Health Care -- Legislation, Organizations, Issues

 

Find legal information in your zip code for health care issues including access, death, women's, children's, men's, and healthcare for seniors.


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Access to Health Care 

AAFP (American Association of Family Physicians)

AAFP represents family physicians, family medicine residents, and medical students, providing outstanding advocacy, practice enhancement, education, and health of the public resources.

Take action using: State Legislation Conference, Advocacy assests, Track Legislation, Find your representatives, etc. Take action to keep and promote the specialty of Family Medicine.

https://www.aafp.org/advocacy/states.html

https://www.aafp.org/advocacy.html (Advocacy topics/isses/resources)

RHI Hub (Rural Health Information Hub)

State-by-state breakdown of rural health resources. Also includes information for U.S. Territories, Commonwealths and resources available to all states.

https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/guides  (Find your State Resources)

https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/healthcare-access#improve-access

NAFC (National Association of Free Charitable Clinics)

The NAFC monitors proposed rules and regulations, legislation and other important issues to monitor important issues to Free and Charitable Clinics and to the medically underserved.

http://www.nafcclinics.org/content/advocacy-center  (Advocacy Issues)

http://www.nafcclinics.org/content/get-involved  (Take Action)

Cancer Action Network (CAN) 

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society.

CAN works in every state and in Congress to expand health care options and protect existing laws that help patients get true access to the care they need by advocating legislation. 

https://www.acscan.org/what-we-do/access-health-care (Find Your State's National Actions)

https://www.acscan.org/states/national/actions  (Ways to Take Action) 

Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS)

A nonprofit policy center dedicated to improving the health of low-income Americans.

https://www.chcs.org/topics/health-care-coverage-and-access/ (Resources and Current Projects) 

Aid in Dying (Right to Die, Assisted Suicide)

DD Death with Dignity National Center

Death With Dignity partners with local advocates, grassroots groups, and organizations, providing them with technical assistance in terms of strategy, online organizing, or fundraising, and looking to them for their local expertise and leadership in order to bring Death with Dignity to their state.

https://www.deathwithdignity.org/take-action/ (Take Action in your State)

Compassion & Choices

Compassion & Choices, committed to improving care, expanding options for the end of life by advocacy on the State and Federal levels, legal advocacy, and providing access to the end-of-life research centers.  

https://www.compassionandchoices.org/take-action/ (Take Action)

Children’s Health

AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) 

AAP advocates for the health of all children by working with government, communities and other national organizations. 

Community advocacy includes creating programs and services, developing partnerships, and changing public policies, laws, and practices to improve children's health. 

https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/community-advocacy/Pages/Community-Advocacy.aspx   (Community Advocacy information)

Children's Health Fund

Children's Health Fund (CHF) is a non-profit organization that provides health care to children and families on mobile medical clinics throughout the United States. CHF was founded in 1987 by singer/songwriter Paul Simon and pediatrician/advocate Irwin Redlener, M.D. and works to shape policy at the federal, state and local levels.

Policy priorities include, ACA (Affordable Care Act), Education and Healthcare, Transportation barriers to Healthcare, Immigration reform in Healthcare and Child Poverty to list a few. 

https://www.childrenshealthfund.org/how-you-can-help/ (Ways to get invovled and advocate

Child Health Advocacy Institute (CHAI)

Child Health Advocacy Institute (CHAI) a hospital-based center focused on developing outreach programs and policies for children.

Using a population health approach, CHAI works both on the ground and with policymakers to combat the most pressing health issues such as: mental health, ashtma, obesity. 

https://childrensnational.org/advocacy-and-outreach/in-the-community/chai-programs

(Outreach Programs/Community Partnerships etc.) 

The Children's Hospital Association (CHA)

CHA is an organization of children's hospitals with more than 200 members in the United States, Australia, Canada, Italy, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

Key issues important to children's hospitals and children's health with a focus on public policy and public health. Issues: Medicaid, Complex Medical Conditions, Healthcare coverage. 

https://www.childrenshospitals.org/Issues-and-Advocacy  -  (Issues and Advocacy)

Children's Defense Fund (CDF)

The Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) is a non-profit child advocacy organization that champions policies and programs that lift children out of poverty; protect them from abuse and neglect; and ensure their access to health care, quality education and a moral and spiritual foundation.

The various ways to get involved and take action: contact congress/volunteer/ voting/

http://www.childrensdefense.org/take-action/ (Take Action)

The Children's Defense Fund Action Council (CDFA)

The Children's Defense Fund Action Council's Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life. 

In 2018, the CDF Action Council will launch tools to help the public understand the impact of Congressional action and hold members' feet to the fire in the interest of children - the site will soon offer a non-partisan congressional scorecard to be able to monitor all actions. 

http://www.cdfactioncouncil.org/ 

Health Insurance (Obamacare, Trumpcare)

NCSL (National Conference of State Legislatures)

NCSL has extensive information describing current laws, pending bills and latest federal guidance and rules from HHS. 

Check out recent laws, bill tracking health insurance changes and more.

http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/health-insurance.aspx 

Families USA -The Voice For Healthcare Consumers

A non-profit, non-partisan organziation working at the national, state and community levels. 

Families USA Action Center is a way to get involved to Protect your healthcare/ meet with your lawmakers/tag your senators on Twitter and more!

http://familiesusa.org/take-action

Medicare

Center For Medicare Advocacy

The Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. is a national nonprofit, nonpartisan law organization providing education, advocacy and legal assistance to help older people and people with disabilities obtain access to Medicare and quality health care. 

Current actions and ways to get involved.

http://www.medicareadvocacy.org/take-action/

Medicare.gov

The official US Government site for Medicare.  Know your rights and protections. 

https://www.medicare.gov/claims-and-appeals/medicare-rights/get-help/ombudsman.html

PAF - Patient Advocacy Foundation

Patient Advocate Foundation's Patient Services provides patients with arbitration, mediation and negotiation to settle issues with access to care, medical debt, and job retention related to their illness.

Resources and ways to monitor Healthcare reform for Medicare

http://www.patientadvocate.org/resources.php?p=180

Families USA -The Voice For Healthcare Consumers

A non-profit, non-partisan organziation working at the national, state and community levels. 

Families USA Action Center is a way to get involved to Protect your healthcare/ meet with your lawmakers/tag your senators on Twitter and more!

http://familiesusa.org/take-action

Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS)

A nonprofit policy center dedicated to improving the health of low-income Americans.

https://www.chcs.org/topics/medicare-medicaid-long-term-care/ (Resources and Current Projects) 

Medicaid

PAF - Patient Advocacy Foundation

Patient Advocate Foundation's Patient Services provides patients with arbitration, mediation and negotiation to settle issues with access to care, medical debt, and job retention related to their illness.

Resources and ways to monitor Healthcare reform for Medicaid

http://www.patientadvocate.org/resources.php?p=180

Families USA -The Voice For Healthcare Consumers

A non-profit, non-partisan organziation working at the national, state and community levels. 

Families USA Action Center is a way to get involved to Protect your healthcare/ meet with your lawmakers/tag your senators on Twitter and more!

http://familiesusa.org/take-action

Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS)

A nonprofit policy center dedicated to improving the health of low-income Americans.

https://www.chcs.org/topics/medicare-medicaid-long-term-care/ (Resources and Current Projects) 

Mental Health

National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma and Mental Health 

A List of Mental Health Policy and Advocacy Organizations

http://www.nationalcenterdvtraumamh.org/resources/mental-health-policy-and-advocacy-organizations/

NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness 

Nami is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. 

NAMI advocates for an array of issues including:

  • Protecting people’s access to treatment and services
  • Attaining mental health parity
  • Securing better funding for research

https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Take-Action-on-Advocacy-Issues (Take Action)

 MHA - Mental Health America 

Mental Health America’s Advocacy Network is made up of thousands of individuals nationwide who take an active role in protecting America’s mental health through legislative advocacy.

http://takeaction.mentalhealthamerica.net/site/PageServer#lp  (Take Action)

DBSA - Depression and Bi-Polar Support Alliance

DBSA is the leading peer-directed national organization focusing on the two most prevalent mental health conditions, depression and bipolar disorder. 

https://secure2.convio.net/dabsa/site/SPageServer/?pagename=help_advocacy_become_an_advocate (Many ways to take action and advocate)

Treatment Advocacy Center

The Treatment Advocacy Center is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to making treatment possible for severe mental illness.

Advocate on the State and Federals on these issues: criminalization of mental illness, consequences of non-treatment, psychiatric bed shortages and more.

http://www.cqrcengage.com/treatmentadvocacycenter/?0

The Bazelon Center For Mental Health Law

The Bazelon Center has spent decades reforming health systems and expanding access to needed mental health services.

Find advocacy resoures in your state. 

http://www.bazelon.org/resource-library/advocacy-resources/

Veteran's Health

NOVA - National Organization of Veteran's Advocates, Inc.

NOVA is a not-for-profit educational membership organization of attorneys and other qualified members who act as advocates for disabled veterans

Find an advocate in your area and other resources. 

https://vetadvocates.org/veterans-help/why-professional-advocacy-is-the-veterans-best-option/

Women’s Health

National Women's Health Network (NWHN)

NWHN is made up of consumer activists, supported by a national membership of thousands of individuals who shape policy and support consumer health decisions; monitor the actions of Federal regulatory and funding agencies, the health care industry, and the health professions; identify and expose health care abuses; and mobilize grassroots action for women’s health. 

Advocacy topics like better screening, dangerous drugs/devices, generic drugs, and more.

https://nwhn.org/our-advocacy-issues/

Planned Parenthood 

Planned Parenthood Federation of America is a nonprofit organization that provides sexual health care in the United States and globally.

Ways to take action and advocate.

https://www.istandwithpp.org/take-action

Center for Reproductive Rights

For 25 years, the Center for Reproductive Rights has been working in and out of the courts to advance reproductive freedom as a fundamental human right. We engage with policymakers to promote proactive laws and to defeat discriminatory or dangerous ones.

https://www.reproductiverights.org/take-action  (Ways YOU can take action) 

Ballotopedia Tracking of Abortion Laws in Each State

https://ballotpedia.org/Abortion_regulations_by_state 

 





Jurisdictional relevance: US

Legal Consumer - Hennepin County, MNLaw. The content of this article pertains to all US states and counties.