PA Campaign for Better Care
For our statewide campaign, we will work to advance the CBC mission of ensuring that a reformed health care system provides consumers – especially those older adults with multiple chronic conditions – the comprehensive, coordinated, and patient-centered health care they want and deserve. Success will also come in the form of ensuring that seniors, caregivers, and the programs that serve them are adequately supported by the state. 
There also are a few specific pieces of legislation currently active in the Commonwealth that align with the mission of the campaign:
The Pennsylvania Family Caregiver Support Act (HB 245) - Sponsored by Rep. Phyllis Mundy, this bill would update and expand a program within Pennsylvania that reimburses family caregivers for expenses they experience when caring for a family member or friend. The program is not an entitlement and this legislation would not add to the state budget. Click here to download talking points that help to expain the Family Caregiver Support Act and why it is so badly needed.
The continuation of the Chronic Care Commission (CCC) in PA – The CCC is the largest trial of it’s kind in the county. The CCC is currently housed within the Governor’s Office of Health Care Reform, which is set to expire, and is trying to look at ways we can improve the health care system to reward practices and providers for high quality care. By encouraging doctors and hospitals to coordinate better and actively work with patients, this Pennsylvania program is ahead of the curve and should be continued so we can be sure that Pennsylvanians with chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma are getting the best possible, high quality care they deserve.
Currently, there are efforts being taken to move the CCC to a new state-run Health Care Authority being created to help implement upcoming changes to health information technology. As of late June however, it appears that this is becoming a less realistic option. Regardless, whatever the solution is, our PA legislators should set party differences aside and re-authorize this important program that comes at a negligible cost to the state and has such great potential!
Click here to learn more about the successes of the CCC in our state.
The Need for Better Care in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania has the second-oldest population in the country, with more than one in every seven residents over the age of 65.1 About one in ten of those over 65 belongs to a minority population, putting them at greater risk of developing certain chronic health conditions.2
- Pennsylvanians over the age of 65 are twice as likely as others to rate their own health as “fair to poor.” They have a much higher incidence of chronic disease than other residents of the state. For example, older Pennsylvanians are twice as likely as others to have diabetes. However, only about half of them check their blood sugar daily or take classes on diabetes management.3
- National statistics indicate that older adults with multiple chronic conditions make 37 visits to 14 different doctors who prescribe 50 separate prescriptions in the course of a year.4
- One in five Pennsylvanians on Medicare who visit the hospital will be back in the hospital within 30 days; in many cases, this is because patients and caregivers aren’t given the knowledge and resources to manage chronic health conditions.5
The Campaign is supported by many groups
in Pennsylvania including:
- AARP – Pennsylvania
- Alzheimers Association – Greater Pennsylvania Chapter
- Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly
- Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh
- LIFE Pittsburgh
- Lutheran Advocacy Ministry of Pennsylvania (LAMPa)
- Mon Valley Unemployed Committee
- Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute (PHI)
- Peace of Mind Senior Care, Inc.
- Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans
- Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center
- Pennsylvania Chapter of the National MS Society
- Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN)
- Pennsylvania Health Law Project
- Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council
- Philadelphia Unemployed Project
- Pittsburgh Area Jewish Committee
- Pittsburgh Caregiver Support Network
- SEIU Healthcare PA
- United Cerebral Palsy/CLASS Pittsburgh
National Campaign Goals and Priorities
Generously funded by Atlantic Philanthropies with support from the National Partnership for Women and Families and Community Catalyst, Consumer Health Coalition is thrilled to be part of the Campaign for Better Care (CBC)!
The goal of the CBC is to ensure that the reformed health care system provides consumers – especially those older adults with multiple chronic illnesses – the comprehensive, coordinated, patient-centered health care they want and need.
The campaign will work to reach this goal
by concentrating on a few basic priorities:
Working towards New Models of Care that:
- Increase coordination and integration of services
- Make care more patient-centered, such as individualized assessment and care planning
- Are more responsive to patients needs and experiences
Support payment systems reforms that will:
- Pay doctors and hospitals for the quality of care, not the quantity of care
Increasing transparency and quality in health care so that:
- We can make the right improvements
- Health care providers can be held accountable
Strengthen and support the “Consumer Voice” by:
- Working to ensure patients and families have a seat at the table
- Fighting for reforms that will benefit seniors and their caregivers
Click here to visit the National Campaign for Better Care Website!
Download a fact sheet about the Campaign.
Get involved!
If you or your organization is interested in participating in CBC we would be glad to talk to you about how you can get involved! You can email or call us at 412-456-1877 x202.
Share your health care story or sign up for the Pennsylvania Campaingn for Better Care!
Click to see examples of what both doctors and patients are saying.
There are many ways to contribute so if you feel like care coordination has impacted you personally, if you’ve ever been a caregiver yourself, or if your organization deals with these issues then get active. It makes such a difference when people are willing to share their stories, come to events, or give us suggestions about topics we should look at. If you want the health care system change for the better, then become an advocate and join us!
If you are a family caregiver and are looking for resources please refer to our partners:
Jewish Healthcare Foundation – Caregiver Champions Program
Pittsburgh Caregiver Support Network
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