1 Making A Difference: Understanding the Health Care System

A network of relationships between different actors designed to work together to support and help people to maintain, improve, or manage their health and well-being. The Health Care System is:

The Story  We’re on a journey  We need to navigate a confusing path to get results  There are many obstacles  We need support and help to find the way home

Oz: The Land of Better Care High Quality High Value Affordable Patient and Family Focused

Who Are the Actors?

People: Something Happens…

And We’re Often Not Alone

Providers: Have Specialized Knowledge

Payers: Pay Providers to Use Knowledge

Policymakers: Empowered to Make Decisions

Who’s Left?

Everyone else who has a particular interest in the health care system and isn’t afraid to let people in power know they care. Advocates: Chime In!

If It’s Really So Simple… …Why Does it Seem So Hard???

Let’s Review…

Following the Yellow Brick Road

Name of organization here (LIST) Programs to Help People (samples) o Consumer Helpline to assist persons in obtaining insurance and health care. o Advocacy and Consumer Engagement: Health Committee for People with Disabilities o Education and Community Forums Programs to Change Public Policy o Making sure that consumers have a strong and lasting voice in health care reform and that the voice is heard. o Creative Advocacy Projects, rallies, advocacy trainings, etc. o Improving access to quality, affordable health care WWW. (website) Lift Up Your Voice!

(Your Organization): What We Do EXAMPLES We build coalitions to change public policy and improve health care. We believe everyone deserves the honest choice on where to live and advocate for an increase in home and community-based services and supports. “In terms of health care we don’t have to cut back, instead we have to be more effective with our health care dollars and that is all about quality.”

How Do We Advocate?  We listen. Together we determine the “WHY” and the “WHAT”  We do research and gather data  We build coalitions  We communicate through the media  We are creative  We are consistent  We are constant

We’re Not in Kansas Anymore… INSERT A PICTURE OF YOUR STATE HERE Add any other information about your city or town

Goals Lift Up Your Voice! Goals Improve the health care system so it delivers: high quality comprehensive coordinated care to older adults with chronic conditions and their family caregivers. Goal #1 INSERT A PHOTO HERE SAMPLE (optional)

Build a strong, lasting consumer voice for better care by mobilizing older adults and their family caregivers, along with consumer advocates. Goal #2 INSERT A PHOTO HERE SAMPLE (optional) Goals Lift Up Your Voice! Goals

Alliance for Retired Americans Budget and Policy Center Statewide Independent Living Council AARP- Caregiver Support Network We Start by Finding Coalition Partners Sample Add logos of partners if you want THEN WE HIT THE ROAD…

How our Advocacy Agenda Evolved  We held monthly coalition calls  We researched policies that would address seniors’ needs  We looked at tools in the ACA and opportunities for (state)

Following the Yellow Brick Road What We’ve Accomplished Optional slide List accomplishments

 Patient-centered, coordinated primary care  Readmission/Transition Iniative  Increase home and community-based services  Ongoing education and defense of the Affordable Care Act Optional slide - samples Objectives Lift Up Your Voice! Objectives

Following the Yellow Brick Road What’s Ahead  Community forums and education events  Gathering stories and growing our campaign  Lift Up Your Voice! Trainings Optional Slide - samples

Why Do We Need YOUR Voice? Do the insurance companies have a well- organized voice with elected officials? How do they get their power? Do the hospital association and physician groups have a well-organized voice? How do they get their power over elected officials? We don’t have lots of money… but we have OUR STORIES and OUR VOICES. INSERT PHOTO HERE SAMPLE (optional)

Just Click Your Heels Share a story. Share a dream. “We want better care now!”

THANK YOU! Your Name Organization address Phone Number