Robert Hest joined SHADAC in 2017 and works as a Senior Research Fellow. Mr. Hest provides expertise in survey data, quantitative data analysis, data visualization, and health coverage policy.

Mr. Hest leads SHADAC’s work monitoring and investigating developments in the measurement of health insurance coverage and health care access, affordability and utilization in federal survey data. He also manages SHADAC’s State Health Compare website, coordinating data processing, quality assurance, dissemination, and documentation of data used on the site and leads SHADAC’s work in the Minnesota Research Data Center applying restricted-use data to analyze health care affordability, access, and utilization at the state level.

In addition, Mr. Hest provides technical assistance to states and other organizations on topics related to health insurance coverage, cost, and access. Robert also manages SHADAC’s Minnesota’s Community and Uninsured Profile project in partnership with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Minnesota.

Mr. Hest holds a master’s degree in Public Policy with a concentration in Advanced Policy Analysis Methods from the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Carleton College.