Pitt Health Policy and Management

Join us in congratulating Assistant Professor Miranda Yaver, who is the recipient of two awards from the American Political Science Association.

The Emerging Scholar award recognizes a junior scholar (pre-tenure or equivalent) who is emerging as a leader in the field of health politics through their teaching, research, and service

The Outstanding Community Engagement Award honors someone who has contributed to health and health care system improvement through sustained engagement in the political and policymaking process.

Read Dr. Yaver's response to the latest honors: tinyurl.com/52e63yxr

In September 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) substantially increased the number of people eligible to purchase insurance for catastrophic health events.

In a new study in Health Affairs Scholar, HPM's Coleman Drake and Dylan Nagy examined the impact of expanded eligibility.

See their findings: tinyurl.com/3uxdhn4a

Join us in congratulating HPM Assistant Professor Travis Donahoe, who was named the 2026 Distinguished Young Alumnus by Marshall University.

Dr. Donahoe was recognized at the annual Alumni Awards banquet earlier this year!

Patients enrolled in some of the nation’s largest Medicare Advantage plans were denied requests for rehabilitation and other critical services at unusually high rates, according to a report released Thursday by the Department of Health and Human Services’ inspector general.

HPM's Miranda Yaver talked to NBC about the impacts of the denials.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/medicare-advantage-plans-denied-prior-authorization-requests-unusually-rcna349467

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, more young women opted for sterilization.

HPM's Jackie Ellison led a 2024 study that found an immediate increase in sterilization procedures in people aged 18 to 30 in the wake of the ruling.

She talked about reasons why some are opting for permanent contraception with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Read more: tinyurl.com/3pcrpxu5

HPM faculty and staff are dedicated to making sure students succeed both in the classroom and in whatever comes next.

MHA student Oliver says that dedication is one of the reasons he picked Pitt.

https://youtu.be/IU8QQ1VeS2E

Medicaid spent over $129 billion on home- and community-based services (HCBS) in 2022.

But as HPM's Amanda Kreider and other researchers found, complex financing structures obscure which services are used, who uses them, and how use varies across states.

See their findings: tinyurl.com/yznt2jek

HPM's MPH program is part of Pitt's 4+1 program, which allows students to earn both their bachelor's and master's degrees on an accelerated timeline.

MPH student Sabina says that, plus the opportunities for practical experience in HPM, are some of the reasons she chose Pitt.

https://youtu.be/cWXBWtV4LK8

H.R. 1 (a.k.a the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) enacted historic cuts to Medicaid and narrowed state flexibility that has long characterized the program.

HPM's Miranda Yaver looked at how new cost-sharing, work requirements and more frequent eligibility checks tie the hands of state policymakers and create burdens for those most in need of coverage.

Read more: tinyurl.com/44wb9dp6

Some places make you feel like a number among many students.

MHA student Paul says making personal connections is one reason he picked Pitt.

https://youtu.be/9QoaK-gQXXg