Pennsylvania Health Access Network

The Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN) is a statewide patient-driven organization working to expand and protect access to high-quality, equitable, affordable healthcare for all Pennsylvanians. Since 2007, PHAN has brought together patients, advocates, and community organizations from diverse parts of the state to identify common concerns and barriers to health and advocate for solutions at the local, state, and federal levels. PHAN runs a statewide Helpline that receives 10,000 calls a year that has enrolled more than 36,000 people in coverage and helped callers address issues with commercial insurance, Medicaid, and CHIP. PHAN blends coalition-building and policy advocacy with a unique model of community health organizing that focuses on supporting and empowering consumers to get the care they need and become advocates for better healthcare in their local communities and statewide. Through its work, PHAN has won key victories on behalf of Pennsylvania patients in recent years: expanding coverage for low wage workers, ending surprise medical bills, greater patient awareness of appeal rights when insurance denies claims, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, and more affordable health coverage for those who purchase their own plans.