Matt McConnell
Matt McConnell is a researcher in the Economic Justice and Rights Division of Human Rights Watch. His work focuses on investigating the human rights impacts of private entities’ involvement in the delivery of goods and services essential to economic, social, and cultural rights, and advocating for universal access to high-quality public services, from health care to housing, education, and more.
Most recently, Matt worked with coalition partners to push for policy reforms to address some of the structural drivers of the United States’ medical debt crisis. He investigated the US’ charity-dependent model of hospital services, documenting how regulatory failures allow ostensibly charitable nonprofit hospitals to operate more like for-profit corporations that charge high fees and aggressively pursue medical bills against people who cannot pay. He also published a report that outlined how US government policies render life-saving medicines unaffordable for many, documenting how unregulated drug pricing and high out-of-pocket costs contribute to dangerous and potentially lethal insulin rationing.
Previously, Matt was a fellow with the US Program and Business and Human Rights Division, where he reported on federal deregulation that threatened to worsen already dangerous working conditions in the meatpacking industry. His research has been published in or cited by a range of outlets, including Axios, The Hill, The Messenger, Mother Jones, The Nation, NBC News, The New York Times, Newsweek, USA Today, and HBO's Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.
Matt received a juris doctorate from Stanford Law School and a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California. He is admitted to the practice of law in New York State, was formerly a Peace Corps volunteer in Mongolia, and is currently based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Articles Authored
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September 23, 2024
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April 26, 2024
African Governments Falling Short on Healthcare Funding
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April 11, 2024
Global Failures on Healthcare Funding
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February 7, 2024
A Human Rights Guide to the 2024 US Elections
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September 20, 2023
Governments Should Step Up on Public Health Care Spending
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September 15, 2023
An Opportunity to Embrace a Human Rights Economy
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July 11, 2023
‘Nonprofit’ Hospital or Commercial Juggernaut?
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June 23, 2023
UN Public Service Day Marked amid Uncertain Future
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March 1, 2023
Insulin Manufacturer to Finally Lower Prices in the US
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January 18, 2023
Major Victory for Immigrant Workers in the US
Reports Authored
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Global Failures on Healthcare Funding
Pandemic Data Reveals Threats, Opportunities to Improve Systems
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In Sheep’s Clothing
United States’ Poorly Regulated Nonprofit Hospitals Undermine Health Care Access
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“If I’m Out of Insulin, I’m Going to Die”
United States’ Lack of Regulation Fuels Crisis of Unaffordable Insulin
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US: Failure to Pass Build Back Better Act Imperils Rights
Can Advance Economic Justice, Fix Broken Safety Net, But More Needed
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“When We’re Dead and Buried, Our Bones Will Keep Hurting”
Workers’ Rights Under Threat in US Meat and Poultry Plants