Thomas Buchmueller

Thomas Buchmueller is the Waldo O. Hildebrand Professor of Risk Management and Insurance and Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. He also holds an academic appointment in the Department of Health Management and Policy at the School of Public Health. His research focuses on health economics, particularly the interplay between health insurance, labor markets, and public policy. He has conducted extensive studies on U.S. healthcare reform, Medicaid expansion, opioid policy, and international healthcare systems in France, Australia, and the Netherlands.

Education:

• PhD in Economics, University of Wisconsin (1992)
• BA in Economics, Carleton College (1985)

Research Interests: His work examines how health insurance policies affect access to care, healthcare utilization, and disparities in coverage. Key areas include the economic impacts of Medicaid expansion, prescription drug policies, and the Affordable Care Act’s effects on uninsured rates, particularly among marginalized groups. He has also analyzed the role of gatekeeping in healthcare systems and the effectiveness of prescription drug monitoring programs.

Policy Roles:

• Former Senior Health Economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers (2011–2012)
• Deputy Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2023–2025)
• Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Health Economics (2018–2023)

Awards & Affiliations: A Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER),他曾担任美国卫生经济学家协会 (ASHEcon) 董事会成员. His research has been widely published in top journals, with a focus on policy-relevant analysis.

Grants & Labs: His work is supported by NIH and other federal grants. He collaborates with interdisciplinary teams at the Ross School and School of Public Health, contributing to policy briefs and real-world healthcare solutions.