Consumer Voices for Coverage

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has funded something called the Consumer Voices for Coverage which begins in 2008. 

The need from the project comes from the publication of Consumer Health Advocacy: A View from 16 States by Community Catalyst in October of 2006.  This calls for consumers to be active in protecting and expanding healthc are access.  In order to be effective, consumers need to organize into  state advocacy networks with the ability to:

1. analyze complex legal and policy issues in order to develop achievable policy alternatives;
2. build a strong grassroots base of support;
3. design and implement communications strategies to build timely public and political support for reform;
4. build and sustain strong broad-based coalitions and maintain strategic alliances with other stakeholders;
5. develop and implement strategic health policy campaigns; and
6. generate resources from diverse sources to build organizational infrastructure.

I must admit to never being much of an activist, but I certainly support the concept of people being active to support their cause.  And, of the many causes out there, access and care for people is a good one.  In a wealthy country like the US, it is a shame to see people dying and in pain for simple reasons like lack of access. 

Unfortunately, many Americans probably don’t realize how good we have it here.  Even those without have TVs and clothes.  Go to a 3rd world country and spend some time with the poor.  It will radically change your opinion.