In 2017, patients like you participated in research, attended conferences and took action on important health care changes. Check out some of the ways the PatientsLikeMe community is raising a unified voice on health care.
“Patients are a key piece to healthcare’s puzzle”
Back in May, PatientsLikeMe, the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy and Arc Fusion teamed up with strategic thinkers and doers from across the health care spectrum— from clinicians, payers and policy makers to FDA regulators, journalists and attorneys. The goal of the event was to discuss how real-world health data, generated by real people like you on PatientsLikeMe, can shape decision making in the health care industry.
PatientsLikeMe members attended the event including Laura, Geof, Jim, Letitia, Gary, Lisa and Allison. After an evening of frank conversation, eclectic talks and performance, Laura wrapped up the event with a moving rendition of Ragtime’s Make Them Hear You.
Reflecting on the event she said: “Patients are the key piece to healthcare’s puzzle. Being a part of the Arc Fusion program and dinner was invigorating and so rewarding, as people from all aspects of healthcare, including patients like me, came together to place that puzzle piece. I can’t wait to continue my involvement in the future of health care.”
Sally Okun (PatientsLikeMe VP of Policy & Ethics), who organized and attended the event, said “Dinner conversations were provocative, candid, inspiring, and challenging. Overall there is great interest in elevating patient data to the level of evidence. PatientsLikeMe is actively engaged in innovative collaborations with regulators, policy makers and researchers to help them better understand the value and unique characteristics of data generated by patients.”
Members take a stand: The 7 essentials for a health care plan
Repeal? Replace? Revise? Following the twists and turns of the debate about health care this past year might have felt riding a roller coaster. (Need a refresher? Check out this timeline that breaks down the healthcare legislation efforts). But, according to a PatientsLikeMe poll, patients are largely unified on what a strong health care policy looks like.
2,755 members – from all 50 states and across party lines – added their voices, and at least 95 percent agree on the top 7 priorities of a strong health care policy (see the highlights of the poll results and the latest trends in patients’ opinions.)
Taking action
When we released the PatientsLikeMe healthcare poll results this past spring, the Republican majority in Congress was trying to pass the American Health Care Act (AHCA), which would’ve repealed most of the Affordable Care Act, or “Obamacare.”
Many members didn’t just take part in the poll, they went one step further. They shared the poll results — showing the largely united patient voice — along with their personal views in messages to their members of Congress through this Take Action page.
What’s the one change you think is most needed in the health care system? Are you a PatientsLikeMe member? Head to the forum to add your voice.
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i AM AGAINST ALL THE HEALTH BILLS OUT THERE. I HAD MEDICAID WITH MEDICARE AND THEY CAUSE PROBLEMS WHEN YOU DONT MEET YOUR SPENDDOWN SO i WENT TO AARP PLAN F COVERS EVERYTHING BUT NO DENTAL, NO VISION, NO TRANSPORTATION. YET THIS IS HIGH PREMIUM NOT HMO NOT PPO. NOW I LIKE TO HAVE DENTAL NO INSURANCE HAS DENTAL ONLY PROGRAMS THAT GIVE U A DISCOUNT OR %. i HAVE FRIENDS WHO HAVE HMO OR PPO AND THEY PAY FOR EVERYTHING. ONE TIME IF YOU WERE A DIABETIC YOU WOULD GET A FREE PAIR OF SHOES NOT YOU PAY A %. GOING EVERYTIME TO A DR OR A DENTIST COST . IF YOU CANT AFFORD A DOCTOR OR DENTIST YOUR HEALTH FAILS. SO WHY DONT THE GOVT LISTEN TO US AND GO BACK TO THE GOOD OLD DAYS. THE GOVT IS KILLING US AND HAS NO COMPASSION FOR OUR HEALTH. I AM 71 AT THIS AGE OUR HEALTH STARTS FAILING US AND ALSO OUR TEETH. I AM GETTING TO THE FACT TO HATE ALL OUR POLITICAN . OUR HEALTH IS FAILING US.