At the Global Healthy Living Foundation, we know the value of grassroots advocacy. Tune in to this week's episode to hear how trained patient-advocates proactively connect with local, state, and federal health policy stakeholders to share their perspectives and influence change. This week features guests, Corey Greenblatt, Associate Director of Policy and Advocacy, and Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager, JP Summers. Alongside co-hosts Conner and Robert, they recount a summer advocacy road trip that spanned more than eight states and dozens of patient-led meetings with lawmakers and stakeholders.

Among the highlights in this episode:

1:31: Corey discusses the reasons for initiating a states tour, the experience of doing so during a post-pandemic period, and the response they received from the policymakers they visited

3:07: “The response from policymakers was overwhelmingly positive. One of the things that we realized through these trips was that patients walk into a door of a legislator’s office… with a net positive rating before they say a word. That's because policymakers and staffers understand the toll that it takes for patients to be there and speak to them and share their stories,” says Corey

3:58: Conner highlights the importance of coalition building

6:18: JP shares her experience with the positive reception from legislators and the empowering feeling of advocacy work

7:53: Corey discusses key policy issues routinely addressed during the tours, with particular emphasis on copay accumulator adjuster laws and pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) transparency laws

10:35: JP elaborates on her personal advocacy experiences in Wisconsin and Texas

12:39: Conner brings up additional key issues such as high healthcare costs, expensive medications, and non-medical costs (such as transportation and caregiver expenses) that affect patients

14:04: Conner shares a key takeaway from the tours, emphasizing the importance and impact of bringing patients' voices directly to lawmakers

15:32: Corey emphasizes the growing awareness of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) as influential actors in the healthcare industry, allowing for more focused discussions on specific healthcare issues

16:48: Dr. Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF, shares some final thoughts

Contact Our Hosts

Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: rpopovian@ghlf.org

Conner Mertens, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF: cmertens@ghlf.org

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