Alyssa Kamara, a junior at the University at Albany, wins for her presentation, “Growth in common ownership in Medicare Part D party providers”

The 2023 University at Albany FLIP Competition invited students participating in UAlbany’s Showcase Day to share policy implications of their research

Albany, NY — The Rockefeller Institute of Government is pleased to announce Alyssa Kamara as the winner of the 2023 University at Albany Future Leaders in Policy (FLIP) Competition. Kamara’s presentation, “Growth in common ownership in Medicare Part D party providers,” won in a field of competitors across economics, political science, computer science, homeland security, and gender and sexuality studies.

The Future Leaders in Policy (FLIP) Competition is an annual competition from the Rockefeller Institute that gives State University of New York (SUNY) undergraduate and graduate students a chance to share their public policy research with New York State leaders, publish with the Rockefeller Institute of Government, and win a cash prize.

This year’s competition invited students participating in UAlbany’s inaugural Showcase Day—a full-day exhibition highlighting student research, academic work, experiential learning, and creative activities—to develop and share a presentation on the policy implications of their work to a panel of Rockefeller Institute scholars.

“We reviewed some outstanding presentations as part of this year’s FLIP Competition,” said Laura Schultz, executive director of research at the Rockefeller Institute. “These students are doing excellent research and the FLIP Competition helps connect that research to real-world policy opportunities and consequences.”

This year’s winner, Alyssa Kamara, is a junior at the University at Albany studying public health and economics. Her presentation explored the ownership of the private insurance companies that offer prescription drug coverage through Medicare Part D. Over the past decade, ownership of these insurance companies has become increasingly concentrated among a limited group of owners. This trend could result in reduced competition among insurance providers, driving up costs for enrollees and limiting access to low-cost plans. Kamara hopes to pursue a PhD in Public Health to study policy solutions that advance health equity and environmental justice.

More information about the Future Leaders in Policy Competition along with winners of prior years’ competitions can be found on the Rockefeller Institute website at rockinst.org/flip.