New name – broader mission

The Colorado Health Advocacy and Information Network, founded in 2019, is expanding. We’ve been very successful in Colorado, positively impacting healthcare policies and now we’re broadening our focus to the entire southwest region. 

We’ve changed our name to the “Consumer” Health Advocacy and Information Network.  We’re still CHAIN, with a focus on all consumers in Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Colorado.

We still have the same great mission – to take on the status quo, challenge the thinking that only government-based solutions can solve healthcare problems; and to champion the best, bold, creative solutions to fixing this Country’s growing healthcare challenges, focusing only on the consumer.

Email us at http://info@consumerhealthadvocates.net and find us on Socials by clicking the icons below.

Dedicated to keeping healthcare costs down for consumers

In the midst of all the political chaos, most people aren’t paying much attention to what’s happening at the federal level to try to keep healthcare costs down for consumers. . . But we are.

This one’s top on our list. In 1992 Congress passed an act creating what is known as the 340B Drug Pricing Program. It was a good move. The program was designed to help vulnerable patients access medications that they might not otherwise be able to afford, by forcing drug manufacturers to provide steep discounts on outpatient medications to what is called “safety net” clinics and hospitals.  It’s still in effect today, with 57 percent of all hospitals, and 46 percent of contract pharmacies in the U.S. participating in the program, including in Colorado, Nevada, Utah and Arizona.
 
The expectation was that savings would be used to ensure vulnerable patients have access to their medications. Not surprisingly, it would appear that the cost savings are now primarily being diverted to middlemen, known as Pharmacy Benefit Managers, to boost their bottom line.
 
According to research by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturer’s Association, the top performing 340B hospitals nationwide collected nearly $10 in total profit for every $1 they invested in charity care.
 
Fortunately, this misdirection of funds has been discovered and Congress is once again looking at how to tighten regulations around the program so that, instead of benefiting an industry, it stays true to its intent, to help less affluent Americans, be able to afford their life-saving medications.
 
CHAIN is monitoring the legislation. Stay tuned. We may need your help in lobbying Congress in the near future.

Outstanding Women in STEM Group Award

2024 Awards Recipients

CHAIN is pleased to have, once again, been part of this year's National Civics Bee

Congratulations to Danielle Williams for winning the Outstanding Women in STEM Award, sponsored by CHAIN, at Colorado Women’s Day. Danielle was recognized for her ingenuity in reinventing a tent that can be set up in less than 90 seconds!

CHAIN ED Joni Inman and Presenter, Cheryl Blum Garcia, LegalShield

And to the Colorado BioScience Association for winning the first-ever Outstanding Women in STEM Group Award, sponsored by CHAIN, at Colorado Women’s Day. What an amazing group of women!

2024 Awards Recipients

2024 National Civics Bee

2024 National Civics Bee

CHAIN is pleased to have, once again, been part of this year’s National Civics Bee, during its first round of competition with the Arvada Chamber of Commerce. Local middle school students competed in a live quiz event, April 13, to test their civics knowledge. The finalists received various prizes, and the first-place student received a check for $500. These kids are amazing!

Heartfelt Congratulations and Gratitude to the 2023 National Civic Bee Participants in Arvada, CO

2023 National Civic Bee in Arvada, Colorado

Heartfelt Congratulations and Gratitude to the 2023 National Civic Bee Participants in Arvada, CO

2023 National Civic Bee in Arvada, Colorado

On behalf of CHAIN, we would like to extend our warmest congratulations to each and every one of you who participated in the National Civic Bee held in Arvada, Colorado on April 18th, 2023. Your dedication, enthusiasm, and knowledge of civics have contributed to the success of this incredible event.

We know that preparing for the National Civic Bee is no small feat. It takes countless hours of hard work, research, and practice to attain the level of expertise displayed by all of you. Your passion for civic education and your commitment to fostering an informed and engaged citizenry are truly inspiring. Your accomplishments reflect not only your individual talents but also the support and encouragement from your family, friends, educators, and mentors.

As you move forward, we hope that you will continue to champion the importance of civic education in your communities. You have demonstrated that you are not only well-informed citizens but also engaged and responsible members of society. The future of our democracy depends on individuals like you, who are committed to upholding the values and principles that bind us together.

Once again, congratulations on your achievements and thank you for your participation in the National Civic Bee. We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors, and we are confident that you will continue to make a positive impact in your communities.

Critical Action on April 19th Battling the Counterproductive HB23-1225, “Extend and Modify the Prescription Drug Affordability Board

Colorado Legislative Session

Critical Action on April 19th Battling the Counterproductive HB23-1225, "Extend and Modify the Prescription Drug Affordability Board

Colorado Legislative Session

Tomorrow the Colorado Senate Health & Human Services Committee will hold its hearing on HB23-1225 (the “Bride of PDAB”).

Colorado consumers, healthcare providers and business organizations are part of a broad coalition opposed to this ill-advised legislation.

They – and we – have already seen how Colorado’s drug price control bureaucracy – the Prescription Drug Affordability Board – has cost taxpayers an average of $80,000 a month to date with zero savings, while Coloradans dependent on life-saving drugs have NO assurances around drug accessibility and the likelihood of access being compromised.
 
Now, Colorado lawmakers are looking to expand PDAB through HB23-1225. The bill removes the two key guardrails of the original program that legislators agreed to, to ensure that the potential damage of the PDAB program could be mitigated. Instead, HB23-1225 gives PDAB carte blanche to set an Upper Payment Limit for any qualified drug (as opposed to the original twelve drug limit). We should be going in the opposite direction.
 
Upper Payment Limits set the price that physicians, hospitals, pharmacists and clinics are allowed to pay for certain drugs, regardless of what the drug actually costs. Mandating what providers can pay for a drug is tantamount to making it unavailable if the purchase price exceeds the state-controlled price. This unproven and potentially damaging approach contrasts greatly to the action other states are taking to generate real savings for drug patients.

For just one example of the risks and concerns being created by the PDAB legislation, read through this recent opinion piece by patient advocate Kris Garcia and learn how PDAB could very well endanger  access to life-saving drugs. https://www.coloradopolitics.com/opinion/consider-rare-diseases-with-rx-affordability-board-opinion/article_665aa284-db39-11ed-bb3e-5f8ec7580934.html

CHAIN opposes HB-1225 and is continuing to educate lawmakers about the scores of unanswered questions on how this bill may compromise patient access to life-saving drugs and how we can be assured that more taxpayer dollars aren’t squandered in delivering ZERO savings for Colorado patients.

PLEASE JOIN WITH US IN OPPOSING HB23-1225, “The Bride of PDAB”.  Contact your legislators and link up with our Twitter stream with #ZeroSavingsCO.

Lifesaving Biomarker Testing Bill HB23-1110 Supported by CHAIN Falls Short

Colorado State Capital

Lifesaving Biomarker Testing Bill HB23-1110 Supported by CHAIN Falls Short

Colorado State Capital

CHAIN has been actively supporting the passage of House Bill 23-1110, the Biomarker Bill that would have ensured every Coloradan had equal access to advanced disease testing and precision medicine.

Despite the advocacy from multiple patient groups, including the American Cancer Society, HB23-1110 is slated to die on the House calendar – meaning that it will receive no further action this session.

CHAIN is proud to have supported the American Cancer Society in advancing this critical legislation.  Every Colorado patient should have access to these increasingly vital treatments for cancer and other other life threatening conditions.

At the same time, improving access to biomarker testing is critical to  advancing health equity. Currently, patients who are insured by Medicaid, Black, have lower incomes, or receive treatment outside of academic medical centers are all less likely to benefit from biomarker testing. A key objective of this legislation is to help expand access to these populations, so that more Coloradans can access biomarker testing and the most effective treatments for their condition.

We look forward to supporting advocates in next year’s legislative session should this initiative be re-introduced.

2023 National Civics Bee Competition Coming to Arvada Today, April 18th

National Civics Bee in Arvada, Colorado

2023 National Civics Bee Competition Coming to Arvada Today, April 18th

National Civics Bee in Arvada, Colorado

CHAIN is proud to sponsor the 2023 National Civics Bee competition in Arvada!

The National Civics Bee is an annual competition that takes place in partnership with the Colorado Chamber and local chambers of commerce across the United States.

A core mission of CHAIN is to engage the public in dialogue over important issues impacting our communities. The National Civics Bee, part of the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s Civic Trust initiative, aligns with our purpose to engage in civic life and encourage a civically connected community and nation.

On April 18 in Arvada, nine local middle schoolers selected by a panel of community-based judges will compete in this fast-paced live competition at Revive Church, testing their civics knowledge. The winners (and their schools) will be recognized in the community and receive cash prizes, and the top three students will also proceed to the state competition!

This is one of many pilot National Civics Bee competitions promoted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

This event is complimentary! Join CHAIN on April 18 to celebrate civic engagement and knowledge amongst the future leaders of Jefferson County!

Register here: 
https://cochamber.com/event/2023-colorado-civics-bee/