So a good-sized contingent of HCFA folks have been down in DC for a large chunk of this week at the annual conference of Families USA, the national consumer advocacy organization. On Friday, they gave out their annual awards and recognitions to community activists across the nation. This year, one of their three awardees was HCFA’s Camille Watson, coordinator of the Disparities Action Network, the Massachusetts policy coalition dedicated to promoting public action to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities.
Timing was great because on Wednesday, Gov. Patrick unveiled his budget plan which includes establishment of a Secretariat-level Office of Health Equity to coordinate and enhance state action in Massachusetts against disparities — the key policy objective for the DAN this year.
State based activists across the nation at paying attention to the DAN as a model for how they can develop their own state policy agendas to eliminate disparities.
Congratulations, Camille!
Congrats Camille. Much-deserved recognition for your leadership, dedication and amazing work.