Agency Details:

Mission: To inspire a consumer movement to enhance access to quality, affordable health care in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Description:
The Consumer Health Coalition (CHC), a not-for-profit organization founded in 1996, seeks to amplify the consumer voice for health care reform. Our mission is to inspire a consumer movement to enhance access to quality, affordable health services. We accomplish this by targeting individuals and families at-risk for encountering barriers to health care, including people with low incomes, the uninsured and underinsured, people from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds, and people with disabilities.

History:
The image of the Consumer Health Coalition grew from a September 1995 conference entitled, “Building a Coalition: Giving Consumers a Voice in Shaping Health Services.” A primary objective of this conference was to bring together concerned providers and individuals who, through their experience, could contribute to the shaping of a Coalition. The participants were especially sensitive to members of the community vulnerable to illness or disability and people with special care needs. As a body, the participants recognized the need for an organization that would voice the needs of the consumer. Initial funding for CHC was provided by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation and The Pittsburgh Foundation, and Families USA provided insight on strategy development.

Contact person: Leslie Bachurski, Operations Manager, (phone), (email)

Address:

650 Smithfield Street, Suite 2130 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.consumerhealthcoalition.org

Directions:

The Consumer Health Coalition is located in Centre City Tower at the corner of Smithfield Street and Seventh Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Steel Plaza,   Walk distance (in minutes): 5   Nearest Bus Stop: Smithfield St., 2 minute walk For maps or information, please see http://www.portauthority.org/ride/ride.html

Miscellaneous Information

Are court referrals welcomed?
	Yes
Is act 33/34 clearance required of your volunteers?
	No

Last updated on April 20, 2009