Health Initiatives in the Era of Healthcare Reform Taking Health into Our Own Hands: Working the “Iron Triangle”

Health Initiatives in the Era of Healthcare Reform

Health Initiatives in the Era of Healthcare Reform

Taking Health into Our Own Hands: Working the “Iron Triangle”

Taking Health into Our Own Hands: Working the “Iron Triangle”

Healthcare Costs represent an increasing % of GDP

- $650B more for Cancer Treatment

Healthcare Costs represent an increasing % of GDP

- $650B more for Cancer Treatment

National Healthcare Quality Report - 2007

National Healthcare Quality Report - 2007

•“Preventive healthcare lags significantly behind other gains in healthcare.”

•Access to care and information varied widely between racial/ethnic groups and by socio-economic status

• Source: www.ahrq.gov

•“Preventive healthcare lags significantly behind other gains in healthcare.”

•Access to care and information varied widely between racial/ethnic groups and by socio-economic status

• Source: www.ahrq.gov

American Cancer Society Disparity Study - 2007

American Cancer Society Disparity Study - 2007

•Cancer patients with private insurance are much more likely to be diagnosed early, increasing their long-term survival

•Those uninsured patients or those with Government insurance are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage disease at first treatment

•Cancer patients with private insurance are much more likely to be diagnosed early, increasing their long-term survival

•Those uninsured patients or those with Government insurance are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage disease at first treatment

The “Iron Triangle”The “Iron Triangle”

Building Health Empowerment Community/Patient Interest Groups Government enabling agencies Congress

Building Health Empowerment Community/Patient Interest Groups Government enabling agencies Congress

The MandateThe Mandate

“Health is an indirect measure of a society’s collective democracy.”

Rudolf Virchow

“Health is an indirect measure of a society’s collective democracy.”

Rudolf Virchow

Prostate Cancer Advocacy

Carol Christner

Director, Government Relations

Karmanos Cancer Institute

What is Advocacy?

• Advocacy is the action of supporting a cause or proposal.

• It can be political, as in advocating for a specific piece of legislation.

• It can be social and intellectual, as in speaking out on behalf of those without a voice.

How to Advocate

• Define the problem:– Prostate cancer incidence and survivor rates

are significantly higher for African Americans.

• Find an answer:– Funds for research, education, awareness

outreach, and early detection.

• Identify the target:– House Resolution 313 introduced by

Congressman Gregory Meeks (NY-6).

Communicate Your Message

• Know the facts. • Do your homework on the issue you wish to

discuss. • Review your legislators voting record and

activities on similar issues.• Know how your issue affects your legislators

constituency.• Every issue has at least two sides. Be

prepared to respond to the opposing viewpoint.

How a Bill Becomes A Law(in the beginning)

• A member of Congress sponsors a bill regarding an issue they are concerned with.

• The bill is introduced in the House or Senate.

• The bill is assigned to committee.

• The committee chooses whether

or not to take action on the bill.

Who to Contact

• Senator Carl Levin

202-224-6221, www.levin.senate.gov • Senator Debbie Stabenow

202-224-4822, [email protected] • Congressman Hansen Clarke

202-225-2261, www.hansenclarke.house.gov • Michigan Senator Coleman Young II

517-373-7346, [email protected]• Michigan Representative Maureen Stapleton

517-373-1008, [email protected] • Mayor Dave Bing

313-224-3400, [email protected]