In the complex world of health-care policy, outdated regulations can create significant barriers for both patients and professionals. Sriparna Ghosh and James Bailey are leading the charge to transform health care by advocating for critical reforms in occupational licensing and certificate-of-need (CON) laws.
Ghosh, an assistant professor at the University of Cincinnati, has gained international recognition for her research on licensing reform. Her work, cited by organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), demonstrates how restrictive licensing laws limit the mobility of health-care workers, especially in times of crisis. James Bailey, a senior research affiliate at the Knee Regulatory Research Center, has focused on CON laws, advocating for reforms that increase access to care while reducing costs. Ghosh received $8,000 in IHS grants, and Bailey was provided with funding for course buyouts and research projects.
Both scholars have benefited from IHS networking opportunities, attending conferences and workshops where they connected with policymakers and other researchers. IHS provided the platform for Bailey to present his research on CON law reform, which has shaped policy debates in states like Alaska and Florida. Ghosh’s paper, “Nurse Licensure Compact and Mobility,” was cited by the WHO in its policy brief on health-care worker mobility during the pandemic, influencing how countries address workforce shortages. Meanwhile, Bailey’s research on CON laws was referenced in testimony supporting CON repeal in Alaska, contributing to a broader movement to reduce health-care costs and improve access.
Through their research, Sriparna Ghosh and James Bailey are reshaping health care by advocating for regulatory reforms that benefit both patients and health-care workers. With continued support from IHS, they are paving the way for a more efficient and fair health-care system.
By supporting IHS, you invest in scholars at a formative stage in their careers. Not only with crucial financial support, but with inspiration and connections to other like-minded and driven intellectual collaborators that they can’t find from any other funder.
