Ian Spatz

Ian Spatz is the founder and principal of Rock Creek Policy Group, which he established in 2009 to help clients navigate and shape U.S. health policy. He has a record of success counseling clients on issues affecting health care providers, insurers, pharmaceutical companies, and the public.

Career Highlights

Ian spent more than 15 years as a national advisor to Manatt Health, the strategy and consulting arm of the professional services firm Manatt, Phelps, and Phillips, LLC. In this role, he counseled clients on national health care policies and programs; pharmaceutical pricing; intellectual property protection; and policies related to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's regulation of the research, approval, manufacturing and marketing of medicines.

Prior to joining Manatt, Ian served 15 years at Merck & Company, Inc. As Merck’s vice president for health policy, he directed U.S. public policy and related public affairs activities and represented the company before Congress, the White House, and the media.

While at Merck, Ian led the successful five-year campaign that helped to develop and gain enactment of the Medicare prescription drug benefit, providing millions of American elderly and persons with disabilities with drug insurance for the first time.

Before joining Merck, Ian served as legislative director for Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ). In that role, he directed the senator's staff in developing and implementing legislative strategies, proposal drafting and floor action, including coordinating the passage of appropriations bills.

Academic Experience

Ian is a member of the faculty of the University of Southern California’s Price School of Public Policy where he teaches courses in health economics and health law. He is also a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of Health Affairs.

Beyond Policy

You can also find him umpiring high school and college baseball games in the California Bay Area and giving tours of San Francisco through San Francisco City Guides.

Education

Ian is a graduate of the New York University School of Law and earned a master’s degree from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs. He received his bachelor's degree from Brandeis University. He is a member of the bar of the District of Columbia (retired status).