State Healthcare Access Networks

Printer-friendly version

Situation:

The scarcity of state healthcare dollars and prevailing legislative trends toward pharmaceutical price controls spell a real threat for patients’ access to needed medications. With state Medicaid budgets in flux across America, the need for organized communication among healthcare-related organizations is at an all-time high.

Resolution:

Public Affairs Company organized key healthcare leaders, social service agencies, voluntary health and professional associations in 14 states to form Healthcare Access Networks.  These networks provide members with a number of practical and policy resources in addition to an open line of communication regarding threats to healthcare access. Each network can be activated to weigh in on State and Federal legislation. They also allow the pharmaceutical industry to have a voice at a table that otherwise would not be accessible. Additionally, the networks serve as a forum for members to share best practices for ensuring quality of care.  The most established Healthcare Access Networks have been in existence for 5 to 7 years, including those in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois. These “tenured” networks routinely involve high-level speakers, such as Heath Commissioners, Legislative Health Committee Chairs and former Surgeons General.