Reflecting on a Year of Advocacy

The Community Health Worker Access Act is Introduced

PIH-US helped advance the Community Health Worker (CHW) Access Act, a bill that would increase access to CHW services for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries by improving reimbursement for the workforce through Medicare and supporting their integration into Medicaid.  PIH-US, CHW advocates, and PIH Engage—a grassroots advocacy network—have been partnering to advance this legislation throughout the year, meeting with over 90 members of Congress. In March, more than 80 CHWs, allies, and advocates from across the country gathered on Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and legislative staff about the CHW Access Act during the second annual CHW Hill Day. This year, Hill Day featured a congressional briefing, hosted jointly by PIH-US and the National Association of Community Health Workers, and a rally in a historic Senate hearing room.

North Carolina CHWs Use Annual Advocacy Day to Ask for Support

In May, the North Carolina Community Health Worker Association (NCCHWA) and its partners, including PIH-US, hosted the second annual NC CHW Advocacy Day to discuss community health workers’ impact on advancing the state's health priorities. More than 100 community health workers and allies from across North Carolina met with over 70 elected officials to ask them to sign on to HB1026, which would provide critical financial support enabling NCCHWA to mobilize, train, and certify CHWs. While HB1026 did not pass this session, the strong bipartisan support for this bill shows the increasing enthusiasm and momentum for CHW infrastructure in the state

Congress Supports CHWs Through Awareness Week Resolution  

In August, Senator Bob Casey, Jr. and Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D. introduced a resolution formally recognizing the week of August 26-30, 2024, as the second annual National CHW Awareness Week. The resolution (S.Res. 771 / H.Res. 1389), had 11 co-sponsors across the House and Senate, five more than last year. The national resolution was also accompanied by proclamations celebrating Awareness Week in several states, including North Carolina. Awareness Week, which was developed by NACHW, aims to encourage CHWs and allies across the United States to celebrate, commemorate, and collaborate with each other and to raise awareness of the diversity of the CHW profession, workforce, and movement. This year, organizations across the country hosted events, workshops, and outreach activities to increase awareness and engagement among communities and decision-makers.

Public Health for Community Power Building Coalition Launches

PIH-US joined the Public Health for Community Power Coalition as a founding member of its steering committee. Led by Human Impact Partners, the coalition unites public health and community power-building organizations to address systemic inequities through grassroots advocacy and policy campaigns.  

Massachusetts Takes Steps to Boost Public Health Systems

In November, Governor Maura Healey signed the SAPHE 2.0 bill into law, marking a major milestone for public health in Massachusetts. Championed by Senator Jo Comerford and Representative Hannah Kane, the bill establishes statewide public health standards, ensures credentialing for public health workers, secures funding for local health departments, and introduces a unified data system for all communities. PIH-US endorsed and actively advocated alongside the Massachusetts Public Health Association for the passage of this transformative legislation, which will strengthen public health infrastructure and support the public health workforce needed to address health issues.

Throughout the year, PIH-US partnered with state and national community health worker networks across the country to amplify their voices, foster collaboration, and support advocacy efforts through coalition building, policy development, and storytelling. It is crucial for health and government decision-makers to understand the incredible impact of community health workers on health outcomes, and to recognize the importance of this workforce. And the most effective advocates for this are community health workers themselves. These advocacy wins remind us that change is possible when those closest to the challenges are at the forefront of the solutions—ready, confident, and united in their mission.