Government & Public Affairs
The Providence family of organizations is an enduring advocate for important health and social programs that contribute to the health of our communities. Our special focus on serving those who are poor and vulnerable compels us to work for a better and more just health care system.
Inspired by our belief that health is a human right, our family of organizations is ready to partner with lawmakers on policies that will improve the health and well-being of those we serve.
Learn more about our priorities
- Maintain flexible policy frameworks for staffing and telehealth
Enable providers to use clinical expertise in the best, most affordable care settings. - Strengthen our public health infrastructure
Increase rapid, collaborative strategies for outreach, testing, treatment, immunization and data collection. - Reduce health disparities
The impact of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases should not be disproportionate on people of color and minority communities. - Increase readiness for infectious disease
Quickly detect and respond to outbreaks through national surveillance systems and alerts.
- Sustain Medicaid and Medicare
Protect the health and well-being of 130 million Americans. - Expand private and public health insurance
Grow Medicare Advantage and advance ‘primary care for all’ coverage. - Continue to adopt value-based payment models
Enable increased integration between payers and providers. - Reduce medication costs
Increase visibility into pricing and protect the 340B Drug Pricing Program.
- End racial disparities
Policy can improve health outcomes and culturally competent care. - Support innovative care models
Enable more affordable, nimble care such as telehealth. - Increase interoperability
Connected care brings many benefits to entire populations. - Protect nonprofits’ ability to care for all
Preserve existing tax-exempt policies. - Increase mental health and substance use care
Enable community-based solutions. - Reduce provider shortages and increase workforce diversity
Focus first on rural and underserved communities.
- Reduce social and economic inequities
Improve nutrition and other social services for better health. - Decrease and prevent homelessness
Increase access to affordable housing and extend eviction moratoriums. - Improve stewardship of our environment
Expand policies on clean renewable energy to lessen the impact of climate change. - Support common-sense gun safety
Reduce injuries and deaths. - Seek justice for the most vulnerable
Advocate for immigrants and victims of human trafficking.
Our diverse family of organizations is driven by the belief that health care is a human right. Sometimes that means speaking up as advocates for those who are poor and vulnerable and for needed reforms in health care. Together, we can be a strong voice for those we serve.
Here in the action center, you can learn about opportunities for direct advocacy. To find out what is happening in your area, click on the state where you live.
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- Alaska
- California
- Montana
- Oregon
- Texas and New Mexico
- Washington – Swedish
- Washington – Providence and other partners
Participation by our caregivers and board members is always voluntary.
Every caregiver with the Providence family of organizations has the power to be an advocate.
You might be surprised to learn who is covered by Medicaid. They may be people you know – loved ones, neighbors, or work friends. Read about families and individuals who needed help getting care in the past, or who depend on Medicaid now. They are grateful for the coverage. With regular, sometimes lifesaving care, they are hopeful for the future.
Medicaid is a lifeline and a safety net
The Providence family of organizations believes that health care is a basic human right. More than 22 million people across the seven western U.S. states we serve have Medicaid coverage. They are part of our human family and each one deserves access to care.
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Medicaid Myths & Facts: Ryan Keay, M.D.
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Many Faces of Medicaid: Medicaid’s role in the opioid epidemic
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Many Faces of Medicaid: Cee J and Shar Jackson’s story
For more than 29 years, the 340B Drug Pricing Program has provided financial relief from high prescription drug costs to certain hospitals. The Public Health Service Act requires pharmaceutical manufacturers participating in Medicaid to sell outpatient medications at discounted prices to health care organizations that care for many uninsured and low-income patients. In turn, this allows the hospitals to stretch limited federal resources to reduce the cost of medications and expand other health care services for these patients.
At Providence, hospitals across our family of organizations participate in the 340B program because it helps our patients get access to much-needed care. These hospitals serve as safety nets that not only have been able to support patient services and programs that strengthen community health and well-being, but also pass on 340B benefits in the form of lower-cost or free medications.
Examples of how we reinvest 340B benefits in response to identified needs:
- Medication assistance programs for those who cannot afford their prescriptions
- Access to rare or expensive medication treatments
- Free annual flu shot clinics
- School-based health clinics for at-risk elementary and high school students
- Medical care within a multidisciplinary team that serves victims of sexual and physical abuse, including prescribed medications
- Medication management for patients with chronic diseases
- Enhanced medication management and counseling for oncology patients
- Funding on-site pharmacists and pharmacies in more rural areas to dispense and advise on medications for complex treatments
- There are many other unmet needs in our communities, and we respond each year by reaching beyond hospital walls to make diverse and significant investments in community benefit. Read our community benefit report
The government and public affairs team at the Providence family of organizations serves as a voice for the voiceless, speaking up to support social justice and create health for a better world. Our work has a special focus on serving those who are especially vulnerable. Together, our team leads all advocacy on behalf of our seven-state family of organizations.
- Ali Santore - executive vice president, chief advocacy officer, Government Affairs and Social Responsibility
- Jacquelyn Bombard - executive director, Federal Government Affairs
- Ricci Crinzi - analyst, Federal Government Affairs
- Jessica Adamson - executive director, State Government Affairs
- Steve Beck - vice president, Administration, Covenant Health, Texas and New Mexico
- Emily Ford - director, State Affairs, Government Relations, Alaska, Texas, and New Mexico
- Jordan Abushawish - director, Public Affairs, Southern California
- Ernesto Olivares - manager, Government Affairs, Northern California
- Kristen Downey - director, Government Relations, Oregon
- Jackie Fabrick - program manager, Government Affairs, Oregon
- Lauren Platt McDonald - director, Government Relations, Washington and Montana
- Teddi McGuire - program manager, Government Affairs, Washington and Montana