Matthew Buettgens, Ph.D., is a mathematician and senior research associate at the Urban Institute’s Health Policy Center. He leads the development of the Urban Institute’s Health Insurance Policy Simulation Model. His recently published work analyzes aspects of national health insurance reform, including the costs and savings of health reform for federal and state governments, state-by-state analyses of changes in health insurance coverage, anticipated numbers of people remaining uninsured, the effect of reform on employers, etc.

The Octagon

The Octagon at Life University was created to foster dialogue and exchange on important social, political and conceptual issues based on Life University’s Eight Core Proficiencies. The Octagon creates an environment where questions and issues from every avenue of life can be embraced, discussed, debated and acted upon. As with most things in life it is not constrained by a lack of desire or need but only by limited human and financial resources. It is the intention of the University’s president, Dr. Guy Riekeman, for the Octagon to tackle important and controversial matters that will have long range impact and the potential for application in other fields. The Octagon does not seek to be reckless in its work but it does seek to be fearless in its charge, prepared to confront matters that frustrate society in a meaningful way. The Octagon can best be described as a think tank to promote world changing discussion related to healthcare and the human condition.