Download Source: www.ahrq.gov

Health Initiatives in the Era
of Healthcare Reform
 Taking Health into Our Own Hands:
Working the “Iron Triangle”
Healthcare Costs represent an
increasing % of GDP
- $650B more for Cancer Treatment
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
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
The “Iron Triangle”
 Building Health Empowerment
 Community/Patient Interest Groups
 Government enabling agencies
 Congress
The Mandate
 “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]