KEYWORDS: US healthcare, Integrative Health Policy Consortium (IHPC),
Integrative medicine, Affordable Care Act, CAM providers
first North American Rights
includes posting on Townsend Letter website
Pathways to Healing
Healing the U.S. Healthcare System
by Elaine Zablocki
Today the U.S. healthcare system is under great stress, with poor health outcomes, lower life expectancy and much higher costs than most other nations. “Every clinician in this room has experienced the support and confidence-building needed to assist patients who’re making changes to improve their health,” said Susan Haeger, interim Executive Director of the Integrative Health Policy Consortium (IHPC), addressing healthcare practitioners at the recent meeting of the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM) in San Diego. “We find ourselves in the same situation with respect to the U.S. healthcare system, as individuals and as organizations. We must inspire and support change for a system that is in distress and help create actionable platforms and programs for long-term improvement.”
In her talk, Haeger pointed to the remarkable progress of integrative health and medicine over the past decade. Over the years, a variety of organizations and coalitions have formed to support integrative care. (See two charts for the timeline.) The Affordable Care Act officially recognizes licensed CAM providers as part of the healthcare workforce. It includes patient-centered outcomes research and demonstration projects for wellness programs. It provides that insurers shall not discriminate against any providers who are acting within the scope of their state license or certification.
However, increasing efforts from practitioners and patients are essential in order to maintain and build upon this progress. IHPC is a broad coalition of health professional organizations advocating policies that offer all Americans access to high-quality, integrative, whole person healthcare. It is classified as a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt nonprofit organization, which means it is able to promote social welfare through developing and advocating for public policies and legislation. IHPC currently includes 23 partner organizations, such as AIHM, the American Holistic Nurses Association, the American Massage Therapy Association, Bastyr University, and many more. “Our success as a consortium lies in bringing people together,” Haeger tells the Townsend Letter. “You know, we’re the only organization that brings so many different credentialed professionals together under one roof to work for policy and advocacy.”
Exciting Plans for the Coming Year
In 2017 IHPC will support a National Congressional Caucus on Integrative Health and Medicine, with members in both the Senate and the House. “It is so important for healthcare practitioners and consumers to take time to connect with their Congressional Representatives and find out where they stand on integrative health and medicine,” Haeger says. “It is essential to educate them about this movement and the organizations and individuals that support it.”
A congressional caucus offers an opportunity to educate legislators on Capitol Hill through congressional briefings with a broad spectrum of experts. “As we look at current marketplace efforts to restrict integrative care, we face a great need to engage with and educate Congress.”
IHPC is also developing a National Policy Advisory Council which will include leaders in the policy, business, and citizen advocacy arenas. “In the past we have been hampered by siloed approaches,” Haeger says. “We need to include a wide range of groups and professions in considering what is needed for the movement as a whole, and then put our efforts into focused policy platform.” Senator Tom Harkin has agreed to serve as honorary chair of this council.
In addition, integrative approaches to pain management and opioid addiction will be a major focus for IHPC in 2017. This is currently an issue of great concern throughout the country, so IHPC has partnered with the Academy of Integrative Pain Management and its state-based advocacy network to advance adoption of integrative approaches to pain management. “We have observed that integrative methods are often discussed in early drafts of national policy on this subject, but somehow in the final versions they’re hardly mentioned,” Haeger says. “We need to get this information out to the public and find ways to impact the system so it does include these extremely effective integrative approaches.”
Lead issues in Flint, Michigan have led to a growing awareness of widespread environmental toxins and their long-term serious impact on public health. IHPC has set up a special committee to work on health and the environment. In addition, a task force within that committee is actively working to bring naturopathic detoxifying protocols to the children of Flint.
IHPC is currently developing a long-term strategic plan for the organization and expects to complete the process by February. Haeger stepped in as interim Executive Director during the past few months, but in early spring the IHPC board will embark on a search for the best possible person to fill this role going forward.
In addition, the ambitious projects on major national issues IHPC is planning for 2017 will require expanded financial resources. “We are networking with individuals to collaborate on ways to assemble a national funding platform to support these efforts,” Haeger said.
Consumers Play an Essential Role
IHPC engages consumers through its CoverMyCare initiative to make changes at the state level through strategic partnerships. “I would really encourage individual consumers to explore citizen advocacy organizations that are working toward change in areas that particularly concern them. This includes Citizens for Health and the Patient’s Rights Coalition and many other patient advocacy groups. These important organizations offer individuals a way to participate effectively in response to issues that affect their choice, access, and information about integrative care.” IHPC is currently exploring ways to expand CoverMyCare throughout 2017.
“The essential value of IHPC as a consortium is that we represent the full spectrum of credentialed health professionals, Haeger says. We focus on policy and advocacy issues that are important to the whole range of professions. Today one profession may be challenged, but we know that tomorrow it will be someone else, so we need to stand together.”
Resources:
Integrative Health Policy Consortium
Home
Educational Booklet Available
IHPC has developed a 16-page educational booklet, “Integrative Health and Medicine: Today’s Answer to Affordable Healthcare.” It covers the cost benefits of a health-oriented care system, and the ways a variety of practitioners contribute to preventive care. It’s available for download at http://www.ihpc.org/wp-content/uploads/IHPC-CE-Booklet-March2015.pdf
Transformative Health Solutions Group
In addition to her work with IHPC, Susan Haeger is the founder and President of Transformative Health Solutions Group (THSG). She acts as a consultant for strategic development of companies and non-profits in personalized “whole person” healthcare. “I have a long-term interest in developing more targeted and effective organizations to advance integrative health and medicine,” she says. Her career includes a general manager role at Amen Clinics, Inc., where she was responsible for strategic growth, clinical services delivery, and operational management of six integrative psychiatric medical/neuroimaging clinics.
At the end of the article:
Elaine Zablocki is the former editor of CHRF News Files.
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