On Jan. 8, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra announced via a press release that he has appointed Stacy Sanders to the role of Chief Competition Officer. The role was created last month as part of the Biden Administration’s efforts to lower healthcare and prescription drugs costs by promoting competition. A Counselor to the Secretary, Sanders oversees the Department's implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act, long-term care initiatives, policies to promote health care competition, and other Medicare work.
According to the press release, Sanders joined HHS in November 2022 after five years in the U.S. Senate, where she served as Staff Director of the Senate Special Committee on Aging for U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Jr.
The press release adds that “As Chief Competition Officer, Sanders is responsible for coordinating, identifying, and elevating opportunities across the Department to promote competition in healthcare markets. The Chief Competition Officer will play a leading role in working with the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice to address concentration in healthcare markets through data-sharing, reciprocal training programs, and the further development of additional healthcare competition policy initiatives. Sanders will also continue to lead efforts to lower costs for prescription drugs and health care services and implement the healthcare-focused elements of the President’s 2021 Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy.”
Becerra was quoted in the release saying that “As the counselor leading HHS’s work to implement the President’s drug price negotiation law, Stacy has successfully taken on some of the most difficult challenges facing HHS. Her stewardship has made a meaningful difference in helping Americans save money on their prescription drug costs. I look forward to seeing her build upon this work and ensure the health care marketplace remains competitive.”
HHS has the press release.
