In an effort to ensure that the implementation of the health reform law leads to improved care for patients — particularly older adults and people with multiple chronic conditions — organizations have joined together to launch the Campaign for Better Care.

The National Partnership for Women & Families (NPWF), Community Catalyst, and the National Health Law Program are leading the new initiative, which was kicked off on April 8 with funding from the Atlantic Philanthropies.

The groups plan to “work with policymakers to implement reform in ways that ensure that the people who are the sickest and most vulnerable — and their caregivers — get the comprehensive, coordinated health care they need,” explained NPWF President Debra Ness in an announcement, which notes that the campaign has “already built a broad-based consumer coalition of 100 organizations.”

The campaign, which focuses on better care coordination to reduce costs and improve quality, identifies the top ten elements in the health reform law (pdf) that it says lay a strong foundation for improving the health care system for vulnerable older adults and people with chronic conditions. On the list are two PHI priorities: “Making Care More Patient-Centered” and “A Stronger Health Care Workforce.”

“We are excited to join a campaign that will bring attention to the need for coordinated health care for older adults and individuals with multiple chronic conditions, as well as the unpaid caregivers and 3 million direct-care workers who are an essential — but often overlooked — part of the delivery system,” said Carol Regan, PHI director of government relations.

– by Deane Beebe