The New America Foundation today announced that Health Policy Program Director Len M. Nichols is departing to become Professor of Health Policy and Director of the Center for Health Policy Research and Ethics at George Mason University. Dr. Nichols will continue to consult with New America as the federal health reform debate continues. Julie Barnes, Deputy Director of the Health Policy Program since January 2008, will serve as Acting Director during the national search for Dr. Nichols’ replacement.
During his tenure at New America, Dr. Nichols made outstanding contributions to the health reform policy conversation. As early as 2007, he published his vision of comprehensive and bipartisan reform (“A Sustainable Health System for All Americans”). His 2009 publication with John Bertko (“A Modest Proposal for a Competing Public Health Plan”) drew wide attention and support as an effective compromise to the polarizing public option debate.
Dr. Nichols also testified frequently before Congress and other key audiences, bridging the worlds between health economics and policy research, and facilitated collaborations between multiple health system stakeholders. One group he created and directed, for example -- "Health CEOs for Health Reform" -- helped policymakers realize that leaders of hospitals, clinics, insurance and drug companies agree that delivery system reform is a necessary and feasible partner of health insurance reform.
“Len has had a tremendous positive impact on one of America’s most complex and pressing policy issues, and we look forward to continued collaboration with him,” New America President Steve Coll said. “Inspired by his example, New America remains committed to continuing the mission of advancing a nonpartisan national discussion about comprehensive health reform and to work toward the best policy solutions.”
“I’d always intended to return to academia eventually, and I’m excited by this new opportunity at George Mason” Dr. Nichols said. “Obviously, I wish the reform efforts were a little further along than they are at this point, but New America has been the perfect home for pushing our agenda this far. I look forward to continuing our collaboration.”
About the New America Foundation
The New America Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy institute that invests in new thinkers and new ideas to address the next generation of challenges facing the United States.
The foundation is led by President Steve Coll and an outstanding Board of Directors, chaired by Eric Schmidt. New America is headquartered in Washington D.C. and also has a significant presence in California, the nation's largest laboratory of democracy.
