urban institute nonprofit social and economic policy research

Randall R. Bovbjerg

Randall R. Bovbjerg



Senior Fellow


"A lawyer by training, I have always preferred understanding law in action as opposed to law in books. I relish the opportunities at the Urban Institute to assess and explain the operations of public programs and public policy. It is unfortunate, however, that policy discussions are so frequently framed like courtroom battles between two polarized positions, whether in politics or media reports. Truth usually lies elsewhere, sometimes not even between two extremes, but on another plane altogether."

Currently, many of Bovbjerg's projects relate to health reform at national or state levels. During his career in health policy, he has studied topics ranging from the operations of Medicare's end stage renal disease program to insurance reform in Tanzania. His program assessments have ranged from case studies to analyses of large data sets. Bovbjerg has frequently worked with other centers at the Urban Institute, such as the Performance Management Program and the Labor, Human Services and Population Policy Center. Bovbjerg's first publication in health policy addressed health maintenance organizations and malpractice; his most recent, public health in the wake of national health reform. In between, he has written four books, over 100 other publications, and countless reports or working papers. Bovbjerg has also contributed to various literatures on public policy, medicine, and law. He frequently addresses audiences in government, academia, and the media. Concurrently, Bovbjerg has also served on editorial boards and commissions and has taught at the university level. In 2005, he received the McDonald-Merrill-Ketcham Award, from the Indiana University Schools of Medicine and Law-Indianapolis, for distinction in both law and medicine. Before coming to the Urban Institute, Bovbjerg was a practicing state insurance regulator and a volunteer health planner.

Areas of expertise

Health insurance and financing; competition, regulation, and the appropriate role for government action; health care organization and delivery; and the interactions of law and policy

Selected Publications from Randall R. Bovbjerg

  • Federal Subsidy for Laid-Off Workers' Health Insurance A First Year's Report Card for the New COBRA Premium Assistance
  • Making a Business Case for Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care Key Issues and Observations
  • The Nursing Workforce Challenge Public Policy for a Dynamic and Complex Market
  • Publications by topic:
    Washington D.C. and Region
    DC Health Care
    Health and Health Care
    Community-based Care
    Hospitals and Physicians
    Health Insurance

    See all publications by Randall R. Bovbjerg

    To contact this expert:
    Call the Office of Public Affairs (202) 261-5709

    Media Quotes and Appearances:

    http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/03/21/pm-health-care-law-turns-a-year-old/



    To contact this expert, call the Office of Public Affairs (202) 261-5709 or e-mail publicaffairs AT urban.org

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