About SHARE

As health reform moves forward at the federal level, the impact of reform on the states, particularly with respect to implementation, is becoming an increasingly salient issue.  SHARE-sponsored research will provide timely guidance on effective mechanisms for implementation as states consider their unique responsibilities in executing national reform policy.

The aim of SHARE is to provide evidence to state policy makers on specific mechanisms that contribute to successful state health reform efforts.  The following are the key goals of the program:

• To help develop a coordinated approach to the evaluation of current state health reform efforts
• To identify and fill gaps in research
• To organize and disseminate meaningful, user-friendly findings for state policy makers, state agencies, and researchers

SHARE operates out of the State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC), an RWJF-funded research center in the Division of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota.

Administration

• The SHARE staff, led by principal investigator Lynn Blewett, consists of a unique combination of experienced professionals in health care access research, survey design and state health policy.
• The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) contributed to the development and organization of the evaluation framework that underlies the program, providing expert advice on the development of an evaluation framework designed to systematically evaluate health care reform. In addition, the TAG provided feedback on the award structure, topic focus and scope of reform activities.
• The Proposal Advisory Group (PAG) developed criteria, review, and rate responses to the SHARE Call for Proposals. The PAG assisted with the final formulation of grant criteria and provided input on grant proposals. This included reviewing and rating grant applications and making final funding recommendations to the Foundation.