American Cancer Society, Eastern Division

As New York State implements Federal health care reform over the next three years, it is essential that critical decisions are made in the best interests of consumers.

Led by the American Cancer Society, Eastern Division, Inc. (ACS), Health Care for All New York (HCFANY) planned to analyze important State implementation issues from the perspective of consumers, including building health insurance exchanges and developing coverage options and benefit packages.

ACS planned to undertake the following activities: 1) develop short policy analyses of key consumer issues in implementing reform; 2) maintain a personal story bank that highlights different consumer perspectives, including those of people with chronic conditions and those with low incomes; 3) produce and distribute educational materials that explain reform implementation issues in simple, accessible terms; 4) disseminate information about reform implementation to consumers through media outreach; and 5) convene consumer groups and educate them about reform implementation.