March 2014 Issue

On the Ground

Take a Bow, Consumer Health Advocates!

Today, March 31 2014, marks the final day of the first open enrollment period of the Affordable Care Act. It is a historic moment and one worth celebrating! In spite of a rocky technological start, millions of Americans have enrolled in health care coverage that provides health and financial security for them and their families. 
On the Horizon

New Frontiers for Children’s Advocacy: Introducing the Alliance for Children’s Health

As the ACA is implemented, the Children's Health Insurance Program is needed to ensure continuing coverage for children. Unfortunately, the future of CHIP is uncertain. CHIP funding expires in 2015, and Congressional reauthorization is required for the program to continue.
Spotlight Event

Community Catalyst Honored by MassEquality

Kellan Baker, associate director of the LGBT Research and Communications Project at American Progress, presented Rob Restuccia, executive director, with the MassEquality Community Icon Award in recognition of Community Catalyst’s ongoing efforts to ensure access to quality affordable health coverage for LGBTQ people across the country. 

On our Minds

Let’s Get Digital: Tips and Strategies for Connecting Online

Over the past several years we’ve seen social media become pervasive in day-to-day life. From celebrities communicating with their fans, to politicians hearing directly from their constituents, to the Red Cross raising millions of dollars for disaster relief through its mobile donation campaigns, we’ve seen touching, impactful and fun connections form online. However, with so many channels and so many people using them, it can be hard to prioritize how to make the most out of limited time or resources for building a following on social media. While it’s helpful to make a plan before diving in, there are plenty of ways to get started. 
On the Issues

Hartford Grant Lends Geriatrics Expertise to Voices for Better Health

Voices for Better Health was given an exciting boost last fall when Community Catalyst received a grant from The John A. Hartford Foundation to help impart expertise from within the geriatric field to the program’s efforts.
On Our Impact

Spotlight on Joia Crear-Perry

Joia Crear-Perry, M.D. is a public health expert living in New Orleans, Louisiana, who has served on the Community Catalyst Board of Directors since 2007. She has also served as the director of clinical services for the City of New Orleans Health Department and on the executive committee of the Coalition of Leaders in Louisiana Healthcare and the New Orleans Medical Association. Recently, we asked Dr. Crear-Perry to tell us about her role on the Community Catalyst board, how she has seen the organization’s influence expand, and what she thinks national health reform will mean to the people of Louisiana.
O N   T H E   W I R E

Community Catalyst and 300 state and local groups sent a letter urging Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to ensure all consumers who have made a good faith effort to get covered can enroll in coverage. Last week HHS announced anyone who is “in line” for coverage on March 31 will be able to enroll.

Community Catalyst welcomed Dan McGrath, Executive Director of TakeAction Minnesota, as the newest member of our board of directors.

Community Catalyst Board member Karen Hicks, project manager for Covering New Hampshire, was quoted in an NPR story on ACA enrollment in New Hampshire.

Edna and Sally’s story, a video created by Voices for Better Health, was featured on The Huffington Post during Black History Month.

The Association of Health Care Journalists took note of Dental Access Project Director David Jordan and other oral health advocates’ efforts to expand access to care.

Join us in welcoming new staff members: Alberto Gonzalez, Carol Regan, Candice Singer and Natasha Tyagi.

Media Contact

Jack Cardinal
Deputy Director of Communications
617-275-2923 
jcardinal@communitycatalyst.org

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