Healthcare is about 18 percent of our country’s GDP—almost $13,500 per person. Costs are going up and by many measures, we’re not getting healthier. Chronic disease isn’t just a federal-budget problem—it affects every level of government and every employer, and of course, individuals and families. Chronic conditions make it hard and sometimes impossible to work, while also eating away at finances, energy and other aspects of a good life. See our 2024 national survey results here for data that illuminates the impact.
The Chronic Disease Coalition is committed to advocating on behalf of patients, and helping them advocate for themselves. We know their challenges and put them at the center of our policy platform.
Access to Care: The Coalition advocates for expanded access to comprehensive care and treatment options, ensuring that individuals facing long-term health challenges receive the support and resources they need to make their own healthcare choices.
Affordability for Patients: The Chronic Disease Coalition advocates for reducing patients’ cost through improved management of both rare and common chronic conditions. We also work to dismantle financial barriers to healthcare to ensure families don’t have to choose between paying rent and paying for treatment.
Representation: The Chronic Disease Coalition supports greater patient representation in regulatory and legislative processes (rare disease advisory councils and chronic kidney disease task forces) as well as greater consideration of how policies can affect different communities in different ways (health equity, community health, food deserts).
As the legislative session begins, we ask that legislators look at all healthcare bills through the lens of access, affordability and representation.
Please send this message to your legislators and, if you’re comfortable, tell your own personal story in the first block. Policy analysis is important, but personal stories are motivating, and lawmakers want to hear what’s really happening to people in their districts and states.