EXPERTS ADVISORY

The U.S. Census Bureau will release its 2015 statistics on poverty and health insurance coverage Tuesday, Sept. 13. The University of Michigan has experts available to discuss the latest findings compared to 2014 rates of 14.8 percent (46.7 million people) for poverty and 10.4 percent (33 million people) for those without health insurance.

POVERTY

Luke Shaefer, associate professor of social work and public policy, can discuss the measurement of poverty and alternative metrics for measuring hardship. He has published articles on rising extreme poverty in the U.S., the effects of major anti-poverty programs and low-wage work.

Contact: 734-936-5065, lshaefer@umich.edu

Kristin Seefeldt, assistant professor of social work and public policy, explores how low-income individuals understand their situations, particularly around issues related to work and economic well-being. She conducts research on family financial coping strategies, and the effects of the recession and recovery policies on individuals’ well-being.

Contact: 734-​717-1239, kseef@umich.edu

David S. Johnson, research professor in the Institute for Social Research and Deputy Director of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, can discuss the measurement of poverty and inequality. He has published articles on inequality and poverty, and served for 8 years as the senior executive at the Census Bureau overseeing the official poverty estimates and the development of the supplemental poverty measure.

Contact: 734-647-4076, johnsods@umich.edu

HEALTH INSURANCE

Kyle Grazier, professor of health management and policy at the School of Public Health, is an expert on health care finance and delivery. Her research concerns insurance and payment systems, benefits design, and the reintegration of medical and mental health services in employed and Medicaid populations.

Contact: 734-936-1222, kgrazier@umich.edu

Richard Hirth, chair and professor of health management and policy at the School of Public Health can discuss the general economics of health insurance. His research includes examining how health care spending policies impact patient care.

Contact: 734-936-1306, rhirth@umich.edu

Sheela Kennedy, research assistant professor of health management and policy at the School of Public Health, can address poverty, inequality and economic well-being over the life course. Much of her research has focused on the impact of divorce and cohabitation on children and families.

Contact: 734-936-5344, kennedsh@umich.edu