Measurably improving value in health through evidence-based policy solutions, research excellence, and private and public-sector engagement.
The Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics was established in 2009 at the University of Southern California through a generous gift from Leonard and Pamela Schaeffer. The Center reflects Mr. Schaeffer’s lifelong commitment to finding solutions to healthcare’s most pressing issues.
Since its inception, the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics has served as an intellectual hub for health policy and health economics research. A collaboration of the USC Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the USC Price School of Public Policy, the Schaeffer Center is home to more than 150 faculty, staff, and scholars, including four National Academy of Medicine members and three Nobel Laureates.
The USC Schaeffer Center researchers are highly cited in health economics. Collectively, the Center ranks 4th among 2,700+ institutions in health economics by IDEAS, the largest economics bibliographic database, making it one of the world’s top health policy research organizations.
It has achieved this recognition through a singular focus on its mission—to measurably improve value in health through evidence-based policy solutions, research, and educational excellence. Schaeffer Center researchers have garnered approximately $75 million in National Institutes of Health funding and more than $200 million in grants overall in pursuit of this mission.
Center experts are frequent advisors on national policy. They inform lawmakers, media, and private-sector leaders on today’s pressing healthcare challenges. Schaeffer scholars have served on 38 National Academies panels and provide expert testimony to congressional committees and working groups. They are regularly sought out by media outlets—including the New York Times, NPR, Stat, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post—to provide insight on health policy issues. Schaeffer research is a trusted resource, highly regarded on both sides of the aisle, and frequently cited by the White House, the Congressional Budget Office, the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Trade Commission, and other agencies.
The Schaeffer Center is one of two flagship programs at the Leonard D. Schaeffer Institute for Public Policy & Government Service, formed in 2024 to develop evidence-based solutions to policy issues and educate future generations of public service leaders.
Our Experts
The Schaeffer Center brings together health policy experts, a seasoned pharmacoeconomics team, faculty from across USC — including the Keck School of Medicine, the Dworak-Peck School of Social Work and the Viterbi School of Engineering — and a number of affiliated researchers from other leading universities to solve the pressing challenges in healthcare.
Our Priority Areas
The Schaeffer Center identifies opportunities to improve the performance of healthcare markets; increase value in healthcare delivery; improve health outcomes and reduce disparities; and foster better pharmaceutical policy and regulation through data-driven, interdisciplinary research.
Our Research
Our experts focus on work that informs lawmakers, media and private-sector leaders on pressing healthcare challenges and, most importantly, research that makes a vital impact on the lives of individuals everywhere. Research topics include healthcare reform, drug pricing, population health and disparities. The USC Schaeffer Center is proud to house nationally recognized Initiatives and Centers that leverage collaborations, interdisciplinary research and expertise to advance important and timely research.
Our Federally Funded Centers
Since its establishment in 2009, the Schaeffer Center has been awarded more than $65 million in grants to support work that aims to measurably improve value in health nationwide and around the world. Four NIH-funded centers are housed at the Schaeffer Center.
Our Partner Schools
The USC Schaeffer Center was created as a partnership between the USC Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the USC Price School of Public Policy, whose pharmacoeconomics and health policy experts remain at the center of our efforts.
Our Annual Reports
Every year the USC Schaeffer Center produces an annual report which highlights our work in our priority areas, faculty research, and offers an opportunity to thank our supporters.
Academic Freedom Statement
Freedom to inquire, research and explore ideas are principles at the heart of all universities and upheld by the Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics and the University of Southern California.
Conflict of Interest Statement
Schaeffer Center funding comes from a range of sources, including government entities, foundations, corporations, individuals and endowment. A complete list of supporters of the Schaeffer Center can be found in the Center’s annual reports (available here). At all times, the independence and integrity of the research is paramount.