UHCAN Ohio is a consumer health advocacy organization working to achieve high quality, affordable health care for all Ohioans and building the voice of consumers in health care reform.
Columbus, OH—UHCAN Ohio honored six champions of health care reform, including one from Cleveland Ohio, at its annual event, Lend your Voice—Health Care for All held on May 31, 2012. The six awardees were chosen because of their commitment to expanding health care to all Ohioans.
The six awardees were chosen because of their commitment to expanding access to quality, affordable health care to all Ohioans. “Improving access to quality, affordable health care is our core mission,” said Cathy Levine, Executive Director of UHCAN Ohio. “The Ohioans we are honoring have all elevated the voice of consumers in health care, which is central to our work. They work tirelessly in their communities to improve access to health care for those who need it the most.”
Cleveland resident, Karen Butler, was one of UHCAN Ohio’s honorees. Karen is currently the Director of the Cleveland Department of Public Health under the leadership of Mayor Frank G. Jackson. She previously served as the Commissioner of Health for the City of Cleveland as well as many executive-level positions within the healthcare industry. She has been involved in several civic and professional organizations and she serves as an adjunct instructor at Case Western Reserve University in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
UHCAN Ohio Executive Director Kathy Levine states “Karen Butler deeply comprehends the connection between public health and health care reform and is a consistent outspoken leader supporting expansion of access to health care and promoting the reshaping of the health care delivery system as a consistent role in the promotion of public health.”
In accepting her award, Butler said, “What matters most is what we do for the least among us.”
In addition to the three Central Ohio Honorees, UHCAN Ohio also honored three Central Ohio residents, Jeff Biehl, Norm Wernet and Dr. Dana Vallangeon as well as Karen Krause of Toledo Ohio and Gloria Smith of Cincinnati.
The evening was hosted by UHCAN Ohio Board President, Lorin Ranbom, who stated in his opening address, “UHCAN Ohio plays a unique role in health care reform: promoting the interests of consumers – the users of health care – in health care reform and has received national recognition for building coalitions of diverse consumer interests and ensuring an organized voice for consumers in health care decision making.”
UHCAN Ohio is a consumer health advocacy organization working to achieve high quality, affordable health care for all Ohioans and building the voice of consumers in health care reform.
UHCAN Ohio is leading the charge in implementing the Affordable Care Act, from the new competitive marketplace for purchasing insurance (the “Exchange”), to creating new models of coordinated, safer care for Ohioans with chronic health conditions, to strengthening review of insurance rates, and more.
