Michael Karpman is a principal research associate in the Health, Income, and Benefits Policy Division at the Urban Institute. His work focuses on quantitative analysis related to health insurance coverage, health care access and affordability, medical debt, health service use and spending, social determinants of health, and federal and state safety net programs. This work includes overseeing data collection and analysis for the Urban Institute’s Well-Being and Basic Needs Survey. Before joining Urban in 2013, he was a senior associate at the National League of Cities Institute for Youth, Education, and Families. He received his MPP from Georgetown University.

Karpman briefed National Press Foundation fellows in September 2026: Covering the Coverage Gaps in ACA and Medicaid Programs.