Why Health Care Advocacy Matters
Health care can be complicated, confusing, and overwhelming — not just for patients but also for their families. Whether it’s navigating insurance coverage, managing chronic illness, or communicating with multiple providers, many people struggle to make sure they get the right care at the right time. That’s why health care advocacy exists — to give patients a voice, protect their rights, and help them access the care they deserve.
But advocacy doesn’t happen in isolation. Many organizations work independently, often with overlapping goals. To bring these voices together, a coalition was formed — the Coalition of Health Care Advocacy Organizations (CHCAO).
CHCAO is more than just a group. It’s a collaboration of several health care advocacy bodies and professionals who believe that collective action creates stronger advocacy standards and better outcomes for patients.
When I first heard about CHCAO during a conference webinar hosted by NAHAC (National Association of Healthcare Advocacy), I was intrigued. The presenters spoke with genuine passion about bridging gaps between advocacy groups. They weren’t promoting products or services — they were pushing for systemic change in how advocacy is understood, supported, and practiced. That authenticity inspired this deeper look into CHCAO.
What Is CHCAO?
CHCAO stands for the Coalition of Health Care Advocacy Organizations. It is a collaborative network formed to unify the efforts of advocacy professionals and organizations that share a common mission — to elevate the standards, ethics, and visibility of the health care advocacy profession.
The coalition was created to address a growing concern: although individual advocates and associations were doing valuable work, the profession as a whole lacked a cohesive identity and unified voice. CHCAO’s goal is to bring together leaders from across advocacy networks to coordinate action, share knowledge, and influence policy.
The Mission of CHCAO
At its heart, CHCAO exists to:
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Promote ethical, professional, and effective health care advocacy.
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Support the development of common standards and best practices.
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Strengthen collaboration among advocacy groups.
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Advocate for patient-centered policies in health care systems.
Essentially, CHCAO acts as the “hub” where advocacy organizations meet, communicate, and collaborate for a stronger collective impact.
History and Formation of CHCAO
CHCAO was formed in the late 2010s when several independent advocacy organizations realized they were all trying to solve the same problems — lack of standardization, public awareness, and professional recognition for advocates.
Early participants included members from NAHAC (National Association of Healthcare Advocacy), HealthAdvocateX, Patient Advocate Certification Board (PACB), and several smaller advocacy networks. These groups saw the need for a coalition that could speak with one voice about the value of patient advocacy.
One of the coalition’s early initiatives was to survey advocacy professionals across the country. The findings revealed a shared need for clearer ethical guidelines, training consistency, and professional standards. From that data, CHCAO began organizing working groups and committees to focus on research, communications, and strategic goals.
Structure and Member Organizations
CHCAO is not a government agency or a for-profit company — it’s a collaborative network. The coalition brings together leaders and representatives from advocacy organizations rather than individual advocates.
Typical Members Include:
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National advocacy associations (like NAHAC and PACB)
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Educational organizations offering advocacy training
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Nonprofits working on patient rights and health equity
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Community advocacy groups supporting specific conditions
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Academic professionals researching health care systems
The coalition is led by a coordinating committee, which includes volunteer representatives from member organizations. Each year, CHCAO hosts meetings, roundtables, and online summits to share findings and align priorities.
What stands out about CHCAO is its inclusive and cooperative structure. Instead of competing for visibility, member groups contribute their expertise to shared projects — whether it’s updating ethical standards, publishing reports, or collaborating on advocacy campaigns.
Core Roles and Activities of CHCAO
So, what does CHCAO actually do? Its activities can be grouped into several key areas.
1. Establishing Ethical and Professional Standards
CHCAO promotes a shared code of ethics for advocates. The goal is to ensure that every professional working under the advocacy umbrella upholds transparency, respect, and accountability. These ethical standards guide how advocates communicate with clients, handle sensitive data, and manage conflicts of interest.
2. Developing Common Language and Definitions
One major challenge in advocacy has been inconsistency — even the word “advocate” can mean different things. CHCAO works to define clear professional roles, terminology, and scope of practice. This helps patients, hospitals, and insurers better understand the advocate’s purpose.
3. Publishing Reports and Position Statements
Every few years, CHCAO releases updates or “special reports” summarizing its findings, such as the 2023 CHCAO Special Report, which explored trends and challenges in the advocacy field. These reports serve as valuable resources for policy makers and educators.
4. Promoting Collaboration
Instead of working in silos, CHCAO encourages networking and joint projects. For example, one coalition task force might focus on patient safety, while another works on professional certification standards. The result is a more connected advocacy ecosystem.
5. Raising Public Awareness
Many patients still don’t know what a health care advocate is or why they might need one. CHCAO uses public education campaigns, webinars, and partnerships to increase understanding and recognition of this vital profession.
Research and Impact
In 2023, CHCAO released its most significant report yet — a special survey-based study examining the state of the health advocacy profession. The report gathered insights from dozens of member organizations and hundreds of advocates.
The findings showed:
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87% of respondents wanted clearer national standards.
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75% supported more collaboration between advocacy groups.
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69% said public misunderstanding was the biggest barrier to growth.
The report concluded that a unified coalition like CHCAO could help raise awareness, improve training quality, and strengthen credibility for advocates across the health system.
One example of CHCAO’s impact can be seen in its partnerships with training organizations. After discussions within the coalition, some advocacy education programs began updating their curricula to include ethical scenarios, data privacy practices, and communication skills — direct outcomes of CHCAO collaboration.
Benefits of CHCAO
1. For Advocates
CHCAO gives professional advocates access to a larger community and shared standards. It reduces confusion for newcomers and offers a sense of identity and legitimacy within the broader health care system.
2. For Patients
When advocacy standards are unified, patients receive more consistent, ethical, and effective support — no matter which organization they work with. CHCAO’s focus on transparency also helps patients trust the advocacy process.
3. For Policy Makers
A coalition simplifies communication. Instead of hearing from dozens of separate groups, legislators can engage with CHCAO as a collective voice representing the advocacy community.
4. For Health Care Providers
Hospitals and clinics benefit when advocacy is standardized. Clearer professional expectations lead to smoother collaboration between advocates, nurses, and physicians.
Challenges Facing CHCAO
No organization is perfect, and CHCAO faces its share of challenges:
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Funding: As a coalition of nonprofits, funding for research and outreach can be limited.
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Visibility: Many people still haven’t heard of CHCAO, even within the advocacy world.
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Diverse Opinions: Advocacy organizations vary widely in size, mission, and priorities, which can make consensus difficult.
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Policy Influence: While CHCAO’s voice is growing, it still competes with large corporate lobbying in health care policy debates.
Despite these obstacles, CHCAO continues to make progress by staying focused on collaboration and education.
Future Goals and Vision
CHCAO’s long-term vision is ambitious but realistic. The coalition aims to:
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Create a national advocacy framework recognized across health care systems.
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Support professional certification and continuing education.
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Build public trust through transparency and ethical practice.
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Advocate for policies that protect patient rights and improve access to care.
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Strengthen the profession’s identity as a respected part of the health care team.
Imagine a future where every patient automatically knows they can call an advocate — just as easily as calling a GP or a pharmacist. That’s the kind of awareness CHCAO hopes to achieve.
Comparison: CHCAO vs NAHAC
While both CHCAO and NAHAC work in advocacy, their scopes differ:
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NAHAC is an association for individual advocates — it provides networking, resources, and professional development.
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CHCAO is a coalition of organizations — it coordinates action among associations like NAHAC, PACB, and others.
In short, NAHAC supports advocates, while CHCAO supports the advocacy movement as a whole.
Personal Perspective
As someone who has followed the evolution of patient advocacy for several years, I see CHCAO as an essential development. When advocacy began gaining traction in the early 2000s, everyone worked independently. But as health care became more complex — with insurance bureaucracy, data privacy, and telehealth — the need for unified professional standards became undeniable.
A friend of mine, who works as a private health advocate in Texas, once told me, “It’s like we were all speaking different dialects of the same language.” CHCAO gives the field a common voice, helping everyone work together more effectively.
Conclusion
The Coalition of Health Care Advocacy Organizations (CHCAO) represents a new era in patient advocacy — one where collaboration replaces competition and shared ethics replace confusion.
By aligning advocacy groups under a single umbrella, CHCAO helps strengthen the profession, improve patient outcomes, and increase public understanding of what advocates truly do.
Health care will always be complex, but with initiatives like CHCAO, patients and families don’t have to face it alone. They can count on a community of advocates working together for transparency, fairness, and respect in every step of their care journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What does CHCAO stand for?
CHCAO means Coalition of Health Care Advocacy Organizations — a group that unites advocacy bodies to promote ethical, professional, and effective health care advocacy.
Q2. Who can join CHCAO?
Membership is typically open to advocacy organizations, not individuals. However, professionals can get involved through member associations like NAHAC.
Q3. How does CHCAO benefit patients?
It ensures advocates across the system follow consistent ethical and professional standards, leading to safer and more transparent support for patients.
Q4. Is CHCAO affiliated with the government?
No, it’s an independent, nonprofit coalition.
Q5. How is CHCAO funded?
Mostly through voluntary contributions, member support, and educational grants.
Q6. What was in the 2023 Special Report?
The report analyzed advocacy trends and emphasized the need for national standards and increased collaboration across the sector.
Title:
CHCAO Explained: The Coalition Strengthening Health Care Advocacy Standards and Collaboration
Meta Description:
Learn all about CHCAO — its mission, members, ethical standards, and how it unites advocacy organizations to improve patient outcomes and professional collaboration.
