Richard Hughes IV

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Bio

Richard Hughes IV, J.D., M.P.H. is a Professorial Lecturer in Law at the The George Washington University Law School and former Professorial Lecturer in Health Policy & Management at the Milken Insitute School of Public Health. He is a nationally recognized vaccine thought leader and has led many efforts to expand access to vaccines and preventive services and improve public health outcomes.

Professor Hughes is the former Vice President of Public Policy at Moderna. He previously founded and led the vaccines and preventive services group at Avalere Health, a Washington healthcare consultancy. He is also a former practicing attorney with the Washington law firm Epstein Becker Green, where he advised health care entities on a range of legal, regulatory and policy matters. Prior to practicing law, Professor Hughes served in several health policy leadership roles.

He was a gubernatorial appointee to the Arkansas State Board of Health, where he deliberated public health policy, co-presided over appeals before the state health department, and advocated progressive immunization policies. Professor Hughes then served as Director of State Health Policy at the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, and later as Associate Director of Policy with Merck & Co., Inc., advising and working with state health agencies on public health policy issues.

During law school at The George Washington University, Professor Hughes served as legal research assistant to Professor Sara Rosenbaum, renowned health law scholar and Founding Chair of the Department of Health Policy. His studies at law school included an intensive independent study of the United States health insurance regulatory framework. In addition to his Juris Doctor, Professor Hughes holds a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He is a member of the District of Columbia Bar and the national Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health.

Expertise

Expertise:

Access to Health Care

Federal and State Legislation, Laws and Policies

Health Law

Health Policy

Health Professions

Health Insurance

Health Reform

Immunization Law and Policy

State Health Issues

Health Quality

Managed Care

Medicaid and SCHIP

Medicare

Education:

Juris Doctor, The George Washington University Law School

Master of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Bachelor of Science, Arkansas State University

Teaching:

Vaccines & Preventive Services (Law 6409), Spring 2022

State Health Policy (PUBH 6356), Fall 2015

Health Law & Policy (HSML 6267) Spring, Summer (2 sections) and Fall 2016

State Health Policy (PUBH 3199), Fall 2017, Fall 2018

State Health Policy, Residency Fellowship Rotation in Health Policy, The George Washington University, School of Medicine/Milken Institute School of Public Health, Fall/Spring 2015-2018

Community Service:

State Boards of Health Working Group (2011-2013), National Association of Local Boards of Health

Executive Committee, State Health Research & Policy Interest Group (2009-2010), AcademyHealth

Planning Committee, Public Health Law & Policy Conference (2009-2010)

Member, Arkansas State Board of Health (2005-2009)

Publications

Publications:

REFEREED JOURNAL ARTICLES

Stires, H, LaMori, J, Chow, W, Zalewski, Z, Vidulich, A, Avina, M, Sloan, C, Hughes RH, Hardy, H, Weight Gain and Related Co-Morbidities Following Antiretroviral Initiation in the 2000s: A Systematic Literature Review, Manuscript accepted by AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses.

Shen, A, Hughes, RH, DeWald, E, Rosenbaum, S, Pisani, A, Orenstein, W, Ensuring Equitable Access To COVID-19 Vaccines In The US: Current System Challenges And Opportunities, 40 Health Affairs, 1:62-69 (2021).

Hughes, RH, Klein, Z, Assessing US Traveler Vaccination Access: An Evaluation of US Requirements for Healthcare Payer Coverage of Recommended Travel Vaccines, 27 J. Travel Med, 6:1-3 (2020).

Hughes, RH, With a Worthless Services Hammer, Everything Looks Like a Nail: Litigating Quality of Care Under the False Claims Act, 37 J. Legal Med 01-02:65-104 (2017).

Hughes, RH, Ramdhanie, K, Wasserman, T, Moscetti, C, State Boards of Health: Governance and Politics, 39 Suppl.J. Law Med Ethics 1:37-41 (2011).

BOOK CHAPTERS

Hughes, RH, Atlas, RF, Paying for Person-Centered Care: the Role of Health Care Payment and Quality Policy. In Donald Zimmerman, et al. ed., Person-Focused Health Care Management: A Foundational Guide for Health Care Managers. 2016, Springer Publishing.

Hughes, RH, Legal and Ethical Issues in Person-Centered Care. In Donald Zimmerman, et al. ed., Person-Focused Health Care Management: A Foundational Guide for Health Care Managers. 2016, Springer Publishing.

Yeung, LR, Kim, B, Hughes, RH, The Road to Value-Based Payments: Considerations for Provider Engagement. In John Steiner, ed., Health Law and Compliance Update, 2017 Ed. 2016, Aspen.

COMMENTARIES

Trost, A, Jones Pratt, K, Hughes, RH, David, C, Hyer, R, As Frontline Workers, Routine and Seasonal Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel Should be Prioritized During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Health Affairs Blog (March 17, 2021).

Belowich, E, Jones Pratt, K, Fifer, S, Solis, P, Hughes, RH, Increased Reimbursement May Help Overcome Barriers To Administration Of Seasonal And Routine Vaccines, Health Affairs Blog (Dec. 9, 2020).

Hughes, RH, Nam, D, Diamond, N, Hopkins, C, Rosacker, N, Aviña, The Pharmacist’s Role in COVID-19 Response Efforts, Health Affairs Blog (July 23, 2020).

Hughes, RH, HIV Vaccine Awareness: Ensuring a Path for Prevention, FiercePharma (Sponsored by Avalere Health | May 18, 2020).

Greenway, T, interview with Hughes, RH, Cappio, K, How to improve vaccine access in the US healthcare system, New Scientist | Health Awareness (Sponsored by Avalere Health | April 27, 2020).

Hughes, RH, Cappio, K, Fix, A Ensuring COVID-19 Vaccine Affordability: Existing Mechanisms Should Not Be Overlooked, Health Affairs Blog (March 30, 2020).

Hughes, RH, As Presidential Candidates Debate Sweeping Health Care Proposals, Preventive Coverage Opportunities Are Overlooked, Health Affairs Blog (January 29, 2020).

Shen, K, Hughes RH, Sobel, E, Fix, A, Shaw, M, Shaping The 2020 National Vaccine Plan, Health Affairs Blog (December 16, 2019).

Hughes, RH, Sloan, C, Vidulich, A, Chepigin, C, Aviña, M, Ending An Epidemic Requires Multiple Interventions: Considerations For Developing And Harmonizing HIV Preventive Recommendations, Health Affairs Blog (November 13, 2019).

Hughes, RH, Fix, A, As Advancements In Treatment Drive A Newborn Screening Evolution, Will States And The Federal Government Be Able To Keep Up?, Health Affairs Blog (August 24, 2019).

Hughes, RH, Napoles, A, Liow, C, Linking Vaccines And Quality: A Public Health Imperative In A Value-Based Era, Health Affairs Blog (May 24, 2019).

Hughes, RH, Maxim, R, Fix, A, Vague Vaccine Recommendations May Be Leading To Lack Of Provider Clarity, Confusion Over Coverage, Health Affairs Blog (May 7, 2019).

Hughes, RH, Rosacker, N, Sloan, C, Coverage Of Federally Recommended Preventive Services: Considerations For Eliminating HIV Transmission By 2030, Health Affairs Blog (April 9, 2019).

Hughes, RH, Vaccine Exemptions And The Federal Government’s Role, Health Affairs Blog (March 21, 2019).

Hughes, RH, et al, Lack of Clarity on Preventive Services Recommendations May Create Access Barriers, Avalere Health, Insights Article (December 20, 2018).

Hughes, RH, Fingold, H, Network Adequacy: A Multimarket Recap of 2015 and Looking Ahead, Health Law Advisor Blog (Feb. 24, 2016).

Gerson, SM, Wanerman, RE, Hughes, RH, Supreme Court Rules That Providers and Suppliers Cannot Challenge Medicaid Reimbursement Rates in Federal Court, Epstein Becker Green, Health Care and Life Sciences Client Alert (Apr. 13, 2015).

Hughes, RH. Combine Both Plans for Health Care Reform [Special Guest Column]. Arkansas Democrat Gazette, p. 7B (Oct 13, 2008).

Hughes, RH. Prevention is Priority of Vaccine Program [Special Guest Column]. Arkansas Democrat Gazette, p. 9B (Mar. 15, 2007).

REFEREED PRESENTATIONS

Hughes, RH, Petrilla, A, Kane, R, Liow, C, Shaw, M, Trost, A, Vaccine Uptake in Older Adult Medicare Beneficiaries: A claims-based analysis, National Immunization Conference, Atlanta, GA (2020); NOT PRESENTED DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

Hughes, RH, Shen, A, Kane, R, Cole, M, Liow, C, Sobel, E, Diamond, N, Shaw, M, Trost, A, Kornfield, T, Understanding the Impact of Vaccine Coverage Policy Reforms to Medicare, National Immunization Conference, Atlanta, GA (2020); NOT PRESENTED DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

Hughes, RH, Sobel, E, Diamond, N, Dagne, H, Trost, A, Understanding and Reforming a Policy Patchwork: Medicare Coverage of Vaccines, , National Immunization Conference, Atlanta, GA (2020); NOT PRESENTED DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

Fix, A, Sobel, E, Hughes RH, State-Level Strategies to Implement an Adult Vaccine Safety Net: Considerations for Stakeholders, National Immunization Conference, Atlanta, GA (2020); NOT PRESENTED DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

Chepigin, C, Shaw, M, Kane, R, Hughes, RH, Petrilla, A, A Comprehensive Analysis of Influenza Vaccine Uptake in Medicare, National Immunization Conference, Atlanta, GA (2020); NOT PRESENTED DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

Liow, C, Chepigin, C, Shen, A, Hughes, RH, Petrilla, A, Unraveling RSV Disease Burden, National Immunization Conference, Atlanta, GA (2020); NOT PRESENTED DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

Sobel, E, Hughes R, State-Level Policy Strategies Needed to Improve Adult Immunization Uptake, National Immunization Conference, Atlanta, GA (2018).

Hughes, R, Liow, C, Understanding the Current Role of Immunization Measures in Quality-Based Policies, National Immunization Conference, Atlanta, GA (2018).

Hughes, RH, Albader, B, Orlino, A. State Boards of Health: A Closer Look at Roles and Relationships. National Association of Local Boards of Health, Omaha, NE (2010).

Hughes, RH, Wasserman, T, Moscetti, C, Jarris, P. Role of State Boards of Health in the Public Health System, Public Health Systems & Services Research Keeneland Conference, Lexington, KY (2010).

Hughes, RH, Sutaria, S. State Emergency Powers in Imminent Threat Scenarios: Comparative Analysis, Practice Implications & Policy Considerations, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Summit, Atlanta, GA (2010).

Hughes, RH, Ryan, KW, Hogan, RD. Higher Education Pre-Matriculation Immunization Requirements: A Comprehensive Assessment and Policy/Program Considerations, American Public Health Association 137th Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA (2009).

Ryan, KW, Hughes, RH. Pre-matriculation requirements for colleges and universities: Is it time for all states to mandate as a condition of entry?, American Public Health Association 137th Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA (2009).

REFEREED CONFERENCE POSTERS

Chepigin, C, Adelsberg, M, Hughes, R, Kane, R, A Comprehensive Analysis of Influenza Vaccine Uptake in Medicare, National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit, Atlanta, GA (2019).

Sobel, E, Hughes R, Immunization and “Repeal and Replace”: How Congressional Efforts to Undo the Affordable Care Act Would Have Impacted Immunization Coverage and Access, National Immunization Conference, Atlanta, GA (2018).

Liow, C, Hughes R, Linking Vaccines and Quality Policy: Identifying Opportunities to Drive Immunization Uptake in a Value-Based Environment, National Immunization Conference, Atlanta, GA (2018).

REPORTS AND WHITEPAPERS

Liow, C, Hughes, RH, Petrilla, A, Kumar, S, Trost, A, Shaw, M, Cole, M, Kornfield, T, Medicare Spent $106B on Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Over 3 Years, Avalere Health, Insight Article (June 2, 2020).

Hughes, RH, Avina, M, Francis, M, Dagne, H, OLaughlin, C, Diamond, N, Medicare Part D Plans Continue to Require Cost Sharing for Vaccines, Avalere Health, Insight Article (April 16, 2020).

Hughes, RH, et al, Fewer Seniors Get Vaccinated as Their Out-of-Pocket Costs Increase, Avalere Health, Insights Article (July 19, 2018).

Hughes, RH, et al, Policymakers Seek to Balance Patient Information Sharing with Privacy Protections, Avalere Health, Insights Article (April 20, 2018).

Hughes, RH, Sobel E, Vaccine Coverage Requirements Vary By Market, Avalere Health, Insights Article (April 18, 2017).

Hughes RH, et al. Exploring Third Party Billing for Vaccines by State Public Health Entities. Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (March 2010).

Sellers K, Hughes RH, Pearsol J, Elliot PI. State Perspectives on the Use of Fiscal Intermediaries. Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. Submitted to Thomas Frieden, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (November 2009).