OCA UNDERSECRETARY BARBARA ANTHONY APPOINTED AS SENIOR FELLOW AT HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL

OCA UNDERSECRETARY  BARBARA ANTHONY APPOINTED AS SENIOR FELLOW AT HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL 

Will continue work on healthcare transparency at Harvard Kennedy School’s Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government  

The Patrick Administration today announced that Undersecretary of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) Barbara Anthony has been appointed a Senior Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School's Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government for the calendar year 2015.  At Harvard, Anthony will lead seminars and research healthcare issues with a focus on transparency in healthcare pricing and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.  Additionally, Anthony will be consulting to non-profits and business groups on healthcare strategies.  

“Barbara has been the driving force behind several of Governor Patrick’s key initiatives, most importantly containing health care costs for families and small businesses,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki. “At a personal level, Barbara has consistently been a wise mentor and advisor to me on issues extending well beyond consumer affairs, for which I will always be grateful.”

Anthony, a lawyer, was appointed by Governor Patrick in May 2009 to her current post and came from Health Law Advocates where she served as Executive Director for that non-profit healthcare access organization.  Previously, she served as Director of the Federal Trade Commission's Northeast Regional Office in New York under both Presidents Clinton and Bush.  Previously, Anthony headed up the Public Protection Bureau for 8 years under former Attorney General Scott Harshberger.  After beginning her career in the Justice Department's Antitrust Division, Anthony also served as Vice-President and Chief Compliance Officer for BayBanks, Inc.  

“I've enjoyed one of the best public service jobs in the state and have had the satisfaction of making a positive difference in the lives of Massachusetts consumers and small businesses. I now look forward to new challenges ahead at the Kennedy School and the private sector,” said Anthony. 

In her role as Undersecretary, Anthony oversaw the Divisions of Banks, Insurance, Standards, Professional Licensure and Telecommunications and Cable. 

During her time at the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, Anthony worked tirelessly to protect the rights and wellbeing of consumers across the state. In 2011, her office discovered that Starbucks was overcharging consumers for coffee and got the chain to change its practices.  The office also designed an app making it easier than ever for consumers to discover if they are eligible for remedy under the lemon law.  She remains a strong advocate for Massachusetts consumers while striving to maintain a competitive and fair playing field for the business community. 

Anthony will be serving out the remainder of her term and then begin her work at the Kennedy School.  She also plans to continue teaching Consumer Law and Business Regulation at Suffolk Law School.