Miriam J. Laugesen, PhD

Miriam J. Laugesen is a political scientist. Much of her research is focused on the design and politics of physician payment policy within Medicare. Laugesen received a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Investigator Award for a project titled “The Politics of Relative Values,” which explores why Medicare payment reforms fell short of their original objectives to contain costs and equalize payment between primary care physicians and specialists. The study investigates ways to encourage more coordinated, effective, and better-compensated primary care for Medicare beneficiaries.

Her international health policy research explores democratic participation, public opinion on health care and cross-border health care. She also studies the economics of mandated benefits, coverage expansions, public opinion, and the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine policies at the state level.