Michael Smith, Director of Policy and Programs for the East Tennessee State University College of Public Health’s Center for Applied Research and Evaluation (CARE) in Women’s Health has been invited to serve on a national consensus committee convened by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM).
Dr. Smith will serve on the Committee on Health Care Financing to Improve Availability of Affordable Contraception, a high-level advisory group composed of leading experts in maternal and child health and reproductive health from across the country.
This consensus/advisory committee will review health care financing mechanisms to improve availability and affordability of reproductive health care services. They will distill lessons learned from various initiatives across the nation to identify effective strategies and provide evidence-based recommendations to inform policy and future program development.
“This appointment reflects Dr. Smith’s expertise in the field and reputation as an objective scientist of the highest caliber,” said Dr. Amal Khoury, Director of CARE Women’s Health. “We are excited to share the work and experiences of CARE Women’s Health on the national stage and the key role of ETSU in advancing access to essential health care services.”
The committee’s work will span financing mechanisms and coverage across major public and private systems. Their final report will provide actionable guidance for policymakers and public health organizations seeking to strengthen access to affordable contraception and reproductive health services nationwide.
“I’m honored and humbled to have been invited to participate on this committee,” said Smith. “I’m proud to represent ETSU in this work and bring perspectives from Appalachia and rural communities to these important conversations about access to health care services.”