Stuart Altman

Stuart Altman- Influential Health Policy Leader, Mentor and Beloved Family Man

Stuart Altman, 88, January 1, 2026, a pioneering health economist whose work shaped American healthcare policy for more than five decades, has died. A visionary public servant and trusted advisor, Stuart was equally known for his intellect, generosity, and rare ability to connect with people from all walks of life.

Over the course of his career, he advised five U.S. presidential administrations and played a central role in shaping Medicare and national health policy. He served for 12 years as chairman of the congressionally mandated Prospective Payment Assessment Commission, helping guide Congress on Medicare’s hospital payment system, and later served on President Bill Clinton’s National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare. In Massachusetts, he chaired the Health Policy Commission from its inception, monitoring health care cost trends and making health care policy recommendations across the state.

Stuart was the Sol C. Chaikin Professor of National Health Policy at Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy and Management, where he also served multiple terms as dean and as interim president of Brandeis University from 1990 to 1991. He taught and mentored generations of students, policymakers, and scholars, many of whom credit him with shaping not only their careers but their values. His scholarship and leadership earned him widespread recognition and numerous lifetime achievement awards, reflecting the respect he commanded across academia, government, and industry.

For all his professional accomplishments, Stuart’s greatest legacy may be the way he treated people. He could communicate with equal ease to presidents, CEOs, students, and strangers, always seeking to understand and discuss ideas with everyone he met.

Stuart’s passing is a profound loss to all of the people he ever met and interacted with. But especially to those who he loved and who loved him the most: His predeceased wife Diane, his three daughters, Beth Altman Marcus, Renee Altman Nefussy, and Heather Altman. His three sons-in-law, Scott Marcus, David Nefussy and James Shortridge and of course, his five beloved granddaughters; Taylor Altman Nefussy, Allison Altman Marcus, Rachel Altman Marcus, Sydney Altman Shortridge and Leah Altman Shortridge. He is also survived by his brother Edward, and his wife Elaine Altman, and his sister, Ellen Stein. He will be remembered as a devoted family man whose warmth, humor, and kindness matched the depth of his intellect.

Funeral and memorial services are private.  A celebration of life to honor Stuart is being scheduled.  Donations in his memory may be made to Brandeis University the Stuart H Altman Chair in Health Policy Fund.