MIG-RATS Mission and History
In April 2006, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the concept for a state-based research resource center (MIG-RATS) to support activities under the Medicaid Infrastructure Grants (MIGs). The original vision called for establishing a resource center to support ongoing state research activities and would be based on voluntary participation and a core mission of being (1) responsive to states' research needs and (2) accessible to all states.
Based on input collected from the MIG states during the fall of 2006, MIG-RATS identified four key areas in which MIG states desired research support and assistance:
- Facilitation of multi-state research efforts
- Facilitation of access to data not available through state sources
- Access to research information from other states and projects
- Guidance on research processes, strategies, and analyses
In 2008, CMS requested a re-assessment of MIG states’ needs from MIG-RATS. An inventory was administered to MIG state researchers in August, 2008 that included sections to 1) re-assess states’ internal research capacity and perceived usefulness of a variety of types of research support, and 2) solicit input on new directions for the four activity areas. Responses were received from 33 of 40 MIG states (83%). Findings from the inventory indicate that:
- Coordination of interests, coordination of activities, and assistance in accessing federal data remain the highest priority supports states want to receive from MIG-RATS.
- Internal research capacity among the MIG states has increased since the initial inventory, with only nine percent indicating internal research capacity at the ‘freshman’ level as opposed to twenty-three percent in 2006.
- States with lower research capacity continue to have significantly different needs for support; notably access to direct technical assistance and assistance with research design.
- The overall findings of the re-assessment support continued focus on the four main activity areas although opportunities for expansion of specific activities were identified.
MIG-RATS Organizational Structure
The MIG-RATS represent an innovative collaboration among state researchers, Mathematica Policy Research (MPR), and CMS. Overall, the center provides a mechanism to enhance states' capacities to use quantitative information to shape programs and policies for promoting the employment of individuals with disabilities. CMS provides financial support for the center and a federal perspective on policy issues. MPR has developed several databases related to employment and public program participation that can have direct application to state research efforts. MIG-RATS staff provide leadership and organization for states to identify their research needs, share ideas, and develop strategies for using available data to improve their programs.
The MIG-RATS also provide opportunities for MIG state researchers to have direct voices on the availability of data to the MIG states. MIG-RATS staff work to identify sources of state-level aggregate data and make them available to MIG researchers. In addition, the Integrated Data Request (IDR) Committee has developed a process by which MIG states can request specific analyses to be run on the integrated dataset on Medicaid Buy-In participants to inform their individual projects. IDR committee members are responsible for reviewing proposals and selecting projects for analysis. Current representatives on the IDR Committee as of May 2009 are:
- Patty Kates (Illinois)
- Lobat Hashemi (Massachusetts)
- Jean Hall (Nebraska)
- Kathleen Turner (North Carolina)
- Barry Delin (Wisconsin)
- Su Liu (MPR)
- Bonnie O'Day (MPR)
- Anne Reither (MIG-RATS)
Anne Reither and Amy Porter serve as Co-Directors for the MIG-RATS. Mathematica Policy Research (MPR) staff members, including Su Liu and Sarah Prenovitz, provide additional reseach and technical support.
MIG-RATS Contact Information
Photo by Joe Razes.