Patient advocate programs work to ensure that everyone, especially under-served groups, have access to quality health care.
Patient advocate programs are generally nonprofit organizations that work to promote adequate health care and treatment among under-served populations throughout the U.S. and, in some cases, worldwide. From university clinics to government-founded agencies, patient advocate programs grow out of a variety of organizations and have varied mission statements. However, on one point all patient advocate programs seem to converge: to ensure that everyone has access to quality health care and treatment for everything from passing common illnesses to serious, life-altering conditions.
National Patient Advocate Foundation
The National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF), based in Washington, DC, is a program that works to help people across the country locate and pay for quality health care, no matter where they are or what their financial situation may be. Started in 1996 by Nancy Davenport-Ennis after her friend died from cancer amidst ongoing struggles with her insurance company over health care payments, the NPAF lobbies on behalf of patients to get health care reform legislation passed on both the state and federal levels. Its partner organization, the Patient Advocate Foundation, provides more direct aid to patients who need assistance in obtaining quality health care.
National Patient Advocate Foundation
725 15th Street, NW
10th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
202-347-5579
npaf.org
Stanford School of Medicine's Patient Advocacy Program
Founded in 2004, the relatively new Patient Advocacy Program at Stanford University's School of Medicine seeks to consistently place medical students at free or low-cost clinics around the Stanford, California area. In order to become part of this prestigious program, Stanford medical students must be accepted and complete a clinic requirements course. Through this program, young doctors are given the opportunity to see, first-hand, what under-served communities need in terms of medical care, and the importance of supporting free and low-cost clinics.
Stanford University School of Medicine
300 Pasteur Drive
Stanford, CA 94305
650-723-4000
ptadvocacy.stanford.edu/
Veterans Health Administration Patient Advocacy Program
With a specific community to serve, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Patient Advocacy Program seeks to ensure that veterans of the United States armed services receive the medical care and attention they need. The program has its own hospitals and health care clinics for veterans to use and adhere to strict agency regulations regarding the care that each veteran is entitled to, as well as the standards that each health care facility must pass. Through this organization, veterans are promised excellent and dignified health care after serving their country.
Veterans Health Administration Patient Advocacy Program
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington DC, 20420
877-222-8387
patientadvocate.va.gov
Tags: health care, Advocacy Program, Patient Advocacy, Patient Advocacy Program, Advocate Foundation, advocate programs, Health Administration