WASHINGTON — Consumers for Quality Care (CQC), an organization dedicated to ensuring that patients – and their right to affordable, quality care – remain at the forefront of the health care debate, is pleased to announce that three new partners have joined its coalition: the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Treatment Communities of America, and the American Kidney Fund.

“We are thrilled to kick off 2020 with this diverse group of impactful organizations joining the CQC coalition. Whether a patient has difficulty affording critical care, managing their chronic condition, or obtaining adequate treatment, these organizations work tirelessly to advocate for their patient populations and raise awareness around their conditions,” said the Honorable Donna Christensen, CQC board member, physician, and former Member of Congress. “CQC looks forward to amplifying an increasing number of patient voices and communities through initiatives including the #HospitalFail Campaign, to put an end to predatory and financially toxic practices around the country.”

As the coalition continues to expand, CQC is proud to work with its partners to shape the health care debate through research, consumer-focused advocacy, and direct action on critical issues at the state and national levels.

“The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America is thrilled to be joining the Consumers for Quality Care coalition. We look forward to working with fellow coalition members towards our shared goal of high-quality, patient-centric, accessible, and affordable health care,” said Kenneth Mendez, President and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. AAFA focuses its advocacy efforts on access to care, clean air and the health impacts of climate change, healthy settings, food allergies, and federal funding. Specifically, AAFA supports policies that ensure patients with asthma and allergies have access to and can afford their insurance, medicines, and medical devices; that work toward clean, safe air for everyone and maintain strong standards to reduce harmful air pollutants that impact climate change; and that create healthy settings for those with asthma and allergies.

“Treatment Communities of America is proud to partner with Consumers for Quality Care,” said Patricia Clay, Executive Director of Treatment Communities of America. “Advocacy on Capitol Hill is one of our biggest member benefits, and our public policy issues include the elimination of the IMD Exclusion, continued funding of the Substance Abuse, Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SAPTBG), and the implementation of the Families First Prevention Services Act, to name a few. TCA looks forward to a long working relationship with CQC to ensure that patients’ needs remain front and center in the health care debate.”

“CQC plays a vital role in making policymakers aware of the challenges that consumers experience in the health care system. Ensuring kidney patients have access to quality health care is the foundation of the American Kidney Fund’s public policy agenda and we look forward to adding our voice to this growing coalition,” said LaVarne Burton, President and CEO of the American Kidney Fund.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Treatment Communities of America, and the American Kidney Fund join CQC and 16 other groups in advocating for the needs and rights of health care consumers.