California Partnership for Access to Treatment
EVENT PLANNING AND COALITION BUILDING
California Partnership for Access to Treatment
CHALLENGE
Building Relationships With Diverse Network of California Health Care Stakeholders to Help Ensure an Ongoing Dialogue to Achieve Improved Access to Care
In April 2006 The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) asked Perry Communications Group to create and implement a program to help build deeper relationships with California health care stakeholders so that productive and collaborative discussions about health care reform could take place outside of a legislative or ballot initiative arena.
SOLUTION
PCG Created the California Partnership for Access to Treatment (CPAT) – a Group of Health Care Stakeholders Committed to Increasing Access to Health Care and Serving as a Communications and Resource Network for the Communities they Serve
The challenge was to ensure potential members that CPAT would remain an information network and not become a legislative “action team.” By providing monthly educational seminars in Sacramento and Los Angeles, CPAT would be able share valuable information with members (including creating programs specifically designed to respond to member needs/requests) and help build trust and collaboration.
Members would include those most impacted by increasing health costs and health disparities such as Latino and other ethnic communities, the African American community, health advocates, providers, and employers.
RESULT
Within Just a Few Months, CPAT Held Several Events Around the State, Conducted Outreach to a Wide and Diverse Network and Grew to Over 100 Organizational Members Throughout the State
CPAT’s diverse network of partners includes the Latina Breast Cancer Agency, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (Southern California Chapter), American Nurses Association/California, California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles Metropolitan Chambers of Commerce, Sacramento La Raza Network, NAACP, California Chamber of Commerce, LA Free Clinic, and Valley Industry and Commerce Association among many others. For a complete member list please see www.caaccess.org.
CPAT conducted seminars on health literacy, health care economics, the Federal Deficit Reduction Act (and impacts on underserved communities), advocacy training, and access to existing health care resources. Seminars scheduled include health care disparities and a health care reform roundtable discussion.
CPAT created a Web site with information in seven languages and distributes a monthly newsletter.
CPAT continues to grow each month and organizations that do not normally have a reason to sit in a room together now have regular interaction and share information through the partnership.
