Garen Corbett named director of California Health Benefits Review Program
October 25, 2011 •
Garen Corbett has been named director of the California Health Benefits Review Program (CHBRP), a University of California–administered program whose faculty and staff analysts provide independent analyses to the state Legislature.
Corbett’s appointment is effective Nov. 1. He has been CHBRP’s interim director since August and joined the program as principal analyst in early 2010, bringing with him more than 13 years of policy and health care business experience. Previously, he was deputy director of the Health Industry Forum at Brandeis University, which works on reimbursement and health technology issues with policymakers and business executives.
“Garen will provide accomplished leadership as CHBRP faces the challenges of a changing policy environment generated by health reform,” said Dr. John Stobo, UC senior vice president for health sciences and services, in announcing the appointment.
Established in 2002, CHBRP provides the state Legislature with independent analysis of the medical, financial and public health impacts of bills that mandate or repeal health insurance benefits, ranging from services to help smokers quit to health care reform.
A small analytic staff at UCOP works with a task force of faculty from several UC campuses, Loma Linda University, Stanford University and the University of Southern California as well as actuarial consultants to complete each analysis during a 60-day period. The state funds CHBRP through a yearly assessment on health plans and insurers in California.
“CHBRP is a great example of UC faculty coming together to help inform policy,” Corbett said. “We’re a trusted source for unbiased analysis. Bringing academic-level rigor to the policymaking process is a real asset for California. We hear that from stakeholders on all sides of the political spectrum.”
Corbett, who succeeds Susan Philip, has a master’s degree in public affairs from the University of Massachusetts and a bachelor’s degree in sociology and American studies with honors from Brandeis University.
