researchers asked about a hypothetical vaccine that could cut the risk of dementia in half.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4y9IYDl
📷: CDC
September 22, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Most older US adults would be interested in a dementia vaccine, survey finds
Researchers asked about a hypothetical vaccine that could cut the risk of dementia in half.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4y9IYDl
📷: CDC
Researchers asked about a hypothetical vaccine that could cut the risk of dementia in half.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4y9IYDl
📷: CDC
As policymakers weigh changes to the No Surprises Act’s overburdened arbitration process, USC Schaeffer's Erin Duffy writes that longstanding commercial arbitration and litigation systems offer important lessons for reform.
Beyond The No Surprises Act: The Longstanding Health Care Payment Dispute Resolution Ecosystem | Health Affairs Forefront
Several strengths of the legacy commercial arbitration and litigation systems could inform improvements to the federal independent dispute resolution process established under the No Surprises Act.
www.healthaffairs.org
September 22, 2026 at 7:03 PM
As policymakers weigh changes to the No Surprises Act’s overburdened arbitration process, USC Schaeffer's Erin Duffy writes that longstanding commercial arbitration and litigation systems offer important lessons for reform.
Older Americans appear ready to embrace a vaccine that would help prevent dementia.
New USC Schaeffer research finds nearly 3 in 4 older adults would be interested in receiving a vaccine that could cut the risk of dementia in half.
New USC Schaeffer research finds nearly 3 in 4 older adults would be interested in receiving a vaccine that could cut the risk of dementia in half.
Older Adults Have Strong Interest in Dementia Vaccine, Survey Finds - September 21, 2026 - USC Schaeffer
Nearly 3 in 4 expect they would get a vaccine that lowers a high risk of developing dementia. - September 21, 2026
schaeffer.usc.edu
September 21, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Older Americans appear ready to embrace a vaccine that would help prevent dementia.
New USC Schaeffer research finds nearly 3 in 4 older adults would be interested in receiving a vaccine that could cut the risk of dementia in half.
New USC Schaeffer research finds nearly 3 in 4 older adults would be interested in receiving a vaccine that could cut the risk of dementia in half.
New FDA-approved blood tests can detect signs of #Alzheimers before symptoms appear, creating a critical opportunity for early intervention. Congress should pass bipartisan legislation allowing Medicare coverage, USC Schaeffer's Joe Grogan writes. www.realclearhealth.com/articles/202...
Alzheimer’s Science Is Advancing
The Food and Drug Administration cleared two more Alzheimer’s blood tests last month, the latest sign of how quickly Alzheimer’s science is accelerating.But my career in Washington has tau
www.realclearhealth.com
September 17, 2026 at 6:53 PM
New FDA-approved blood tests can detect signs of #Alzheimers before symptoms appear, creating a critical opportunity for early intervention. Congress should pass bipartisan legislation allowing Medicare coverage, USC Schaeffer's Joe Grogan writes. www.realclearhealth.com/articles/202...
A bill before the House Ways and Means Committee would undermine MedPAC's ability to conduct independent analysis, warned USC Schaeffer Sr. Scholar Paul GInsburg.
Comments on the Apples to Apples Comparison Act of 2025 - September 16, 2026 - USC Schaeffer
The legislation would undermine MedPAC's ability to conduct independent analysis, a Schaeffer scholar warned. - September 16, 2026
schaeffer.usc.edu
September 16, 2026 at 3:58 PM
A bill before the House Ways and Means Committee would undermine MedPAC's ability to conduct independent analysis, warned USC Schaeffer Sr. Scholar Paul GInsburg.
Very few patients with #Alzheimers are referred to or consider joining clinical trials. Reimbursing providers for counseling patients about trial participation could make a difference, USC Schaeffer experts wrote to CMS.
Comments to CMS on Payment for Physician-Patient Clinical Trial Discussions - September 15, 2026 - USC Schaeffer
Schaeffer experts encouraged Medicare to reimburse healthcare providers for substantive discussions with patients about clinical trial participation. - September 15, 2026
schaeffer.usc.edu
September 15, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Very few patients with #Alzheimers are referred to or consider joining clinical trials. Reimbursing providers for counseling patients about trial participation could make a difference, USC Schaeffer experts wrote to CMS.
People who stopped using GLP-1s reported lower trust in pharmaceutical companies than current users and those who never used the treatments, a new USC Schaeffer survey found.
The Relationship Between GLP-1 Use and Trust in Pharmaceutical Companies - September 14, 2026 - USC Schaeffer
Lowering patient cost-sharing for GLP-1s could improve access, reduce discontinuation and help repair trust in the industry. - September 14, 2026
schaeffer.usc.edu
September 14, 2026 at 5:23 PM
People who stopped using GLP-1s reported lower trust in pharmaceutical companies than current users and those who never used the treatments, a new USC Schaeffer survey found.
Whether people vote is partly predicted by what they think friends and family will do, new USC Schaeffer research shows.
Think Your Friends Won’t Vote? You're More Likely to Sit Out the Election - September 8, 2026 - USC Schaeffer
Whether people vote is partly predicted by what they think friends and family will do, new research shows. - September 8, 2026
schaeffer.usc.edu
September 8, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Whether people vote is partly predicted by what they think friends and family will do, new USC Schaeffer research shows.
The first prescription for sleep medications may play an important role in shaping long-term use.
Patients initially prescribed drugs like Ambien for longer durations were more likely to still be using them years later, new USC Schaeffer research finds.
Patients initially prescribed drugs like Ambien for longer durations were more likely to still be using them years later, new USC Schaeffer research finds.
Long-Term Use of Sleep Drugs May Start With the Initial Prescription - September 3, 2026 - USC Schaeffer
The first prescription may play an important role in shaping long-term use of sleep medications. - September 3, 2026
schaeffer.usc.edu
September 3, 2026 at 4:33 PM
The first prescription for sleep medications may play an important role in shaping long-term use.
Patients initially prescribed drugs like Ambien for longer durations were more likely to still be using them years later, new USC Schaeffer research finds.
Patients initially prescribed drugs like Ambien for longer durations were more likely to still be using them years later, new USC Schaeffer research finds.
As the new school year begins, data from the Understanding America Study at USC Schaeffer points to critical gaps between how parents and their teens perceive teens' well-being.
Three Things Parents Miss About Their Teens’ Lives - August 27, 2026 - USC Schaeffer
As the new school year begins, data from the Understanding America Study points to critical gaps between how parents and their teens perceive teens' well-being. - August 27, 2026
schaeffer.usc.edu
September 2, 2026 at 5:15 PM
As the new school year begins, data from the Understanding America Study at USC Schaeffer points to critical gaps between how parents and their teens perceive teens' well-being.
Medicare's GLP-1 Bridge Program is off to a fast start. USC Schaeffer Scholar Jeremy Shane tells @npr.org the program's early success offers an opportunity to think more broadly about how to link medicine prices to value.
Drugstores say Medicare's $50 obesity drug program is catching on
The Bridge program, which began July 1, makes some Medicare beneficiaries eligible for obesity drugs for $50 a month. CVS and Walgreens say they've each already filled 100,000 such prescriptions.
www.npr.org
August 27, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Medicare's GLP-1 Bridge Program is off to a fast start. USC Schaeffer Scholar Jeremy Shane tells @npr.org the program's early success offers an opportunity to think more broadly about how to link medicine prices to value.
📅Voter turnout in the midterms will be shaped by an often-overlooked factor: friends & family. Join USC Schaeffer researchers and voting rights advocates on Sept. 15 for a conversation on how social circles influence voter intentions.
Register here: schaeffer.usc.edu/event/do-you...
Register here: schaeffer.usc.edu/event/do-you...
August 26, 2026 at 5:21 PM
📅Voter turnout in the midterms will be shaped by an often-overlooked factor: friends & family. Join USC Schaeffer researchers and voting rights advocates on Sept. 15 for a conversation on how social circles influence voter intentions.
Register here: schaeffer.usc.edu/event/do-you...
Register here: schaeffer.usc.edu/event/do-you...
Leading voices on the left and right incorrectly assume NIH funding and private research dollars are interchangeable. In reality, they are complementary investments that drive U.S. scientific leadership, USC Schaeffer's Darius Lakdawalla argues.
What the Left and Right Both Get Wrong About the NIH - August 24, 2026 - USC Schaeffer
Public and private research dollars are far from interchangeable. They're complementary investments that drive America's scientific leadership. - August 24, 2026
schaeffer.usc.edu
August 24, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Leading voices on the left and right incorrectly assume NIH funding and private research dollars are interchangeable. In reality, they are complementary investments that drive U.S. scientific leadership, USC Schaeffer's Darius Lakdawalla argues.
New USC Schaeffer research estimates that 52 million U.S. adults have experienced at least one long COVID symptom, including ~10 million whose symptoms have severely limited daily activities.
The need for effective long COVID treatments and surveillance remains urgent.
The need for effective long COVID treatments and surveillance remains urgent.
Long COVID Prevalence: Current Evidence - August 20, 2026 - USC Schaeffer
About 10 million Americans have experienced severe limitations in daily activities due to long COVID, underscoring the need for effective therapies and continued surveillance. - August 20, 2026
schaeffer.usc.edu
August 20, 2026 at 6:07 PM
New USC Schaeffer research estimates that 52 million U.S. adults have experienced at least one long COVID symptom, including ~10 million whose symptoms have severely limited daily activities.
The need for effective long COVID treatments and surveillance remains urgent.
The need for effective long COVID treatments and surveillance remains urgent.
Nearly 1 in 3 hospitals are now also insurers.
Writing in @theconversation.com, USC Schaeffer’s Grace Mackleby discusses the good, the bad and the unknown of what this growing trend could mean for costs and patient care.
Writing in @theconversation.com, USC Schaeffer’s Grace Mackleby discusses the good, the bad and the unknown of what this growing trend could mean for costs and patient care.
What happens when your hospital is also your insurance company? We’re starting to see the effects
Hospitals are tasked with making patients better, but when the hospital that provides care also owns the insurance company that pays for that care, the incentives get more complicated.
theconversation.com
August 19, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Nearly 1 in 3 hospitals are now also insurers.
Writing in @theconversation.com, USC Schaeffer’s Grace Mackleby discusses the good, the bad and the unknown of what this growing trend could mean for costs and patient care.
Writing in @theconversation.com, USC Schaeffer’s Grace Mackleby discusses the good, the bad and the unknown of what this growing trend could mean for costs and patient care.
Drug prices fell more sharply over the past year than at any point in more than 6 decades. USC Schaeffer’s Geoffrey Joyce tells @axios.com that market forces are driving much of this decline. www.axios.com/2026/08/17/d...
Why prescription drug prices are plunging
The decline comes amid a major Washington push to lower drug costs.
www.axios.com
August 17, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Drug prices fell more sharply over the past year than at any point in more than 6 decades. USC Schaeffer’s Geoffrey Joyce tells @axios.com that market forces are driving much of this decline. www.axios.com/2026/08/17/d...
Confidence in U.S. democracy and higher education are both declining. Adding a civics requirement for college freshmen could help address both issues, argue USC Schaeffer Scholars Anna Saavedra and Peter Levine.
Universities Must Start Graduating More Good Citizens - August 13, 2026 - USC Schaeffer
A civics requirement could help restore confidence in U.S. higher education and democracy itself. - August 13, 2026
schaeffer.usc.edu
August 13, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Confidence in U.S. democracy and higher education are both declining. Adding a civics requirement for college freshmen could help address both issues, argue USC Schaeffer Scholars Anna Saavedra and Peter Levine.