A note from our Executive Director: February 2018

At the close of our first week, I wanted to say thank you to the thousands of people that came to our site, signed up to get updates, and those that donated!

I also want to take the opportunity to answer some questions you have. As a brand new organization with a broad and ambitious mission of expanding health care to all, we have received questions about our work. Below we’ve provided answers to some of the most common inquiries; we are sure that more questions will keep coming and we look forward to continuing the dialogue.

We are excited for the work ahead. It’s time to create a system that’s better for everyone. We have a lot to do if we’re going to be ready to seize the moment in the coming months and years to enact lasting policies.

Can I get involved?

Yes! As we build out our work in states, we will be looking for volunteer partners on the ground. In the meantime, we would love for you to spread the word about this effort to your friends. Share our work on social media using the tag #healthcareoverpolitics and please sign up at the bottom of this page to make sure you’re getting updates as we grow our work.

My organization is interested in working with United States of Care – what is the best way to connect?

We are eager to work with like minded organizations and excited to start partnering with people across the country. Please get in touch, and we will reach back out to you as soon as we can.

Who are your funders?

Our funders are individuals and non-profit health care organizations including not-for-profit charity hospitals and foundations.

We have not and will not accept funding from trade associations, PACs, insurance companies, or for-profit corporations.

Why do you support principles instead of naming policies?

We launched with a focus on principles to keep open the largest range of potential solutions. By remaining focused on the outcome versus getting attached to single policy ideas from the outset, we believe we can better find a path forward. We will evaluate policy ideas on their merits and alignment with our principles, and their ability to make health care more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Part of our work in evaluating and creating policies will be done in partnership with Penn LDI. This week we published a paper evaluating several recent state-level attempts to provide health coverage to more people,  including single payer, buy-in, and expansion policies. This review is the first step in our partnership, and we will do additional studies on multiple approaches, including examining cost. You can read the paper here.

Does United States of Care oppose single payer or Medicare for All?

No.

United States of Care will identify, evaluate, and provide support for policies that meet our principles: affordable care for all Americans that protects against financial devastation. Our priority is to engage the public for a range of solutions.

What is the role of the Founder’s Council?

The United States of Care Founder’s Council bring a diversity of perspectives, including patients and caregivers, disability advocates, clinicians and other care providers, policy experts, former elected and appointed officials, advocates, and more.

These individuals joined the effort because they are aligned with the mission and principles of United States of Care and want to break the logjam in Washington to move the conversation forward on expanding health care.

The Founder’s Council members serve as informal advisors on specific matters, offering their diverse expertise and to provide targeted advice as the organization builds out the work. They do not have any expectation that they control the direction of the organization or our policy work.

What is the role of your Board of Directors?

We have constructed a board of experienced people who support the mission and principles of the organization and provide a wide variety of relevant expertise in governance and health care delivery and policy. Board members will not agree on every policy, but we believe in hearing a diversity of opinions on how best to serve all Americans.