Accessia Health Advocates for Patient Access on Capitol Hill
Patient access to healthcare is a complex challenge, especially for individuals living with rare diseases or chronic conditions. In October, Accessia Health recently brought this issue directly to Capitol Hill, meeting with Senators, Representatives, and their staff to discuss how legislation can improve timely access to care and reduce financial stress for patients.
Why Access Matters
For patients managing complex health conditions, delays in treatment or confusing authorization processes can have real consequences. Beyond the physical impact, the financial burden of navigating insurance and other healthcare expenses adds an additional layer of stress. Accessia Health works to alleviate these challenges by connecting patients with resources that make care more affordable and accessible.
The Legislation in Focus
Several bills currently under consideration in Congress are designed to improve patient access:
- Safe Step Act: Aims to streamline the process for approving new treatments.
- HELP Copays Act: Focuses on reducing financial barriers by addressing out-of-pocket costs.
- Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act: Seeks to ensure older adults can receive care without unnecessary delays.
- Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act: Prioritizes timely access to treatments for pediatric patients.
These policies share a common goal: improving transparency, accountability, and patient outcomes. By shortening approval timelines and clarifying authorization processes, patients can receive necessary treatments faster and with fewer administrative hurdles.
The Role of Advocacy
Our advocacy efforts are strengthened by the voices of patients themselves. During Hill Day, patient advocates shared firsthand experiences of how delays in care and financial stress affect their daily lives. These stories are powerful tools for influencing policy, reminding legislators that healthcare legislation has a direct impact on real people.
We also want to acknowledge the work of our Washington correspondents team at the Health and Medicine Counsel, whose guidance and organizational expertise were critical to the success of these meetings.
By combining patient advocacy with targeted legislation, we can create a healthcare system that prioritizes timely access, financial support, and better outcomes for patients. We remain committed to educating policymakers and the public about the importance of these initiatives and supporting policies that put patients first.
“I’m deeply grateful to the advocates who took time out of their busy schedules to join us, and to the congressional offices who met with us and engaged in conversations about improving access to care,” said President Tiara Green. “We look forward to continuing this vital work in policy and advocacy, advancing health equity one step at a time.”
Continue Learning and Taking Action
Advocacy doesn’t end with one day on Capitol Hill. Accessia Health remains committed to advocating for policies that put patients first. Together with our patient advocates and partners, we continue working toward a future where every patient has timely, transparent, and affordable access to the care they need.
To learn more about our current advocacy efforts, legislative priorities, and how you can get involved, visit our Advocacy page. Together, we can continue to advance policies that prioritize timely, affordable, and equitable access to healthcare for all patients.