Community Catalyst

The election results underscore the need to remain firm against powerful special interests and extremist politicians working to strip away our freedoms. For many—especially people of color and communities with lower incomes in the South—the threats in Project 2025 are not new but a lived reality shaped by deeply rooted racism, classism, sexism, and other forms of oppression. And this harms us all. As advocates for health justice and those who have persevered through administrations prioritizing profit over people know, the journey to a future where health is a right for all is a marathon, not a sprint. Community Catalyst is unwavering in its commitment to this future. We’re partnering with a broad network of partners to harness the power within our communities to hold policymakers and health systems accountable to their communities. Together, we’re building a movement rooted in equity, fairness, and justice. Join us in the work toward a healthier, more just world.?Read our statement >> https://commcat.io/4fDKKmR

North Carolina has one of the highest rates of #MedicalDebt in the country.?? ? Emergency room physician Dr. Howard Mell has seen first-hand how the looming threat of medical debt has led many of his patients to refuse urgent care.?? ? “It’s hard to say that I ever went two shifts without having somebody answer that they’re not going to fill the prescription, they’re not going to follow up, they’re not going to accept the admission because they’re worried about how to pay for it,” Dr. Mell tells COURIER >> https://bit.ly/48BlDhZ?? ? Dr. Mell no longer works in North Carolina, partially because of concerns about the medical debt crisis.?? ? While progress is being made in North Carolina to provide relief from medical debt, over 100 million people across the nation are still burdened with medical debt.?? ? Medical debt shouldn’t dictate our lives. This election, it’s time to make our voices heard and put our health first.?? ? Do you have a #MedicalDebt story? Share it with us today and tell us why you’re a #MedicalDebtVoter: https://commcat.io/3TUtFfJ??

Debbie in North Carolina was taken to the hospital when she decided to leave her abusive marriage. During her hospital stay, Debbie racked up hundreds of dollars in #MedicalDebt.?? ? Debbie, like others, has depleted her savings and skipped out on basic necessities because of her debt. She receives constant phone calls from the collection agency. Read more from Dylan Rhoney for COURIER >> https://bit.ly/48BhA5h?? ? No one chooses to be in this position.?? ? This election, it’s time to make our voices heard and elect policymakers who put people over profits and address the growing medical debt crisis.?? ? ? Ready to join the movement? Take the #MedicalDebtVoter pledge today and share it with your networks: https://commcat.io/4eduYxC?

Our team loved connecting with everyone at #APHA2024! Big thanks to the American Public Health Association for creating a space for meaningful connections and conversations.?? ? We hosted sessions on:? ??Empowering communities to tackle challenges beyond vaccine equity and access such as housing instability, food security and language barriers.?? ??Transforming #OralHealth through dental therapy? ??How community-based organizations are playing a crucial role in addressing the growing Long COVID crisis? ? These dialogues are vital as we continue to work towards a health system rooted in race equity and health justice, and a society where health is a right for all.? ? Did you attend any of our sessions at #APHA24? Share your thoughts in the comments below and tag us in any pictures you took! If you missed any of our sessions, click here to learn more >> https://commcat.io/3NcTPXy

We're one week away from #ElectionDay and the people have spoken: they want a health care system that works for all. The numbers don't lie: our recent poll with HIT Strategies revealed 68% of voters across party lines agree that tackling medical debt would make the biggest difference in their daily lives. With 4 in 10 people in our country struggling with #MedicalDebt, disproportionately affecting low-income earners, Black and Latinx people — it's clear why this is a voter issue. That's why this election, we're mobilizing voters who have been impacted by #MedicalDebt to demand action from elected officials on this uniquely American crisis — and we’re bringing the fight to end medical debt to the ballot box. Ready to be part of the movement? ? Take the #MedicalDebtVoter pledge and share it with your networks >> https://commcat.io/3UqVg8w ?? Share and learn more about Community Catalyst's #MedicalDebtVoter Campaign >> https://lnkd.in/eHyxeXvR

Are you at the 2024 American Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Expo? ? This Wednesday, October 30th at 9:15 AM, join Sheree H. Keitt, DrPH, MPH, CHES, our Director of Public Health Strategy and Programs, and Daisha Bonhomme, MS, our Senior Strategic Manager for the Vaccine Equity and Access Program for a session where you will learn how community-based organizations can play a crucial role in addressing the growing Long COVID crisis.? ? Find more details on this session >> https://commcat.io/3NcTPXy??? ? To learn more about our Long COVID project, visit >> https://commcat.io/3IxzZnr?

“I like to say that there are only four kinds of people in the world – those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers.” -- Rosalynn Carter, Former First Lady & Family Caregiver Advocate? ? With generational changes in the workforce, a growing number of family caregivers are struggling to address the at-home care needs of both their children and a parent or a loved one with disabilities.?? ? Nearly a quarter of US adults are part of this “forgotten middle” -- middle-income older adults who don't qualify for Medicaid but also don't have sufficient financial resources to pay for long-term care and other health services out-of-pocket.? ? ?? That’s where last week’s new proposed plan from Vice President Kamala Harris to, for the first time, expand Medicare to cover the increasing costs and responsibilities of care could provide some much-needed relief for millions of family caregivers.?

Are you attending at #APHA2024 next week? Join Nicholle Cross MPH, CHES, Strategic Manager for the Vaccine Equity and Access Program at Community Catalyst, on Monday, Oct. 28, from 2:30-3:30 p.m., as she discusses how community-based organizations have tackled critical issues beyond vaccination—addressing housing instability, language barriers, food insecurity, and more.?? ? Let's discuss innovative ways to foster trust and build coalitions that create equitable access for all. We hope to connect with you there!? ? Find out more about this session here: https://commcat.io/3NcTPXy??

No one should have to choose between life and debt. This election, we're mobilizing voters who have been impacted by #MedicalDebt to demand action from elected officials on this uniquely American crisis — and we’re bringing the fight to end medical debt to the ballot box. Join us! Learn more about our #MedicalDebtVoter campaign >> https://lnkd.in/eHyxeXvR

The rapid growth of dental therapists over the past two decades is transforming the dental care landscape, providing accessible and cost-effective solutions in 14 states. Laura (Hale) Brannon, will be presenting at #APHA24 to explore strategies for increasing dental therapy implementation in underserved communities to enhance health equity and access.? ? Learn more about our work to expand oral health access >> https://commcat.io/4ewbbuh? ? And learn how you can attend Laura’s session. Let’s connect! >> https://commcat.io/3NcTPXy?