ADVISORY: U.S. PIRG Education Fund’s health policy expert to cohost Lown Institute Shkreli Awards

Annual list (dis)honors ‘worst examples of profiteering and dysfunction in American health care’

WASHINGTON —  On Tuesday, January 7, the Lown Institute will announce the winners of its 2024  Shkreli Awards. The Lown Institute gives these “awards” each year to its “Top Ten” perpetrators of health care profiteering, fraudulent medical billing practices and dangerous health care delivery.

Patricia Kelmar, U.S. PIRG Education Fund’s senior director for health care campaigns, will co-host the ceremony with the Lown Institute’s Dr. Vikas Saini and health care journalist Gary Schwitzer. Kelmar will discuss the shameful behavior of individuals and health care businesses exposed by the media in the last year.

“It’s horrifying to realize the myriad ways that unscrupulous people and businesses harm patients’ health and finances and defraud our government,” said Kelmar. “We applaud all journalists who spend months tracking down these stories, talking to patients, following the money trail and finding the evidence. Without their diligence, compassion and fact-finding, advocates including PIRG would be less effective in calling on decision makers and law enforcement to crack down on overbilling and dangerous practices.”

Members of the press interested in attending are invited to watch the ceremony online.

WHAT: 2024 Lown Institute Shkreli Awards

WHEN: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 1:00 -2:00 p.m. E.T.. 

WHERE:  Online, register today.

WHO: Vikas Saini, Lown Institute President and Patricia Kelmar, U.S. PIRG’s senior director for health care campaigns,  Gary Schwitzer, health care journalist

***Co-host Patricia Kelmar will be available for interviews after the event.***