As election season ramps up, we want to provide you with quick advocacy tips and insights to help you become a more effective chronic disease advocate.
In this edition, take a nationwide survey looking for patient input about access to needed medication, learn how each political party is approaching healthcare policy, discover how Illinois Governor Pritzker is advancing health insurance reform in the state, and meet one of our newest ambassadors.
1. Feedback Requested: Patient Inclusion Council (PIC) Patient Survey
Image Courtesy of: Patient Inclusion Council
Our partners at the Patient Inclusion Council (PIC) have launched a new survey to determine the many factors that can lead to affordability and access challenges for patients. The results of the study will be shared with Prescription Drug Affordability Boards (PDABs) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to better inform drug affordability reviews. We encourage you to share the survey link via social media using the posts below or include in any other outreach to patients including newsletters and webinars. Social media graphics can be found online. Reach out with any questions, and thanks for helping to get the word out!
2. Conservatives Flag Concerns with Medicare Spending
Illustration Courtesy of: Annelise Capossela/Axios
While Medicaid's expansion under the Affordable Care Act increased enrollment to 75 million, its annual cost exceeded $800 billion – which is concerning many conservative legislators. Read here about the proposed changes to Medicaid and their potential impact on healthcare access for millions of Americans.
3. What Will the 2024 Elections Mean for Health Policy?
The next administration and Congress will shape crucial healthcare policies,. Both the Trump-era tax cuts and Biden's expanded ACA premium tax credits are set to expire, demanding Congressional action in 2025. Beyond these key areas, bipartisan interest may drive reforms in Medicare Advantage, pharmacy benefit manager transparency, and the 340B program. Read more here.
4. Pritzker Signs Health Insurance Reform Measures Into Law
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed two key healthcare bills: the Health Care Protection Act, which bans practices limiting patient care, and a bill prohibiting short-term, limited-duration insurance plans. These laws aim to prevent predatory insurance tactics, ensuring better access to necessary treatments and accurate provider networks for Illinois residents. Read here.
5. CDC Ambassador Spotlight – Kaye Peterson
Image Courtesy of: Kaye Peterson
As we look back on Chronic Disease Month, we thank you all for advocating loud and far! As such, we’d like to highlight one of our newest ambassadors — Kaye Peterson, from Kentucky.
“I advocate for both my family and my community. Being from a small rural area in Central Kentucky, diabetes runs rampant here. I decided to speak up and advocate for farm families like mine who struggle with operating a farm and dealing with the additional cost of having a child with diabetes, more specifically, the outrageous price of insulin if uninsured or underinsured. If I can use my voice to help my neighbors get the help they need, then I’ve done my job.”
If you’re interested in joining Kaye in our Ambassador program, click here.