USofCare Launches “Red State Affordability Cohort” Backing Efforts to Reduce Costs in Six States

With 84% of voters across party lines agreeing that cost is the main source of anxiety when seeking health care, there’s substantial political will to enact affordability policies in conservative-leaning states

Washington, DC — Today, United States of Care launched the latest expansion of its state health care advocacy portfolio with its new “Red State Affordability Cohort.” This partnership with six leading health care advocacy organizations in states with conservative leadership is aimed at meeting the strong demand in all states for solutions that will reduce the cost of health care for people. With the fiscal pressures caused by H.R. 1 and rising health care costs outpacing both wages and state budgets, the need for policy action is critical – and red states are primed to make progress.

The Red State Affordability Cohort will serve as a working group for cross-state collaboration and sharing insights, along with providing technical assistance, policy and communications support, and capacity reinforcement. These new or expanded partnerships include grants to: 

• Opportunity Arizona
• Georgians for a Healthy Future
• Kentucky Voices for Health
• Ohio Health Policy Alliance
• Utah Health Policy Project
• West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy 

“Every state in the country is being squeezed by the growing cost of health care – and states in conservative political environments are facing some of the toughest challenges,” said Caitlin Westerson, Senior Director of State Policy & Advocacy at United States of Care. “At the same time, these states’ history of pragmatic, fiscally-conservative policymaking – focused on local control, market-driven reforms, and transparency – provides a strong foundation for innovative approaches to improving affordability and sustainability. By launching our Red State Affordability Cohort in partnership with some of the most effective advocates and health policy leaders across the country, we’re tapping into the opportunity in red states to deliver people-centered policy change that Republicans, Democrats, and independents all support.”

United States of Care’s state footprint has continuously grown over nearly 8 years of advocacy. With the launch of the Red State Affordability Cohort, United States of Care is now supporting policy and advocacy efforts in over 18 states. As federal progress stalls but the need for reform intensifies, states are taking an even larger role shaping the health policy landscape. 

“Hardworking Arizonans deserve a dignified living, an economy that works for them, and state government that is responsive to their needs,” said Ben Scheel, Executive Director of Opportunity Arizona. “A key part of achieving that is making sure people have health care they can actually afford and understand. We’re proud to be partnering with United States of Care to build and enact policies that will deliver the future all Arizonans deserve – regardless of race, gender, income, or zip code.”

“At Georgians for a Healthy Future, our vision is of a day when all Georgians have equitable opportunities to achieve their highest level of health,” said Laura Colbert, Executive Director of Georgians for a Health Future. “By working with United States of Care to enact policies that will make health care in Georgia more affordable, we’re addressing a major barrier to health care access and equity, and moving closer to our core vision.”

“We believe that every Kentuckian should have the opportunity to live a healthy life and contribute to the health of their communities,” said Emily Beauregard, Executive Director of Kentucky Voices for Health. “In order to achieve that, Kentuckians need a health care system they can afford and depend on. Through this partnership with United States of Care, we’re working to make that a reality and deliver relief to families across Kentucky.”

“All Ohioans deserve a health care system that delivers higher value, greater transparency, and sustainable affordability,” said Robert Miller, President of Ohio Health Policy Alliance. “We look forward to working with United States of Care to support policies in Ohio that will bring down the cost of care, give Ohioans transparency into what they’re paying for when they seek care, and build lasting solutions to the health care challenges facing Ohio.”

“Access to high-quality, affordable health care should be a reality for every Utahn,” said Matt Slonaker, Executive Director of the Utah Health Policy Project. “This partnership with United States of Care builds on our ongoing work across the state, ensuring everyday Utah families can readily get the care they need.”

“Improving the economic mobility and quality of life for all West Virginians is critical,” said Kelly Allen, Executive Director of West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy. “A key part of that is making sure West Virginians can afford the health care they rely on. By partnering with United States of Care to build and implement policies that will make health care more affordable, we’re making that vision a reality – and achieving a prosperous West Virginia.”

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