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Andy Slavitt unveils ‘United States of Care’ to promote accessible, affordable care
Former CMS administrator Andy Slavitt has launched a new bipartisan nonprofit organization called the United States of Care to ensure access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans regardless of health status, social need or income.
The organization’s initiative gained support from ACP, which noted that the United States of Care’s mission is aligned with ACP’s commitment to universal coverage and access to care.
“Today launches a new movement to attempt to get past the politics and get affordable care for every American. The work is just beginning and we need everyone to participate to change things,” Slavitt tweeted on Feb. 6.
According to the United States of Care, its principles are to develop policies that focus on providing affordable regular sources of care, protection against financial devastation and political and economic viability. The organization plans to achieve these principles by harnessing public and expert opinion to craft policies, offering support and resources to state and federal policymakers, identifying and creating innovative solutions to expanding access to affordable care and driving change that enhances the long-term well-being of Americans.
The bipartisan Board of Directors includes Slavitt, Steve Beshear, Kristie Canegallo, Jim Douglas, Dave Durenberger, William Frist, MD, and Rhonda Medows, MD. Members of the Founder’s Council include Atul Gawande, MD, Patrick Conway, MD, Mark Cuban, Tom Daschle and Mike Leavitt.
“We must change the conversation and create a new narrative that puts health care over politics by redefining the goal in human, not political terms, and supporting a positive, practical, and lasting approach,” the United States of Care wrote on its website.
In a press release, the ACP expressed its agreement with the United States of Care on the need for health policy programs that lower health care costs while improving access, rather than disruptive solutions that fail to tackle barriers to access and limit care.
“The United States of Care offers an opportunity for physicians to join with others to reach consensus on vital policies to increase access to care for Americans, helping physicians become better advocates for patients and their unique needs,” Jack Ende, MD, president of ACP, said in the release. “We are especially encouraged by the initiative’s emphasis on grass roots advocacy, engaging stakeholders, reaching out to consumers, offering health policy expertise to state and federal lawmakers, and promoting state-based programs as precursors to national policies.” – by Alaina Tedesco
Disclosure: Healio Internal Medicine was unable to confirm relevant financial disclosures at the time of publication.