Michael Ramlet graduated summa cum laude from the Carlson School in 2009 with a B.S. in business and public policy. Under the direction of Professor Parente, he was the first undergraduate student at the Carlson School to write a senior thesis. His thesis, which appears this month as a MILI Working Paper, evaluated the federal health IT incentives in the 2009 economic stimulus bill and the economics of provider electronic medical record adoption. Ramlet appeared on Fox Business Network Tuesday, August 3, discussing the impact of the new healthcare reform law on small businesses with Gerri Willis.

In June, Ramlet co-authored an analysis and commentary article, "Health Care Reform Is Likely To Widen Federal Budget Deficits, Not Reduce Them," with Douglas Holtz-Eakin in Health Affairs' theme issue on healthcare reform. The analysis examines the underpinnings of the Congressional Budget Office's budget projections and concluded that the savings estimates are built on a shaky foundation. Accounting for political and operational challenges, the article presents a more dynamic analysis of the health care reform law and reveals that budget deficits are likely to increase by more than $500 billion in the first 10 years and by nearly $1.5 trillion in the following decade.

Ramlet recently accepted a position with The American Action Forum, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank where he will be responsible for tracking and analyzing the implementation of health care reform. Previously he staffed the Advisory Board Company's Financial Leadership Council where he advised
hospital chief financial officers and finance departments. Michael founded a daily healthcare briefing, The Morning Consult, as an undergraduate, and he continues to make this informative newsletter available for free to University of Minnesota alumni.