Empowering Health Care Consumers

Project Title

An Advocacy Agenda to Empower Health Care Consumers Across New York State, Phase 2

Grant Amount

$250,000

Priority Area

Empowering Health Care Consumers

Date Awarded

March 13, 2020

Region

NYC

Statewide

Status

Closed

Website

http://younginvincibles.org/

In 2019, a poll found that more than half of all New Yorkers experienced an affordability burden in the prior year.

Health care costs for individuals and families continue to rise as consumers assume more of a financial share through high deductibles and insurance premiums. Now more than ever, consumers need additional and clearer information on health care prices and quality to inform their decision-making and to have a seat at the table when health policy decisions are being made. In 2018, NYHealth awarded Health Care for All New York (HCFANY) a grant to advance the consumer voice on issues related to promoting health information transparency and engaging patients as partners. In 2020, NYHealth awarded HCFANY, through fiscal sponsor Young Invincibles, a second grant to build momentum for its campaign to advance the consumer voice in New York State.

Under this grant, HCFANY continued to engage in its advocacy agenda to amplify the consumer voice and engage patients as partners in decision-making. Building on momentum from the prior phase, HCFANY members addressed the following topics to empower health care consumers in New York State: (1) medical debt, (2) implementation of the NYHealthcareCompare cost and quality website, and (3) consumer participation in policymaking. As part of its campaign, HCFANY continued coalition-building efforts by educating and convening diverse stakeholders for campaigns and issue-based taskforces. It collected and shared consumer stories, as well as conducted research and analysis to produce policy briefs with recommendations and educational materials. Additionally, it continued to recruit consumers and consumer advocates to lead grassroots organizing and ensure that consumers are directly engaged in health reform advocacy.