Waltham, MA, September 24, 2026 — What is driving healthcare costs, and what are the main factors reshaping the healthcare system? Those are among the issues Yale health economist Zack Cooper will explore as the keynote speaker at the 2027 WCRI Issues & Research Conference, March 11–12 in Boston.

Cooper’s keynote will examine the drivers of growth and geographic variation in the general healthcare system, the effect of competition in hospital and insurance markets, and what these trends could mean for the workers’ compensation system.

“Right now, we are seeing significant changes in the economy and the general healthcare system that have the potential to affect outcomes for injured workers and workers’ compensation claims,” said Ramona Tanabe, WCRI president and CEO. “Dr. Cooper brings a unique perspective on these changes, and we look forward to hearing how he sees them affecting workers’ compensation.”

Cooper is an Associate Professor of Public Health and Associate Professor of Economics at Yale University. His research has been published in leading economics and medical journals, including the Quarterly Journal of Economics and the New England Journal of Medicine, and he has presented his research at the White House, U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The conference brings together insurers, employers, policymakers, labor advocates, and healthcare practitioners from across the country to examine the issues shaping workers’ compensation. The 2027 event will feature WCRI’s latest research on economic conditions and their impact on claims outcomes, access to care, mental health, prescription drug payments, and benchmark findings.

Early registrants can save $100 by registering before February 11. Learn more about the conference agenda and sponsorship opportunities.

ABOUT WCRI

The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) is an independent, not-for-profit research organization based in Waltham, MA. Founded in 1983, WCRI produces objective, peer-reviewed studies on workers’ compensation systems, using rigorous data collection and scientific methods. Funded by a diverse membership that includes employers, insurers, government agencies, health care providers, and labor organizations, WCRI’s research is used by policymakers and other system stakeholders to better understand workers’ compensation systems and inform decision-making.