MCDIN - Asthma Advocacy

Advocacy provides you with links to organizations working to provide you with the resources needed to promote effective disease management. Learn about legislation, grant programs, government initiatives and managed care policies that affect the quality of chronic disease care on the local, state, and national levels. Other miscellaneous advocacy resources for the non-profit sector are also included here.

Advocacy Related Issues:

Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs:

To make it easier for physicians to identify the growing number of programs available for needy patients, member companies of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) created a directory which lists pharmaceutical company programs that provide drugs to physicians whose patients could not otherwise afford them. The programs are listed alphabetically by company. Under the entry for each program is information about how to make a request for assistance, what prescription medicines are covered, and basic eligibility criteria.

To view the 1999-2000 directory in Adobe Acrobat PDF format, click Directory of Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs.

Managed Care Legislation:

(Waltham, Mass. – July 21, 2000)
The Massachusetts Medical Society today heralded the enactment of comprehensive managed care legislation, following Governor Cellucci’s signature of the bill into law this afternoon.

“Today is a great day for Massachusetts health care," said Virginia T. Latham, M.D., president of the Massachusetts Medical Society. "Thanks to this legislation, medical decisions have finally been returned to the patient and the physician. This law provides patients with important assurances that they will get the care they need, when they need it.”

Organizations Working To Advocate For Effective Asthma Care
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBS)	Blue Cross & Blue Shield regularly reviews its medical policies. For more information, call Electric Blue Review @ 617-832-7415.
Medical Policy Review

Massachusetts Medical Society	The purpose of the Mass Medical Society is to do all of the things necessary and appropriate to advance medical knowledge and to develop and maintain the highest professional and ethical standards of medical practice. This informative site contains journal publications, many community health resources and breaking news in the health care industry.
District Medical Societies
Committees on Legislation/ Community Action
Committee on the Quality of Medical Practice, B. Dale Magee, M.D. M.S., Chair

Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA)	The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, and by lobbying the legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.
Massachusetts Hospital Association (MHA)	Through leadership in public advocacy, education, and information, MHA represents and advocates for the collective interests of its member hospitals and health systems, and supports their efforts to provide high quality, cost effective, and accessible care. The site also contains links to a multitude of health care related sites across the country.
Massachusetts Home & Health Care Association	The Home & Health Care Association of Massachusetts is a statewide organization dedicated to promoting home health care as an integral part of the health care delivery system.
Health Care For All (HCFA)	Health Care For All's Policy Department monitors and analyzes public policy affecting Massachusetts residents' access to health care. It is affiliated with Health Law Advocates, Inc. (HLA) in Boston, MA, a public interest law firm founded in 1996. HLA is the only non-profit law firm in the country that is affiliated with a grass roots organization and is dedicated solely to ensuring access to health care for society's most vulnerable members. This alliance has added legal tools to Health Care For All's organizing and policy expertise.
Healthy Homes for Healthy Kids (Website in Progress)	Advocates for city and state laws, changes that will regulate policies and problems, and funding sources to responsibly address children's health & housing conditions.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts/ Advocacy Resources
State of Massachusetts Homepage	Links to State Agencies serving the health and health information needs of the citizens of the Commonwealth.
Executive Office of Health & Human Services
Division of Medical Assistance
Department of Public Health
Division of Health Care Finance & Policy

State Senators & Representatives	Look-up your state senator or representative. Learn what committees he/she serves on and how to contact him/her to advocate for your patients.
Search Current Legislation & Laws in MA.	The Legislature provides this information as a public service. To verify information about pending legislation, you can call either the Senate Clerk's Office at (617) 722-1276 or the House Clerk's Office at (617) 722-2356.
Federal & National Advocacy Resources
American Lung Association	The American Lung Association serves as the hub of a nation- wide legislative network that enables state and local ALA volunteers to participate in grassroots advocacy on a variety of lung health-related public policy initiatives.
American Academy of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology	An organization devoted to the study and treatment of allergic disease through education, research and cooperation.
Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America	Devoted to improving the quality of life for people with asthma and allergies through education, research, and advocacy.
National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)	This organization measures the quality of America's health care.
Agency for Healthcare Policy & Research (AHRQ)	AHRQ, part of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, is the lead agency charged with supporting research designed to improve the quality of health care, reduce its cost, and broaden access to essential services.
U. S. Department of Health & Human Services	The Department of Health & Human Services is the United States government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.
JAMA Asthma Information Center	An asthma information center of the Journal of the American Medical Association which provides the latest asthma treatment updates.
Other Resources To Help You Advocate
Associated Grantmakers of Massachusetts (AGM)	AGM is the regional association of grantmakers serving the Commonwealth and the premier organization in New England supporting nonprofits engaged in corporate and foundation fund- raising. AGM bridges the gap between grant-makers and grant-seekers, providing both communities with professional support and skill development opportunities, while elevating the impact of philanthropy.
The Non-Profit Zone	This volunteer-run and funded website provides links to information on how to lobby & become actively involved in activities. They will research federal legislators working on topics of interest to you at no cost.
The Non-Profit Lobbying Guide, 2nd Edition, by Bob Smucker	The Independent Sector has made this publication available. Download the sections of this book that are of interest to you and your advocacy efforts. Chapters include "Effective Communication" & "The Legislative Process.
How to be Heard: A Guide to Advocacy & Community Organizations	This on-line guide published by the Center for Community Change gives basic tips on advocacy skills such as choosing an issue and overcoming the obstacles.
American Academy of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology Media Kit	This is a free kit for health professionals interested in communicating asthma issues and concerns within their community or with the media. Free fact sheets and clip art are included.

"Sharing approaches...improving lives"

Welcome to Asthma Advocacy:

Massachusetts Chronic Disease Improvement Network