News: Health

UW–Madison’s Center for Demography of Health and Aging (CDHA) received renewal of its funding via the National Institute of Health’s prestigious P30 grant. La Follette School Professor Jason Fletcher serves as CDHA director.

The La Follette School welcomed more than 300 people to its inaugural La Follette Forum, funded by the Kohl Initiative, on Monday, March 2.

With generous support from Herb Kohl Philanthropies, the La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is pleased to announce its inaugural La Follette Forum. The first conference will focus on health policy.

On October 31, a diverse group of state lawmakers, legislative staff members, legislative service agency analysts, and staff from the Governor’s office attended the fifth Office Hours at the Capitol – presented by the Wisconsin Family Impact Seminars and the La Follette School.

The Center for Financial Security Retirement and Disability Research Center (CFS RDRC) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison received a second year of funding from the US Social Security Administration (SSA). One of just four RDRCs in the country supported by SSA, UW–Madison’s is the only one focusing on the financial well-being of economically vulnerable families, older people, people with disabilities, low-wealth households, and children.

"Skills that I learned and gained in graduate school, I’ve used in the private sector as well as in the public sector. That includes quantitative analysis and strong writing skills, as well as the ability to interpret data and research findings and then translate them from academia into more plain language – this makes research and learning accessible across different audiences."

In response to increasing out-of-pocket medical costs, Professor J. Michael Collins brought together various stakeholders May 16 to discuss the intersection of healthcare and financial capability. The workshop, Managing Out-of-Pocket Medical Expenses: How Well are Families Prepared for a World of High Deductibles, highlighted Collins’ survey of public employees with health plans through the Wisconsin Employee Trust Funds (ETF).

Two La Follette School alumni recently shared their expertise with public radio listeners. John Vander Meer (MPA ’06) discussed the difficulties facing skilled nursing facilities in Wisconsin, and Anne Chapman (MPA ’12) addressed education funding in the state.

David Axelrod shared his deeply personal connection with health care reform during a 90-minute conversation with La Follette School students September 28. As a senior adviser to President Barack Obama, Axelrod understood the political risks of the issue and was deeply conflicted about it.