The Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation (CHRT) today released a national policy brief on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“Act”) that summarizes state requirements, as well as opportunities at the state and local levels to shape health care delivery.

“This Policy Brief is a tool to help policy-makers, providers of care, foundations, and individuals understand the scope of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and point out where the opportunities exist to collaborate on improving health care delivery and public health,” says Marianne Udow-Phillips, director of CHRT. “Media coverage of the Act so far has focused principally on health insurance reform. But, there is much more involved, including provisions that will affect the way care is delivered and paid for in every hospital and doctor’s office. In fact, each state has important provisions to implement and choices to make beginning this year.”Continue Reading CHRT Policy Brief Demystifies National Health Care Act; Shows Choices, Opportunities at State, Local Levels

A survey released today by the Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation (CHRT) challenges the long-held assumption that having health insurance is synonymous with having access to health care.

The survey of 1,022 Michigan adults showed that while 40 percent of those who lacked insurance delayed seeking needed care, so did 17 percent of those with health insurance — mostly due to cost concerns.

The survey also revealed that many low income urban dwellers had fewer problems accessing care than all but high income suburban dwellers — potentially reflecting the greater availability of health care “safety net” providers in urban areas. Residents in rural communities and small towns reported more problems with access to care.Continue Reading Survey Reveals Health Insurance and Access to Care Not So Closely Linked

Examining the reasons people end up in the hospital could point to opportunities for improving patient care and making the health care system more effective and efficient, according to an issue brief released today by the Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation (CHRT).

Nationally in 2007, four of the top ten diagnoses related to cardiovascular disease; in Michigan, three of the top ten. Heart disease accounted for over $143 billion in health care spending nationally — $4.2 billion in Michigan.

“We know many cases of heart disease are potentially preventable,” said CHRT director Marianne Udow-Phillips. “A focus on prevention and/or early intervention for underlying risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, and smoking could have substantial impacts on both patient health and the cost of care.”Continue Reading The Cost Burden of Disease: What Health Care Spending Can Teach Us About Improving Care

According to an issue brief on health care costs released today by the Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation (CHRT), Michigan’s health care spending has been growing at a slower pace than the national average for more than a decade.

The issue brief also says Michigan spends less per capita on personal health care than the national average ($ 5,058 vs $5,283), ranking 36th among the 50 states and District of Columbia in 2004 (the most recent year for which state-level data were available), and has one of the lowest rates of Medicaid payments to physicians in the country, ranking 44th on the 2008 Medicaid to Medicare physician fee index.Continue Reading Michigan’s health care spending lower than U.S. average – Medicaid reimbursements among the lowest in the nation

Cover Michigan, a report on healthcare coverage released today by the Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation (CHRT) shows that while Michigan compares well to the country as a whole, the state is losing ground in critical areas, including the number of Michigan’s children and adults who are uninsured and the percentage of the population covered by private insurance.

“Cover Michigan shows a state under stress,” said CHRT director Marianne Udow-Phillips. “More and more Michigan residents – especially our most vulnerable populations – are facing hardships in obtaining and affording health care. Our health care delivery system is destabilizing as more people are underinsured and uninsured.”Continue Reading Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation releases Cover Michigan — a report on healthcare coverage and access