SUMMER 2026 NEWSLETTER

A Note from the Editor

This spring, CHRT published several briefs on topics from behavioral health to vaccine hesitancy. We also held the 2026 Health Policy Fellowship, bringing together 18 fellows from academic, policy, and nonprofit backgrounds. The fellows learned from guest speakers here in Ann Arbor and travelled to Washington, D.C. and Detroit for more invaluable networking and learning opportunities.

We look forward to welcoming three new interns this summer, who will help us as we continue our work on evaluations, research, strategy, policy, and more.

HR1 Impacts on the State of Michigan

The legislation would limit provider taxes and state-directed payments, two important tools Michigan uses to fund and support its Medicaid program. 

The Behavioral Health Landscape in Michigan

Michigan is facing a severe access crisis for mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services. 2019 data indicates that nearly half of Michigan adults with mental illness and 73% of those with SUD do not receive treatment. 

Introducing CHRT’s Summer Interns

CHRT is pleased to welcome three talented students to our team this summer: Montala Carruthers, Taylen Hemingway, and our Rebecca Copeland intern Sarah Peterson. 

Most Michiganders Trust Vaccines but Hesitancy Persists



Michigan continues to show strong support for childhood vaccination. However, ongoing skepticism and uncertainty around vaccine safety and public health policies remain key challenges. Findings from the 2025 Cover Michigan Survey.

CHRT’s 2026 Health Policy Fellowship wraps up

CHRT’s 2026 Health Policy Fellowship recently wrapped up. The fellowship brings together emerging leaders from research, policy, nonprofit, academic, and health care spaces to deepen their understanding of how health policy works at the local, state, and federal levels.

Basic needs are out of reach for many Michiganders

Michigan residents are struggling to afford the basics — and new federal policy changes are poised to make things worse. Read the brief for the full findings and recommendations for how healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organizations can respond.

CHRT in the community

CHRT's Health Policy Fellows went to Washington DC and Detroit to learn more about how health policy works at the state and federal level.

CHRT's executive director Joshua Traylor spoke at the Protect MI Care press conference in April. Held at Care Free Medical, the press conference called on the Michigan Legislature to fully fund Medicaid in the state budget and protect the program from federal cuts. 

Lisa Braddix, a 2026 CHRT Health Policy Fellow, published an op-ed about the importance of community organizations after her experience in the fellowship.

Jennie Scheerer presented to the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA) about maternal mental health in Michigan following an article published by Rapid Growth.

Concentrate media article, “Seeking help: What the mental health care journey looks like in Washtenaw County and beyond” published on May 7, 2026, features CHRT’s research on CCBHC’s across Michigan.

Looking for support? Consult CHRT for: