Community Catalyst Voices for Better Health

Grant Summary

The John A. Hartford Foundation Board of Trustees awarded a two-year, $584,150 grant to Community Catalyst, Inc., a national leader in involving consumers in transforming health care, to support the engagement of geriatrics experts in its Voices for Better Health project to advocate for evidence-based, high-quality health plans for dually eligible beneficiaries of Medicare and Medicaid. More than 9 million older and disabled individuals nationwide are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid, with two-thirds over age 65. They are poorer and sicker than the general population, and their complex needs make their health care very costly. The grant, which leverages a $3 million award from The Atlantic Philanthropies, will enable the selection of at least 10 geriatrics health care leaders in five target states to serve as advocates for high-quality integrated care plans that substantially improve the lives of vulnerable older adults. They will accomplish this goal by serving as spokespeople and recruiters of other health care professionals, making presentations to advocates and health plans on geriatric care topics, participating in meetings with state and federal policymakers, and drafting issue briefs and op-ed pieces to inform the health care provider community and the general public about the need for quality geriatric care for the dual Medicaid/Medicare population.