Cover Michigan 2010, a comprehensive view of health coverage in the U.S. and Michigan released today by the Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation (CHRT), shows upward negative trends from the 2009 report: more people lacking health insurance, more employers dropping coverage, higher costs for those with health insurance, and a growing strain on the health care safety net including hospitals.

This year, the report also provides a projected picture of how the state’s health coverage would look if the newly passed Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148) were already in effect.Continue Reading Cover Michigan 2010 Finds Health Safety Net Still Critical Despite Health Reform

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