Advocacy enables people to have a voice in the decisions that are made that impact them in some aspect. Effective advocacy can help inform policy at the local, state, and federal level. Health advocacy aims to change policies and practices that impact people’s health and wellbeing at the local, state, and federal levels. These type of advocacy is geared towards improving the health care system so that patients navigating the system have the means to access quality care that meets their needs. Health advocates advocate on a number of different areas of concern, such as increasing access to quality care, informing policy on health care access, urging policy makers to improve reimbursement and outcome measures, and expanding access to primary care (8).
Get involved in advocacy by helping to advocate for your community to change policies and practices at the state, local, and federal levels.
- To learn more about how to advocate on policies, visit our advocacy page https://nmhec.org/advocacy/
- Voice your concerns by submitting public comments to the Patient Protection Commission or to apply to sit on the Commission visit https://ppc.nv.gov/
- For workplace injury contact the Office for Consumer Health Assistance (OCHA) visit https://adsd.nv.gov/Programs/CHA/Office_for_Consumer_Health_Assistance_(OCHA)/
- How to be a better self-advocate at doctor appointments. (2021, July 2). Real Simple. https://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/self-advocacy-at-doctor-appointments
- How to speak up for better medical care. (n.d.). WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/aging-health-advocate
- Be your own health advocate: why it’s important & how to do it well. (n.d.). United States of Health Care. https://unitedstatesofhealthcare.com/why-is-it-important-to-be-your-own-health-advocate/
- Glossary of billing terms. (n.d.). Dignity Health | Hello humankindness. https://www.dignityhealth.org/las-vegas/patients-and-visitors/for-patients/billing-and-payment/glossary-of-billing-terms
- Systemedic. (2020, September 15). Common medical billing terms you should understand. Health Insurance Claims Advocate. https://get-meducated.com/2020/07/common-medical-billing-terms-you-should-understand/
- WPS Health Insurance and WPS Health Plan. (n.d.). Common Health Insurance Terms and Definitions. https://www.wpshealth.com/resources/customer-resources/health-insurance-terminology.shtml
- Tips to help you advocate for your health. (2022, March 7). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/tips-to-help-you-advocate-for-your-health-5219442#toc-find-the-right-healthcare-professional
- Just a moment… (n.d.). Just a moment… https://patientengagementhit.com/news/patient-centered-care-lacking-for-minorities-low-income-patients
- Patient advocacy engagement toolkit | Immune deficiency Foundation. (n.d.). Immune Deficiency Foundation |. https://primaryimmune.org/patient-advocacy-engagement-toolkit
- Making the most of your health care visit. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/making-the-most-of-your-health-care-visit
- Health Partners. (n.d.). Picking a Health Insurance Plan: Top 10 Questions to Ask. https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/10-questions-to-ask-when-picking-a-plan/
- Smith, Y. (2019, June 20) Doctor-Patient Relationship. News Medical Life Sciences. https://www.news-medical.net/health/DoctorPatient-Relationship.aspx
- Katelle, K. (2020, January 15) Can a Second Opinion Make a Difference? https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/second-opinions#:~:text=%E2%80%9CA%20second%20opinion%20is%20most,where%20cases%20may%20be%20presented.