Jonathan Oberlander

Jonathan Oberlander is Professor of Social Medicine in the UNC School of Medicine and Professor of Health Policy & Management in the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with an adjunct appointment in Political Science.

He earned a PhD (1995), MPhil (1993), and MA (1990) in Political Science from Yale University and a BA (1989) in Political Science from UNC Chapel Hill.

His research centers on U.S. health care politics, specializing in Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, and health policy polarization. Author of The Political Life of Medicare and co-editor of the Social Medicine Reader series, he translates complex policy for medical professionals and public audiences through frequent media commentary in outlets like the New York Times and NPR.

Recent publications (2021-2025) reveal consistent focus on political barriers to health reform, Medicare sustainability, and polarization's impact on policy. Key themes include Medicaid unraveling, prescription drug pricing, and the tension between universal coverage aspirations and political realities in the Biden era.

Dr. Oberlander teaches health policy to medical students and public health undergraduates/Master's/PhD candidates, emphasizing real-world policy translation for diverse audiences including community groups and healthcare professionals.