The leading nonprofit organization dedicated to autoimmune awareness, advocacy, education, and research is the latest organization to join CQC’s growing coalition

WASHINGTON — Consumers for Quality Care (CQC), a coalition of advocates and former policymakers working to provide a voice for patients in the health care debate, is pleased to welcome the Autoimmune Association as a new coalition partner. The Autoimmune Association joins a robust group of organizations that, through their activities, continue to advocate for patients’ right to higher quality, affordable health care as a top priority in the health care debate across the nation.

“Improving access to quality health care is a top priority for the Autoimmune Association, and we look forward to collaborating with Consumers for Quality Care and its partners,” said Molly Murray, Autoimmune Association president and CEO. “Getting a diagnosis for an autoimmune disease can be frustrating and stressful because many present with similar symptoms, and many are very rare. It’s imperative that autoimmune patients have access to health care providers who understand autoimmune conditions and provide quality care.”

For over 30 years, the Autoimmune Association has been the nation’s leading advocate for the millions of people affected by autoimmune diseases. The organization raises widespread awareness and understanding of autoimmune diseases, encourages and supports the scientific community to advance research, provides resources for patients, and advocates on the federal and state levels for policies that put patients first.

Autoimmune diseases comprise approximately 80-150 unique, chronic conditions, affecting more than an estimated 31 million Americans. These diseases include well-known conditions such as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as others that are rare and difficult-to-diagnose.

“We are thrilled to have the Autoimmune Association join Consumers for Quality Care’s growing coalition of advocates as our newest partner organization,” said the Honorable Donna Christensen, CQC board member, physician, and former Member of Congress. “Putting patients first has always been a top priority of CQC, and we look forward to partnering with the Autoimmune Association to continue to grow our coalition’s reach and making sure everyone’s voices are part of the national health care debate.”

CQC is proud to partner with 31 leading advocacy organizations, patient advocate groups and individual consumers, to continue to shape the health care debate through research, consumer-focused advocacy, and direct action on critical issues at the state and national levels.