« December 2013 Issue
The Outlook for Health Philanthropy: A Conversation with Kate Villers
Over the past 30 years, Community Catalyst Founder and President Kate Villers has been a hands-on leader in developing both health advocacy philanthropy and a national consumer-based health reform movement rooted in states and communities.
More than 200 friends and supporters gathered on December 3rd in Boston to celebrate Community Catalyst’s 15th Anniversary and honor Kate. At this milestone moment, we asked Kate to share some of her thoughts on the important role philanthropy plays in the health reform movement and future directions for both.
Where have you seen philanthropy effectively advance consumer health advocacy efforts?
I could write a book about this, but the shorthand version is this. Now that a far-reaching national health reform law is on the books, both health philanthropy and consumer-based advocacy infrastructure in states and communities have come full circle. They both worked for this achievement. Today, organized networks of consumer advocates, foundations, stakeholders, and state and federal policymakers in nearly every state are working closely with each other in the complicated and politically charged process of implementing the ACA. Because of strategic support from philanthropy, consumer groups are coalition leaders, key players at strategy tables, and on the ground in communities where they are engaging citizens in a wide variety of advocacy roles.
With passage of the ACA, what health-related consumer advocacy efforts now are ripe for investment?
The real work is just beginning. Community Catalyst and its state and national partners are working on a wide range of new policy frontiers: oversight of hospital and health plan performance, the pricing and supply of prescription drugs, integration of medical and community support services for people with disabilities and other delivery reforms, and increased access to oral health, mental health, and other vital services that are in too short supply for those in need and traditionally have been segmented from mainstream health policy debate. Finally, consumer-led advocacy campaigns are underway in 11 southern states and 14 others where refusals by governors to accept federal funds to expand state Medicaid programs deny millions of low-wage workers and families access to coverage and care. Concerted advocacy pressure has already moved governors in six states from opposition to expansion. With adequate financial support, campaigns in additional states can deliver similar results.
What’s next for the health advocacy movement?
Several factors are favoring growth of the movement, and I see two main future directions: deepening work in communities, and developing new arenas for consumer voice and action to have impact. A paradoxical result of current political debate about the ACA is that for the first time very broad swaths of the public are connecting the dots between their personal situations and policymaker decision-making. The advocacy infrastructure now established in over 40 states offers multiple points of connection for consumers to obtain information and support for both their personal and collective actions. Exciting new communication tools such as social media are leveraging the impacts of both advocacy organizations and individuals. Other movements also are joining and lending strength to the health justice movement: in the South, anti-poverty advocates are supporting state Medicaid expansion campaigns; elsewhere, voter registration advocates are linking up with ground troops engaged in ACA outreach and enrollment; and, national social insurance organizations are working with Community Catalyst and state health reform advocates to preserve and improve Medicare and Medicaid for the long term.
We've never had a bigger need than today for an organized, nimble and well-resourced consumer voice in health decision-making. Change is overtaking nearly every aspect of health care delivery and financing. In this process, there is danger that the best capitalized, most bottom-line players will benefit disproportionally in an increasingly market-driven system. Consumer advocates need to be present and able to hold their own in shaping decisions at all levels: in communities, in health plan and provider board rooms, and with state and federal elected officials and public agencies.
-- R. Scott Reedy, Associate Director, Development