Our Policy Center

CHC: Creating Healthier Communities is a nonprofit, nonpartisan voice dedicated to improving the health of communities across the United States. By serving as a catalyst for good health and well-being, we accelerate positive change among our corporate, nonprofit, and community partners. At CHC, we envision a world where every person in every community has an opportunity to live their healthiest life.

Driven by the Urgency of Now

At CHC, we are committed to advancing policies that foster healthier communities by addressing barriers to well-being. We listen to and work with partners to address the magnitude of challenges facing communities. Everything we do, we do together. Community-led solutions must involve all sectors—public, private, government, and nonprofit. Our policy positions reflect our core belief that every person, regardless of background or zip code, should have access to the resources and opportunities needed to achieve their best health.

  • Protect Medicaid from Cuts: Medicaid is a lifeline for millions of individuals and families, ensuring access to essential healthcare services. CHC strongly opposes any efforts to cut Medicaid funding or restrict eligibility, as these measures would disproportionately harm vulnerable communities, increase health disparities, and strain our healthcare system. We advocate for policies that strengthen and expand Medicaid to support better health outcomes for all.

  • Invest in Birth Workers to Improve Maternal Health: The U.S. faces a maternal health crisis, particularly among communities who experience disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality. CHC supports policies that provide funding for community-based birth workers—including doulas and midwives—who play a critical role in improving maternal health outcomes. Expanding access to these services can lead to healthier pregnancies, safer births, and stronger families.

  • Expand Access to Mental Health Services:CHC supports policies that increase funding for community-based mental health programs, integrate mental health into primary care, and strengthen substance use disorder prevention and recovery efforts. By expanding access to care and addressing social determinants of mental health, we can build healthier communities where everyone has the support they need to thrive.

Our Actions

CHC takes an active role in advocating for policies that support community health and well-being: writing and signing letters advocating for healthcare access; thought leadership in public forums; and sharing the stories of those most impacted by shifts in health policy. We invite you to join us in our mission.

View more of our Medicaid Diaries.

Our Expertise

CHC’s deep expertise in health equity, policy innovation, and community-centered solutions positions us to tackle the evolving challenges of healthcare. With decades of leadership in public health, Medicaid, and healthcare transformation, our team understands the complexities ahead and is uniquely equipped to drive lasting change for underserved communities.

Policy Leadership

CHC President & CEO
Dr. Jean Accius

CHC Health Equity Committee
Charleeda Redman, Chair

Karen Addis
President & CEO
Addis Communications

Kellie Adesina
Director of Government Affairs
The Kraft Heinz Company

Bryan Buckley
Head of Public Health
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

Michael Currie
Former UnitedHealth Group Chief Health Equity Officer
National Healthcare Quality Expert

Daniel Dawes
Senior Vice President, Global Health &
Founding Dean, School of Global Health at Meharry Medical College

Tenbit Emiru
Executive VP and Chief Medical Officer
UCare

Pavni Guharoy
Owner, MetaMorph

Joy Lewis
Senior Vice President, Health Equity Strategies and Executive Director, Institute for Diversity and Health Equity at the American Hospital Association

Brian Palmer
HIV Prevention Medical Scientist
Gilead Sciences

Juan Zuniga
Managing Partner
Rimon Law

Creating Healthier Communities

65+

For nearly 70 years, CHC has been creating healthier communities. The CHC executive team possesses over 100 years of experience in developing national nonprofit and health equity programs. Learn more about our leadership.