Westat

08/28/2026

In SNAP, "client-caused errors" can feel like a black box – something states can't do much about. The data says otherwise.

At , Westat SNAP expert Elizabeth Weber explained what SNAP QC data tells us: client-caused errors make up nearly half of all payment error dollars nationally—but most are inadvertent, not fraud. A single driver, missing or inaccurate wage information, accounts for over half of that on its own.

That's good news: errors rooted in honest mistakes respond well to better program design—clearer forms, plainer notices, sharper interview questions—not just enforcement. The panel made the case for treating client-caused errors as a design opportunity, not a dead end.
https://www.westat.com/news/aphsa-emwb-2026-conference/

08/24/2026

At the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA)’s Economic Mobility & Well-Being (EMWB) Conference? Don’t miss Westat’s Jake Beckerman-Hsu and Michael Ribar, who will be presenting “From Findings to Fixes: Turning QC Data Into a Payment Accuracy Powerhouse,” tomorrow at 9:45am (CT). https://www.westat.com/news/aphsa-emwb-2026-conference/

08/19/2026

Westat’s Elizabeth Weber is presenting at the the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA)’s Economic Mobility & Well-Being (EMWB) next week. Join her for “Reducing Participant Errors and Churn Through Human-Centered Design” at 11:30am (CT). Learn more: https://www.westat.com/news/aphsa-emwb-2026-conference/

08/17/2026

Rural communities often face persistent barriers to healthcare access, including provider shortages, long travel distances, limited behavioral health services, and challenges coordinating care across providers and systems. Westat’s Meg Tucker, MS, and Dominick Esposito, PhD, discuss how innovative care models can help address these challenges by supporting more integrated, flexible, and patient-centered services by expanding access through technology.

Rural communities often face persistent barriers to healthcare access, including provider shortages, long travel distances, limited behavioral health services, and challenges coordinating care across providers and systems. Innovative care models can help address these challenges by supporting more i...

08/13/2026

Westat’s Atsushi Miyaoka presented on AI-enabled environmental scanning at last week’s Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM). His talk featured WesLytics, our advanced data intelligence solution, and demonstrated how large language models integrated within an interactive dashboard framework can transform unstructured data into meaningful patterns, data-driven insights, and measurable results, an area of growing interest among clients seeking scalable AI-powered analytics.

08/13/2026

Westat’s SNAP experts will be at the 2026 American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) Economic Mobility & Well-Being (EMWB) Conference next week in New Orleans, where they’ll be sharing insights on using data to strengthen public assistance programs. Make sure to catch their presentations on Monday and Tuesday, and stop by our booth to talk about how they can help you provide real impact for your state. https://www.westat.com/news/aphsa-emwb-2026-conference/

Westat’s SNAP experts will share insights on using data to strengthen public assistance programs at the 2026 American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) Economic Mobility & Well-Being (EMWB) Conference, taking place August 23–26 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

08/11/2026

A few highlights from the 2026 Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM), where our statisticians and data scientists shared their research, and connected with colleagues from around the world. We're proud of their contributions to the field and already looking forward to JSM 2027 in Chicago.

08/10/2026

A new white paper from the 2026 Workshop on Survey Costs explores how better understanding and managing survey costs can help maintain high-quality research amid budget constraints. Westat’s Daifeng Han, PhD, coauthored the paper, which outlines 10 key themes and 12 recommendations for improving survey cost analysis and decision-making.

A new white paper emerging from the 2026 Workshop on Survey Costs examines the growing importance of understanding, monitoring, and managing survey costs to maintain high-quality research amid increasing budget constraints.

08/05/2026

Westat is proud to celebrate a milestone in transfusion medicine: the FDA has licensed Ezplaz® Freeze-Dried Plasma, the first freeze-dried plasma product approved for use in the United States. Our team played a key role in the clinical research that supported this groundbreaking achievement, advancing an innovation that could expand access to life-saving care. We also honor the legacy of the late Melissa King, whose leadership helped establish Westat as a trusted partner throughout this effort. As the research advances into its phase 4 postmarketing study, we look forward to supporting this important work through clinical operations, data management, and statistical expertise.

Westat is proud to recognize a significant milestone in transfusion medicine with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's licensing of Ezplaz® Freeze-Dried Plasma—the first freeze-dried plasma product approved for use in the U.S.

08/04/2026

Gizem Korkmaz, PhD, Westat’s VP of Data Science and AI, is featured in “Federal Statistics Enters the Age of AI—Carefully,” a new National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine article highlighting key insights from the 2026 AI Day for Federal Statistics. Drawing on her expertise, Gizem discussed how principles such as validity, reliability, fairness, transparency, and objectivity must be translated into practical procedures that project teams can implement. She also shared perspectives on effective AI governance and practical implementation. Read more about the event and the conversations shaping the future of responsible AI in federal statistics. https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/federal-statistics-enters-the-age-of-ai-carefully