Zack Cooper Testifies Before US Senate Committee on Finance

On June 8, 2023, Tobin Center Associate Faculty Director Zack Cooper testified before the US Senate Committee on Finance, serving as a key expert for the hearing “Consolidation and Corporate Ownership in Health Care: Trends and Impacts on Access, Quality, and Costs.” See the full hearing here.

In his testimony, Dr. Cooper focused on how the US health care system impacts employment and economic opportunity, particularly for those working outside the health sector. Noting that insurance premiums in the US have gone up 215%—markedly faster than growth in median household income—he argued that provider consolidation is one of the leading drivers of health spending and health insurance premium growth in the US. Because the US relies on employer-sponsored health insurance to cover over 150 million people, he also described how rising health insurance premiums create economic consequences far outside the health system.

Zack’s full testimony, and the recording of the hearing is available on the Committee’s website: Consolidation and Corporate Ownership in Health Care: Trends and Impacts on Access, Quality, and Costs.

View Zack's research on his personal website here.