Public Policy at the National Health Council
The National Health Council (NHC) serves as the united voice for people with chronic diseases and disabilities and their family caregivers. The NHC Policy team leads efforts to create a more accessible, affordable, comprehensive, and sustainable health care system. Guided by the needs and insights of our diverse membership, the NHC advocates for federal policies that promote patient-centered care, drive innovation, and strengthen the nonprofit health ecosystem.
How We Set Policy Priorities
Each year, the NHC conducts a robust policy planning process rooted in member feedback and is responsive to the evolving national policy landscape. The Policy team gathers insights through an annual issue survey and ongoing member engagement. The NHC Board of Directors, in consultation with the Board Policy Committee, informs the final decisions on our policy agenda.
The policy priorities are reviewed regularly and updated to reflect emerging challenges and opportunities for impact.
2025 Policy Focus
In 2025, the NHC Policy team is advancing work in three key areas:
- Access and Affordability: The NHC advocates to protect Medicaid for nearly 80 million Americans, reduce out-of-pocket costs, prevent premium increases, support the bipartisan Safe Step Act, and extend telehealth flexibilities and reimbursement policies.
- Innovation and Research: The NHC supports robust and sustained federal investment in biomedical research and infrastructure and is working to reauthorize the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher Program.
- Nonprofit Sustainability: The NHC promotes the role of nonprofit patient organizations in the health ecosystem and supports policies that foster public-private partnerships, enhance data collection, and ensure the long-term viability of mission-driven health organizations.
Issues
Artificial Intelligence
The following is information and resources to help those in the patient community navigate the promise and pitfalls of AI.
Read More
Value
The U.S. health care system is undergoing a transformation in how it delivers and pays for care. As traditional fee-for-service gives way to value-based arrangements…
Read More
Real-World Evidence
As health researchers, policymakers, and regulators establish standards and structure for using real-world data (RWD) as evidence in regulatory and clinical…
Read More
Health Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
Piecemeal solutions are no longer an option. It is time for a complete transformation of the health care system to promote unbiased structures and processes to advance equitable access to quality health care for all.
Read More
Reducing Health Costs
We envision a society in which all people have access to quality health care that respects personal goals and aspirations, and is designed around the health…
Read More
Patient Engagement
There is little consensus-based guidance on how to conduct patient engagement or assess whether an approach to patient engagement will yield meaningful results for…
Read More
FDA Regulations
The NHC supports the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) role of ensuring safety and efficacy of medical products. Through policies such as the user fee…
Read More
Health Care Reform
The NHC takes a leadership role in ensuring the people who need health insurance coverage most – those with chronic diseases and disabilities – are considered in any…
Read More
Medicaid Unwinding Resources
In 2020, Congress enacted a requirement that Medicaid programs keep people continuously enrolled in Medicaid until the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ends and increased federal funding to state programs through a temporarily enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP).
Read More