Join the Mackinac Center for Public Policy for a timely Issues & Ideas event exploring the complex and controversial world of drug pricing. Experts will examine the impact of federal policies — including the 340B drug pricing program and recent reforms under the Inflation Reduction Act — on patients, providers and the broader healthcare system.
The conversation will also highlight ongoing research suggesting that new price controls may reduce seniors’ access to critical medications, particularly as rebates and other incentives disappear from the marketplace.
But it isn’t just federal policies. Increasingly, states have dipped their toes into price controls and subsidies, without considering the trade-offs of these policies. If you’re concerned about how policy changes affect drug availability and healthcare affordability, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.
Program: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
The Louie Building
Freedom Hall (6th Floor)
123 W. Allegan St.
Lansing, MI 48933
Call our Events office at
This event is free, but RSVP is required by April 30.
Register online
Peter Fotos is a deputy vice president of State Advocacy for the Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America. Previously, he conducted outreach to the United States Senate on pharmaceutical issues related to Medicare, Medicaid, the Food and Drug Administration and intellectual property rights. Peter also worked for 11 years on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. and served as the Staff Director for the Subcommittee on Primary Health at the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Naomi Lopez brings over 30 years of experience and is a nationally recognized health care policy expert. She is founder and principal of Nexus Policy Consulting, an adjunct scholar at the Mackinac Center, and a Public Advisor at Paragon Health Institute. Naomi is the co-founder of the AI in Healthcare Working Group and is regularly featured in the national media. She has penned hundreds of scholarly articles, studies and commentaries. She holds a B.A. in economics from Trinity University, Texas, and an M.A. in government from The Johns Hopkins University.
Dr. William S. Smith is a visiting fellow in the life sciences at the Massachusetts-based Pioneer Institute. Dr. Smith has 25 years of experience in government and in corporate roles. His career includes senior staff positions for the Republican House leadership on Capitol Hill, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Massachusetts Governor’s office, where he served under governors Weld and Cellucci. He spent 10 years at Pfizer, Inc. as vice president of public affairs and policy, where he was responsible for Pfizer’s corporate strategies for the U.S. policy environment. He later served as a consultant to major pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies. Dr. Smith earned his Ph.D. in political science with distinction at the Catholic University of America.
Parking is solely your responsibility. We do not have access to discounts or free parking in downtown Lansing. There are a number of parking garages and metered parking throughout downtown.
Parking is available at meters located around the building and throughout downtown using the Passport Parking app. Using the app, you simply enter your "zone" code and link to a credit card. There is a 4 hour maximum at the meters. You cannot extend your parking pass time without moving to a different zone. Pay online or download the Passport Parking phone app www.passportparking.com
South Grand Ramp
201 S Grand Ave
Lansing, Ml 48933
Allegan Parking Ramp
corner of, W Allegan St & S Capitol Ave
Lansing, Ml 48933
Capitol Public Parking
231 S Capitol Ave
Lansing, Ml 48933
Townsend Street Parking Ramp
221 Townsend St
Lansing, Ml 48933
