News Room

The National Institute for Health Care Reform

The National Institute for Health Care Reform (NIHCR) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization established by the International Union, UAW; Chrysler Group LLC; Ford Motor Company; and General Motors to conduct health policy research and analyses to improve the organization, financing and delivery of health care in the United States. The Institute contracts with the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) to conduct health policy research and policy analyses, and HSC President Paul B. Ginsburg, Ph.D., serves as NIHCR’s research director. All research and analyses are conducted using HSC’s rigorous standards for quality and objectivity. The Institute does not take policy positions and, similar to HSC, strives to be an honest broker of information and a reliable resource for decision makers on all sides of the critical issues facing the U.S. health care system.

Institute Mission Statement

The mission of the National Institute for Health Care Reform is to conduct high-quality, objective research and policy analyses of the organization, financing and delivery of health care in the United States. The Institute works to identify key health policy issues, explore policy options, and assess the advantages and disadvantages of policy options to help inform policy makers and other decision makers about how to expand access to high-quality, affordable health care to all Americans.

Institute Governance and Relationship with HSC

The Institute, incorporated in the state of Michigan, is governed by a six-member Board of Directors, with the UAW appointing three directors and each of the companies appointing one director. The Institute contracts with the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) to conduct health policy research and analyses, and HSC President Paul B. Ginsburg, Ph.D., serves as the Institute’s research director. All research and analyses are conducted using HSC’s rigorous standards for quality and objectivity.

The Institute does not take policy positions and, similar to HSC, strives to be an honest broker of information and a reliable resource for decision makers on all sides of the critical issues facing the U.S. health care system. The board approves the Institute’s research and policy analysis agenda, delegating responsibility to HSC to conduct all research and policy analyses and to publish and disseminate findings. HSC retains the right to publish all research results, and final methodological and editorial decisions ultimately reside with HSC.

Institute Health Policy Research and Analyses

The Institute’s policy research and analyses focus on two main topic areas:

• Cost Containment
• Payment Policy and Benefit Design
• The Role of Competition
• Regulatory Policy

• Improving Care Delivery
• Patient Engagement and Shared Decision-making
• Care Coordination and Management
• Prevention and Improving Health
• Access to Medical Providers

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