Since our founding in 2010, C-TAC has united organizations across the country that share our vision of person-centered care that meets patients’ goals and honors their dignity. Our diverse coalition of healthcare providers, payers, network managers, consumer products, national trade associations, academic institutions, state associations and more has come together to advocate for and enact policies that deliver the comprehensive care that patients and caregivers need and deserve. 

Since the start of this year, C-TAC has been proud to welcome over 30 new organizations to our coalition. We asked a selection of our new members to reflect on what drew them to C-TAC membership, and how they feel our coalition aligns with and will continue to impact their work. 

• Association on Aging in New York  
• CareFirst  
• CareOregon  
• Empassion  
• Help Texts  
• Nourish for Caregivers  
• Trellis  
• TVP Care  
• VillageMD 

What drew you to C-TAC membership?  

Empassion recognizes and appreciates C-TACs long history of advocacy and coalition building to deliver more equitable and high-quality care to seriously ill individuals and their families. C-TAC membership gives us an opportunity to avail ourselves of their resources, participate in workgroups, and expand our network, while also supporting C-TAC’s important mission.
– Terri Maxwell, Ph.D., APRN, Chief Clinical Officer, Empassion

We were drawn to joining C-TAC because our organizational missions align; ultimately, we want individuals – their families and caregivers – to experience the best possible care during the advanced stages of their healthcare journey. Not only should medical needs be addressed, but emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and financial needs should be addressed as well, and C-TAC’s priorities and membership roster reflect all of those aspects. And C-TAC doesn’t just talk about these various aspects; C-TAC actually advances and leads the conversation across all levels, from the local level to the national and federal levels.
– Dr. Richard Walker, CEO/Founder, TVP Care 

We welcome collaboration to ensure health equity, enhanced quality of life and empowerment for individuals confronting serious illness, understanding this comes from ready access to specialized care, support and resources.
– Dr. Michael Udwin, Medical Director, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield 

I share an office with Healthsperien, so I have known Jon for several years now and we’ve talked about the various organizations we’ve represented. But, what attracted me now is you’ve broadened the whole definition from just a focus on palliative and hospice care, but chronic care leading to end of life and that is kind of the focus we do every day. We’re expanding really quickly through new positions and clinics, so we need to be on top of current issues and we have a lot to share from our experience with a lot of other organizations.
– Gary Jacobs, Executive Director, VillageMD 

How do C-TAC’s policy priorities align with your organization’s mission and work?  

Allowing older New Yorkers the ability to age in place with the highest level of service is exactly what the AAA network does. Funding for chronic illness education, end of life support, and policy integration to ensure a continuum of care is an essential function and is supported by C-TAC. Conversations regarding serious illness, hospice and palliative care, and advanced care planning are all roles that our network plays a critical part. Policy advocacy at a federal level allows us to continue to adjust our resource base, to best serve those in our community. C-TAC is an additional partner to ensure we continue to advance key priorities and improve quality of life for the 4.6 million older New Yorkers and their families.
– Becky Preve, Executive Director, Association on Aging in New York

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CareOregon is one of a handful of Medicaid health plans across the country to create a community-based palliative care benefit and a value-based payment model to sustainably support outpatient palliative care providers in our community.  The providers we have contracted with are mission-driven providers who prioritize access for Medicaid recipients, and this has enormous value to CareOregon. CareOregon and Housecall Providers (one of CareOregon’s family of businesses) have worked to provide input and guidance to Senator Wyden’s office on previous versions of the Chronic Care Act. CareOregon and Housecall Providers have representation on the Oregon Health Authority Rules Advisory Committee for HB 2981, Oregon’s Medicaid Palliative Care legislation.

– Dr. Amit Shah, Chief Medical Officer, CareOregon

Trellis delivers information and assistance and care coordination services to older adults and family caregivers. Many older adults ask us for help with advance care planning. Our outreach staff provides education in the community on advance care planning, with priority to reach Indigenous and other elders of color. C-TAC’s partnership with USAging on advance care planning and its policy initiative to include licensed clinical social workers as eligible practitioners who can bill for Medicare ACP counseling services aligns well with the need we see in the community to expand access to the service.

– Dawn Simonson, President & CEO, Trellis 

We know, from recent estimates, that over 90% of the care in these vulnerable populations is provided by the family caregiver, who is often overwhelmed, struggling and under-supported. The burden they carry is responsible for skyrocketing rates of stress, depression and declines in their overall health. We know, from our work with caregivers in faith communities, that when the caregiver receives practical, emotional and spiritual support, the person they are caring for receives better care and has a much higher quality of life. We are truly excited for the opportunity to collaborate with other leaders C-TAC brings together to address the problems of this vulnerable population who, like us, embrace an integrated approach inclusive of the faith community as a bridge to providing education, resources and whole person care support.

– Deb Kelsey-Davis, RN, MHSA, Co-Founder, Nourish for Caregivers 

Since becoming a member, have you attended any members-only events? If so, how did this event impact you and your work?

I’ve attended the Policy Meet-Up and it’s been insightful to understand the status of C-TAC’s policy initiatives. These conversations have been helpful in understanding and valuing C-TAC’s work, partnerships and thought-leadership.

– Dawn Simonson, President & CEO, Trellis

Since we joined only recently, we’ve attended one member-only event so far (Feb 2023 Policy meet-up). That event impressed us both in the level of the discussion – hearing about the work and issues that C-TAC is involved with – and in the members themselves who attended. It was a cross-section of the landscape since it included non-profit foundations, insurance payers, health systems, ancillary care organizations like hospice companies, and more. The diversity was impressive.

– Dr. Richard Walker, CEO/Founder, TVP Care

We are excited to participate in C-TAC’s Payor Collaborative, and team members regularly attend Policy Meet-Ups to stay abreast of Congressional, Medicare and CMMI activities to better forecast future opportunities, payment strategies and innovation.

– Terri Maxwell, Ph.D., APRN, Chief Clinical Officer, Empassion

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your organization with the coalition?

Nourish for Caregivers was invited to provide input into the RAISE recommendations and strategies prepared for congress in 2021, focusing specifically on culturally-appropriate resources and congregational care. We were honored to share a voice with others on these critical topics. Nourish for caregivers was invited to provide input because of our unique and innovative programs which support family caregivers in faith communities across the country. We know collaboration with faith communities works! Our outcomes clearly show where caregivers are supported through Nourish for Caregivers programs, 90% of the caregivers report stress levels are reduced, 98% report loneliness reduced through reconnection and support to others, and 92% say their faith and prayer life is improved, which is a key metric in resiliency and ability to cope.

– Deb Kelsey-Davis, RN, MHSA, Co-Founder, Nourish for Caregivers

Primary care shouldn’t just be about a patient coming to a doctor’s office, it should also be about home-based primary care, telehealth, the office settings, and then expanding our model to include behavioral health, navigators to function in social determinants in health, integrate pharmacies. We have some amazing nuances that we are building into our model so that we will be a part of the transformation. We are all really passionate and fully committed to the work we do from our senior leadership team and every level of patient care.

– Gary Jacobs, Executive Director, VillageMD

Help Texts is a public benefit corporation, with a deep commitment to ensuring that ALL individuals can receive support at end of life, and after the death of someone close to them. We see every day that text is equity. Text removes the barriers that often prevent underserved and under-resourced communities from receiving support – barriers such as cost, geography, technology, bandwidth, cultural mistrust and time. We were drawn to C-TAC because of the organization’s commitment to providing equitable, impactful support when people are facing life challenges, and by the opportunity to connect with C-TAC members who share the same goals.

– Emma Payne, CEO, Help Texts

We are full of gratitude for all our wonderful members who strive to improve advanced care for all. C-TAC is thrilled to welcome these new organizations into the coalition, and we are excited for the future of these collaborations! To network with this diverse group of advocates and influencers and be a part of the conversation, be sure to join us for The C-TAC | CAPC Leadership Summit October 23rd-24th in Washington DC. Leaders from all sectors focused on advancing person-centered care for people living with serious illness will convene to share and learn about innovative strategies to meet the needs of patients and families. Be sure to save the date as registration will open soon! 

If you are interested in learning more about C-TAC membership,

please contact Partnerships Director Luke Scuitto at LScuitto@thectac.org. 

A VOICE FOR MILLIONS. A COALITION OF MANY. ONE SINGULAR MISSION.