Sarah Young is taking the reins as the new executive director of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board and the Drug Price Transparency Program, as reported by the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR). With her extensive background in health policy, particularly in rural health care, Young is poised to tackle the immense challenge of drug affordability in Oregon. She formerly led the policy and research division at the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, managing a team of 17 and overseeing vital policy analysis and emergency response programs.
The wheel is set to be steered by Young in a new direction, having begun her tenure at DFR on October 6. "We were very fortunate to get someone with Sarah’s expertise and experience who wanted to come back to Oregon," said TK Keen, the DFR administrator and acting insurance commissioner, according to an announcement. Oregonians may expect a surge of insight brought from her federal experience into the state's endeavors to increase prescription drug affordability and transparency.
Returning to her Oregon roots, Young's hiring signals Oregon DFR's ongoing commitment to addressing prescription drug costs. Her notable work includes managing the Rural Health Clinic COVID-19 response and improving quality of care and operational efficiency within Critical Access Hospitals. Young's education, a master’s in public health from Portland State University, and prior roles underscore her preparedness for her new role at the helm of the state's prescription drug boards.
Joining Young in the mission to reform drug pricing, Michele Yoder embarks as a new member of the board, sharing her experience as the pharmacy director for the Multnomah County Health Department. Having served on the Oregon Pain Management Commission and the Oregon Health Resources Commission, with her years of service from 2013 to 2021, Yoder's insights are undoubtedly pivotal in navigating the complexities of health policy. The board, confirmed Dan Hartung, Christopher Laman, and Dan Kennedy for reappointments, aims to leverage these new perspectives to foster more equitable drug pricing strategies.
