Make a Difference
Activist Toolkit — Materials
Newsletter Template: Short Version
America Needs Better Care!
The Campaign for Better Care knows that better coordination means better care! This growing movement of patients, caregivers, advocates and concerned citizens is working to ensure that we all realize the promise of health reform by ensuring that the new law is implemented in ways that make care better for patients. The Campaign focuses on improving health care coordination and communication for older patients with multiple health problems and their family caregivers. This means advocating for a system in which doctors and other health care providers are encouraged to talk to one other, share results and diagnoses, and engage patients and families in their health care. The Campaign is mobilizing a consumer movement of and for older adults and individuals with multiple chronic conditions to advocate for the comprehensive, coordinated, patient- and family-centered care they need and deserve. Be a part of it! Check out the Campaign website at CampaignforBetterCare.org to learn more about the Campaign and how to get involved.
Newsletter Template: Long Version
America Needs Better Care!
The
Campaign For Better Care knows that better coordination means better care! This growing movement of patients, caregivers, advocates and concerned citizens is working to ensure that we all realize the promise of health reform by ensuring that the new legislation is implemented in ways that make care better for patients.
Run by the National Partnership for Women & Families, Community Catalyst and the National Health Law Program, this multi-year initiative focuses on improving health care coordination and communication for older patients with multiple health problems and their family caregivers. This means advocating for a system in which doctors and other health
care providers are encouraged to talk to one other, share results and diagnoses, and engage patients and families in their health care.
The Campaign commissioned a national survey of Americans age 50 or older, conducted by Lake Research Partners and found that three in four respondents (74 percent) have wished that their doctors talked and shared information with each other. Millions have experienced problems related to a lack of communication and coordination. Other findings:
- 40 percent of people who take five or more medications, and one in three people age 50 or older say their doctors do not talk to them about potential interactions with other drugs or over-the-counter medications when prescribing new medications
- 36 percent of heavy users of the health care system, and 20 percent of people age 50 or older, say they have received conflicting information from different doctors.
- One in eight (13 percent) respondents has had to redo a test or procedure because the doctor or hospital did not have the earlier results.
- Three-quarters of heavy users of the health care system (76 percent) have left a doctor’s office or hospital confused about what to do at home.
The Campaign is mobilizing a consumer movement of and for older adults and individuals with multiple chronic conditions to advocate for the comprehensive, coordinated, patient- and family-centered care they need and deserve.
Be a part of it! Check out the Campaign website at www.CampaignforBetterCare.org to learn more about the Campaign and how to get involved.
