History

Forging a Strong Voice on Health Reform and Coverage
San Diegans for Healthcare Coverage (SDHCC) and its subsidiary, the San Diego Business Healthcare Connection (BHC), were founded in 2001 with a mission of improving access to health care through the expansion of healthcare coverage.  SDHCC was formed by the management committee of the Improving Access to Healthcare (IAH) project, initiated by the County of San Diego to focus on a federal demonstration waiver to expand healthcare coverage in the region.  IAH efforts were stymied by State waivers and budget issues and the not-for-profit SDHCC was created to continue the collaborative and efforts begun through the IAH project.  The BHC was the initial project undertaken by the SDHCC.  Over the years, the BHC has successfully developed partnerships and relationships with significant sectors within the business community, providing outreach, education and assistance with health coverage.  The BHC has simultaneously worked to elevate health reform as a priority issue with its business partners. 

Throughout 2004 and 2005, a series of focus groups, coalition strategic planning and coordination meetings, and business and labor roundtable forums were conducted.  Each forum included representation from key constituency groups – both on panels and in the audience.  An Audience Response System (ARS) was used to secure input from all participants.

Each session focused on one or more key elements of health reform and coverage expansion (e.g., benefits, affordability, and eligibility) and securing consensus positions on those elements.  The results established the basis for the San Diego Healthcare Connection (SDHC) as a three-share pilot demonstration project to expand coverage through the workplace.  The SDHC was introduced as legislation (2005-2007) but was overtaken by comprehensive reform proposals by the Governor and Legislature.  SB51 was sponsored by SDHCC and the San Diego Regional Chamber and, through its collaborative and BHC relationships, demonstrated significant support from diverse constituencies throughout the region including business, labor, healthcare, consumer and community groups.

After the SDHC pilot project was overtaken by failed statewide reform efforts, the SDHCC Board and stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to pursue their mission and goals.  Over the past year, SDHCC has continued to strengthen and expand its coalition and its consensus principles.  Two SDHCC community forums were organized -- co-sponsored by business, health, and consumer organizations and foundations – and brought national experts to San Diego to provide their insights on what is evolving as the new Health Reform landscape.  Again, SDHCC pursued consensus on the evolving issues related to a public plan, health insurance reforms and shared responsibility.

From these efforts, SDHCC Principles and Required Elements for Health Reform have been updated and ratified by the SDHCC Board of Directors.  The momentum gained through the coalition education and consensus building process has garnered the interest of other organizations seeking to unravel the complexities of health reform. 

Based on its Principles, SDHCC will continue to advocate and pursue meaningful health reform through its coalition, elected officials and other available channels and opportunities.