Volunteer advocate Heather Manning who lives in Michigan's 12th district attended a town hall meeting arranged by Congressman Sander Levin to discuss challenges and solutions to America's health care system, among other issues.  But most important, Ms. Manning was there to encourage Rep. Levin in his continued efforts to pass historic health care reform legislation this year. 

Ms. Manning was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in June 2008 and worked part-time during her treatment so that she would not lose her health insurance.  "It has been difficult to work fewer hours, get paid less and then turn around and pay thousands of dollars in medical bills.  My co-pays for treatments, prescriptions, appointments and hospitalizations have put me in a financial crisis. And I am behind on my bills because of my illness," said Health Manning, a resident of Clinton Township, Michigan.

View Press Release

In July 2009, NPAF President & CEO, Nancy Davenport-Ennis, participated on a panel entitled, "Comparative Effectiveness: Better Care of Rationing", at the 2009 National Conference of States Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summitt in Philadelphia, PA. 

Panelists examined comparative effectiveness programs and discussed the sometimes controversial provisions of the stimulus law aimed at funding and distributing medical research that compares the benefits and risks of medical treatments.

View Panel Presentations

On August 6th, 2009, several National Patient Advocate Foundation volunteer advocates who live in New York's 2nd district attended a community gathering arranged by Congressman Steve Israel to discuss challenges and solutions to America's health care system.

The patient advocates who participated came with real life stories representing a myriad of frustrations all too common with today's system, including denied insurance claims, preexisting condition challenges, high out-of-pocket expenses, and caps on care.  One such patient, Virginia from Central Islip was diagnosed with stage 3 uterine cancer in 2003.  Her private insurance would not cover her participation in a treatment study and left her with more than $15,000 in medical debt.  Unable to pay her mounting medical bills out-of-pocket, the medical center where Virginia received her treatment garnished her bank account, leaving her without access to her finances for weeks.

Read NPAF's Press Release

There are some individuals and groups that do not want to see health care reform enacted for a variety of reasons.  While NPAF respects all views, we do not support playing politics with people's health and lives.  Americans need health care reform that will ensure high-quality and affordable health coverage for all!  NPAF developed the document "Dispelling the Myths of Health Care Reform" and encourages you to help dispel some of the myths that are circulating about health care reform.

Dispelling the Myths of Health Care Reform