Waymark’s Post

To my Health Center friends and colleagues….this picture is from 2015, when we fought tooth and nail for increased HC Funding to avoid going over the funding cliff…the very same scenario we face yet again, later this year.  At the time of this post, the House was EXTREMELY divided and there was near gridlock in Congress…sound familiar?! After this post, we went on to advocate in the Senate and won HC funding - averted the cliff, and secured access for an estimated 7 million patients whose care was on the line. But, here’s the most important thing…the power of advocacy was ever present and clear. The hard work, persistence and determination of health center advocates across the country produced an increase AND an extension in funding. SUCCESS was achieved through ADVOCACY, grit, commitment, passion and leadership. We can and will do this again in just a few months. Success is not just within our reach, It is the HC legacy - YOUR legacy! I’ve been honored to support and work along side health centers since 2005 - learning from countless colleagues who brought incredible vision and leadership, and who refused to give up - no matter how tired or unlikely success felt - they fought like hell because there were countless people still in need and their mission was to help. I was then, as I am now, inspired daily to keep doing this work because of their commitment. I post this to remind you of YOUR POWER, the power of your voice and your advocacy and the need to keep going! Advocacy is and always will be the path forward - and when we bring that to focus, the future success and impact we can have is limitless.  #advocacy #leadership #innovation #chcs #fqhc #healthequity Advocates for Community Health Vernita Todd, FACHE Kaitlin M McColgan, Craig Kennedy, John Sawyer, Kersten Burns Lausch, Michelle Proser, Abigail Pinkele, Anne R., Michelle Jester, MA, PMP, Susan Jenkins Sumrell, Dawn McKinney, Jana Eubank, Marc Wetherhorn, Dorian W., Elizabeth Kwasnik, MFS, Alex Harris, Association of Clinicians for the Underserved

Another timely discussion about work EACH is leading which ought to be spread and delivered at scale.

Health equity leaders must deal with a range of demands, but they do not have to do it alone. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, with support from IHI, brought together an Equity Action Community to discuss the many challenges facing health equity leaders today. Among them was the need to remain agile and adaptable when addressing various audiences about the important of closing inequities in care. Learn more about the findings from this important study: https://lnkd.in/dv3N6Fq8

Our panel of experts covered the importance of providing quality, culturally sensitive, & holistic care to underrepresented communities with limited access to healthcare. Check out the full video on YouTube! 🌟https://lnkd.in/eishCqBa

Breaking news in healthcare! 🏥📢 North Carolina takes a bold step forward with Medicare expansions. A positive shift towards accessible and inclusive healthcare for all. Let's celebrate progress and a healthier future together! 🌐💙 #MedicareExpansions #HealthcareForAll #NCHealth #SIAGroup #ProtectionBeyondInsurance

The KHC's 2023 Annual Report is now available! KHC Annual Reports from recent years past placed a heavy emphasis on change. In 2020, the KHC achieved organization independence from the UAW/Ford Community Health Initiative, launched a new website, and pivoted to virtual work in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the KHC welcomed Jenny Goins as the new President and CEO, established organizational priorities around health equity, and engaged members in the ever changing landscape of the ongoing pandemic. In 2022, the KHC updated it’s mission and mission, established a set of values, and entered the realm of policy and advocacy, particularly to advance healthcare quality and transparency. Readers of the 2023 Annual Report will notice less of an emphasis on change, and more on an emphasis of refinement and focus. Learn the full story of the KHC's year at https://lnkd.in/dbY9a97A.

We are proud to present Oregon Primary Care Association’s 40th Anniversary Annual Report, commemorating four decades of dedication to transforming primary care in Oregon. Inside, you’ll find a timeline of key health equity moments and an in-depth look at our strategic plan for the next three years. You'll also find information on our new cost-saving initiatives, an innovative legislative outcome that began in our peer groups, and updates on our special programs - Alternative Payments and Advanced Care Models (APCM), Oregon AIDs Education and Training Center (AETC), and the Oregon Network of Community Health Centers (the Network). Check out the report for all this and more on how we're honoring our community roots as we continue to cultivate health equity. We are proud to present Oregon Primary Care Association’s 40th Anniversary Annual Report, commemorating four decades of dedication to transforming primary care in Oregon. Inside, you’ll find a timeline of key health equity moments and an in-depth look at our strategic plan for the next three years. https://loom.ly/S9iBvNo

I was amazed and enlightened when I heard the phrase, "The policy will never get there unless the public gets there," especially in the context of healthcare spending. I had always believed that policymakers, with their expertise and foresight, should lead the way and educate the public on necessary policies. However, this perspective shifted my understanding of the current system—highlighting the importance of public advocacy in driving policy change. In this vein, I want to share the crucial work of my colleagues Allison Ball and Kelci Hannan, PhD. Discover more at https://lnkd.in/g2SKrf9a What do you think about the role of public advocacy in shaping healthcare policy?