Celebrating Your Impact During Chronic Disease Month!
As Chronic Disease Month 2024 draws to a close, we want to thank all of you who participated in this year’s #CDM24 activities and programs. Your voices have made a significant impact!
Even as the month closes, there is still time to let us know why you vote, contact your elected leaders, and listen to fellow ambassador stories, like CDC Ambassador Claire Sach’s blog here reacting to our recent nationwide survey results.
1. As we wrap up Chronic Disease Month 2024, the Chronic Disease Coalition is taking a moment to thank the hundreds of patient advocates across the country that contacted their elected officials in recent weeks, our ambassadors that secured proclamations from their governors around the nation, and our partners for joining the fight every day.
We released new data on the high cost of chronic disease, hosted a symposium with patient advocates, launched new tools for everyone to use in conversations with candidates for office, and our annual Roll Call of Champions highlighted those legislators prioritizing our issues in their states.
Our overarching goal for Chronic Disease Month was to raise awareness about the high cost of chronic disease, and we did it with resounding success! Watch the recap video now live on YouTube here.
2. Our recent survey results reveal that many patients, diagnosed or not, experience or fear discrimination due to their conditions. However, patients don't have to accept this as the norm. Both federal and state laws provide strong protections against such discrimination. By staying informed and proactive, patients can ensure their rights are respected and upheld.
Read more of CDC Ambassador Claire Sach’s insights in the blog here.
3. Your story is powerful. By sharing it with us, you help educate lawmakers, the media, and the public about living with a chronic disease. Personal stories are impactful and help drive policy changes. Everyone has a story, and we want to hear yours!
Share your story now here.
4. The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease has released a critical report examining health plans' responses to Upper Payment Limits (UPLs) — which is when a government sets arbitrary caps on the price of certain treatments. The findings reveal that health plans do not intend to pass the savings from UPLs on to patients. Additionally, the report suggests that these plans are likely to increase utilization management practices like step therapy and prior authorization.
This development underscores the need for continued advocacy to ensure patient-centered care and equitable access to treatments. Stay informed and join us in advocating for fair health policies.
Read the report here.
5. The Chronic Disease Coalition is proud to support U.S. Senator Ron Wyden’s new legislation, titled the Insurance Fraud Accountability Act, which amends the Affordable Care Act to protect consumers from fraudulent enrollments and plan changes by rogue brokers. We will always support legislation that protects patients from bad actors.
Read about this effort in the Lund Report here.
6. As part of our acknowledgement of Chronic Disease Month, we’re highlighting one of our amazing ambassadors — Katie Connelly, from New Hampshire.
“I never felt like there was another person with my severity of Crohn's Disease when I was younger, so I have created my social media platforms to help with bring together that community. The medical system also has alot of improvements that can be made, and I want to bring a voice to how it has affected me and other patients.”
If you’re interested in joining Katie in our Ambassador program, click here.