Advocacy
Health Centers are greatly impacted by both federal and state policy. Federal policy affects Health Center funding, operations, and management, and reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid is critical to the financial viability of Health Centers.
The WVPCA works collaboratively with multiple state organizations to guide the development of state-driven policies and initiatives advocating on behalf of Health Centers at the state and national level, informing policy, and contributing to the body of knowledge related to the positive effect that Health Centers have on the primary care delivery system.
The One Network is centrally rooted in the WVPCA with support identifying advocacy issues and ways to address them from the WVPCA board and a group of dedicated Community Health Center staff, known as the Regional Advocates.
The Regional Advocates support six or seven Community Health Center-level advocates. This group is comprised of at least one Community Health Center staff member from each of the 34 WVPCA member organizations.
Community-level advocates—including patients, Community Health Center board members, other staff, and community partners—make up the heart and soul of The One Network. Community advocates know their neighbors, understand their communities’ needs, and have the collective strength to make change. We hope you'll join us in making change in your community!
Are you interested in advocating for your community and supporting others in building power for change?
The One Network is always looking for new advocacy leaders who are interested in supporting the identification, implementation, and celebration of advocacy efforts around the state.
If you'd like to learn more about becoming a community advocate leader, contact Caroline Smith, WVPCA Director of Engagement at advocacy@wvpca.org.