WASHINGTON — A coalition of organizations representing consumers, patients, pharmacists, physicians, nurses and hospitals have launched HealthCareandYou.org, a new online resource to help people get a handle on the health care reform law.
Dubbed the Health Care and You Coalition, the groups said this week that the portal site, accessed at www.healthcareandyou.org/, is designed to provide Americans with easy-to-understand information about the health reform law so they can make informed health care decisions for themselves and their families.
The coalition includes eight organizations: the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), AARP, American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), American College of Physicians (ACP), American Medical Association (AMA), American Nurses Association (ANA) and Catholic Health Association (CHA).
"As highly accessible providers, community pharmacists across the nation are helping patients navigate changes in the Medicare Part D ‘doughnut hole’ and other provisions in the new law," NCPA chief executive officer Kathleen Jaeger said in a statement. "The web site will serve as a resource for pharmacists and will help their patients find the information they need."
HealthCareandYou.org will provide tailored information for users, including which provisions of the Affordable Care Act are in effect now and those scheduled to take place in the future. The content on HealthCareandYou.org also will reflect any updates to the law made at the federal or state level.
AAFP president Roland Goertz noted that HealthCareandYou.org brings another resource for family physicians. "Our patients often look to family physicians for more than just a diagnosis and a prescription," Goertz stated. "By teaming up with our colleagues in the coalition, we offer a valuable resource that doctors can share with patients."
The web site includes up-to-date facts about the reform law, including a timeline of when provisions take effect, and a state-by-state listing of health coverage options available to consumers. The site also features information tailored to consumers of all ages and circumstances, including older Americans, small-business owners and health care professionals.
"Educating consumers is one of the most important things we can do to help bring high-value, cost-conscious health care to Americans," commented J. Fred Ralston, president of ACP. "HealthCareandYou.org can be a trusted resource for our physicians on the front lines of improving America’s health care system to share with their patients."
Other information on HealthCareandYou.org includes video content and, in the future, a chat feature that will enable users to ask members of the coalition questions about the health reform law.
The Health Care and You Coalition plans to continuously update the portal as the reform law is implemented and changes take effect.
"HealthCareandYou.org is a critical resource for patients to quickly access valuable information about the health care law and how it affects them," stated AMA president Cecil Wilson. "Our physician members look forward to working with our coalition partners to make this important information available to Americans."
