About CHRT

The Center for Health and Research Transformation (CHRT) is a non-profit impact organization. We work to transform data and research into useful information that improves the health of people and communities. Our center at the University of Michigan provides health research, analyses, surveys, demonstration projects, backbone support, and consulting to government agencies, nonprofits, foundations, health systems, and health care providers and payers. Key focus areas include affordable care, Medicaid policy, health care issues, coronavirus, long term care, care transitions, mental health, and substance use.

Our work includes:

• Publicly available issue briefs on timely health issues
• Survey research exploring key issues for consumers, physicians, and hospitals
• Training for health services researchers to enhance their impact on practice and policy
• Clinically-informed analyses to support data-driven policy decisions
• Demonstration projects with community partners that test new approaches for improving the cost-effectiveness, quality, and accessibility of health services
• Program evaluations

Since 2007, CHRT has informed policy decisions that have impacted the health care landscape in Michigan and beyond. Every day, CHRT works to educate and inform policymakers by expanding the body of health services research and analysis, running demonstration projects to show how health and health care can be improved, and helping researchers become more effective at creating and disseminating research findings.

Highlights of our work:

• For over a decade, CHRT has methodically tracked changes in how physicians practice medicine and provide access to care.
• CHRT’s timely research and insightful analyses were pivotal in Michigan’s decision to expand Medicaid. Our fiscal analyses projected over $1 billion in net savings to the state over 10 years and survey data showed ready access to Michigan primary care providers.
• CHRT runs a health policy fellowship program to train senior clinicians, health policy researchers, and legislative and executive branch staff. Former fellows now serve in key policy positions in Michigan and Washington, DC, influencing state and federal health policy.
• CHRT provides backbone support to the Washtenaw Health Initiative, a collaborative of more than 200 individuals and organizations focused on delivering better care to low-income, Medicaid, and uninsured populations in Washtenaw County.
• CHRT is backbone organization to the Washtenaw and Livingston County Community Health Innovation Region, which is conducting a three-year demonstration project that aims to reduce emergency department utilization by addressing the social and medical needs of frequent users.
• CHRT was instrumental in developing and coordinating Michigan’s successful Multi-Payer Advanced Primary Care Practice grant–an initiative focused on improving primary care for people with chronic disease.