Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, or IPPSR, will expand its role as a hub for critical policy leadership, education and learning with a grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund amounting to nearly $450,000.
The grant is part of the Michigan Health Endowment Fund’s Special Projects and Emerging Ideas awards given to 30 Michigan organizations working to improve the health and wellness of state residents.
IPPSR’s project builds on the successes of its long-term Legislative Leadership Program, launched in 1994. Through the grant, IPPSR plans to create a special health track designed to enhance understanding of health challenges and policy.
“We are thrilled to be among the recipients,” said Arnold Weinfeld, IPPSR interim director. “We propose to focus on health care, melding research and practice to legislators serving on key policy and appropriation sub-committees through specialized forums and expanded training sessions.”
The Michigan Health Endowment Fund works to improve the health and wellness of Michigan residents and reduce the cost of healthcare, with a special focus on children and seniors. The Health Fund’s Special Projects and Emerging Ideas awards are by invitation only, and are designed to support projects with prospects for significant statewide impact on the health of Michigan residents, Weinfeld said.
IPPSR’s specially designed sessions for policymakers will explore topics as baseline healthcare issues such as Medicaid, Medicare, social determinants of health, population health and state health programs, Weinfeld said. Topical health issues, such as opioid addiction and firearm violence, may also be included.
“This is a further enhancement of IPPSR’s building status as a hub for policy information and development on campus and, in fact, throughout the nation,” Weinfeld said.
IPPSR is the home of the Office for Survey Research, State of the State Survey, Michigan Political Leadership Program, IPPSR Public Policy Forums, the Michigan Political Insiders Panel, Michigan Policy Wonk Blog, Michigan Applied Public Policy Research and the Correlates of State Policy database.