PIH-US and National Association of Community Health Workers Host 2nd Annual Advocacy Day
PIH-US and NACHW convene advocates to educate members of Congress and their staff about the critical role of community health workers in the U.S.
Posted on Mar 27, 2024
In March, more than 80 community health workers, allies, and advocates from across the country gathered on Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and legislative staff during the second annual Community Health Worker Hill Day.
In addition to over 80 meetings with legislative offices, the Hill Day featured a Congressional briefing and rally in a historic Senate hearing room. Congressional briefings serve as a platform to educate members of Congress and their staff on a specific issue. This briefing, hosted jointly by PIH-US and National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW), allowed Congressional staff to engage directly with community health workers and gain insights into the workforce's diverse nature.
Below, we share a selection of photos from the day.
The briefing kicked off with a panel discussion about the role of community health workers in the U.S. Panelists included from left to right: Shanteny Jackson, Executive Director of the Virginia Community Health Worker Association, Honey Yang Estrada, President of the North Carolina Community Health Worker Association, Katie Bollbach, Executive Director of PIH-US, and Iris Reano, Community Health Representative Manager at Pueblo of Santo Domingo. Photo by Melissa Lyttle for PIH
During the panel, Shanteny Jackson, Executive Director of the Virginia Community Health Worker Association, shared reflections on the importance of community health workers. Photo by Melissa Lyttle for PIH
Throughout the day, advocates also participated in 82 legislative visits where they met legislators and their staff to raise awareness of the urgent needs of community health workers. Victoria Carle, legislative staff for Delaware Senator Tom Carper (left), shakes hands with Ya'Nelle Powell, NACHW member (center), while Rosie Poling, Health Policy Officer at Partners In Health (right) watches on. Photo by Melissa Lyttle for PIH
During their conversations, advocates urged legislators to support the Community Health Worker Access Act, which would provide sustained funding for the community health workforce by improving reimbursement for community health workers in Medicaid and Medicare programs. They also encouraged members of Congress to support a resolution recognizing 2024 National CHW Awareness Week. Photo by Melissa Lyttle for PIH
