Penn health economist on shaping Medicare’s future

Medicare now covers more than 67 million people. Enrollment is expected to keep rising as the population ages, increasing both the program’s reach and the stakes of the policy choices around it. At the same time, Medicare faces persistent financing pressures; rapid changes in care delivery; and growing debate over how best to pay for care, encourage innovation, and protect beneficiaries.

These are the kinds of problems that Amol Navathe, MD, PhD, will tackle as the new chair of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, or MedPAC, the independent congressional agency that advises lawmakers on Medicare payment policy, access to care, quality, and other issues affecting the program. Navathe, a professor of Health Policy and Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine and a senior fellow at Penn’s Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, takes on the role at a pivotal moment for Medicare, charged with helping figure out how to sustain the program financially while preserving access and quality for millions of older adults and people with disabilities.

Navathe, a practicing internal medicine physician and nationally recognized health policy researcher, has long focused on improving care delivery and outcomes while making health care more affordable. He previously served as a MedPAC commissioner and vice chair, bringing experience as a clinician, researcher, and policy leader to the role. Here, he shares what the appointment means, why MedPAC’s evidence-based work matters, and the challenges and opportunities ahead for Medicare.

What does it mean to be appointed chair of MedPAC, and what responsibilities come with the role?

MedPAC’s 17 members bring a wide range of expertise in health care financing and delivery, and I think that diversity of perspective is one of the commission’s greatest strengths. As chair, my responsibility is to help keep the commission focused on its core mission: providing Congress with rigorous, independent analysis and advice aimed at improving the Medicare program and the health and welfare of its beneficiaries. 

Why is MedPAC’s independent, evidence-based analysis especially important right now?

I believe MedPAC serves Congress and the American people best by providing objective, empirically driven analysis and recommendations. At a time when Medicare is facing significant financial pressures and rapid change across the health care system, that kind of nonpartisan, data-driven guidance is essential to helping policymakers make informed decisions for patients and taxpayers. 

What interested you most about serving on MedPAC in this capacity?

My earlier service on MedPAC underscored me the important role the commission plays in supporting Congress with independent, nonpartisan analysis. I was drawn to the opportunity to help strengthen the sustainability and efficiency of the Medicare program, and I’ve also valued the chance to work with and learn from MedPAC’s staff and my fellow commissioners. 

What do you see as some of the biggest challenges and opportunities for Medicare in the years ahead?

Financial sustainability is top of mind for me, especially as new technologies such as AI-based devices and services continue to emerge. The challenge will be balancing access to promising innovations with financial prudence for beneficiaries and taxpayers, such as AI technologies that autonomously provide health care services like cognitive-behavioral therapy to people with depression. 

At the same time, I see an opportunity for Medicare policy to continue evolving in ways that support better care delivery like improving access to behavioral health care, driving improved outcomes, and long-term program sustainability. 

How does your background shape the perspective you will bring to the commission?

I’ve had the opportunity to work in many different parts of U.S. health care—as a researcher studying the Medicare program, through government service, and in roles connected to health plans and care delivery. For example, the work we started at MedPAC while I was vice chair on supporting the safety net broadly is heavily informed by research and operational experience examining how rural populations and beneficiaries in both Medicare and Medicaid seek care. 

I hope that broad experience helps me understand the different perspectives commissioners bring to the table, whether they are analyzing policy and data or leading organizations that deliver care. My goal is to bring that perspective to the commission’s work in a way that supports thoughtful, balanced recommendations. 

Looking ahead, what would success look like for you during your time as chair?

For me, success means continuing to advance MedPAC’s mission of delivering high-credibility, trusted analysis that serves Congress well. The commission’s value comes from being rigorous, independent, and focused on the long-term health of the Medicare program and the people who rely on it. If we can help policymakers navigate difficult issues with clear, evidence-based recommendations, that will be meaningful progress.