Public-private collaborations and communicating health care reform

A significant goal of the South Carolina Affordable Care Act Implementation Initiative is to provide essential information to the public in regard to consumer considerations and the impact of the various components of health care reform. Operating in a state in which the elected leadership is actively pursuing repeal of the health care law, these efforts also provide evidence-based information regarding the law and related events, such as relevant lawsuits. This initiative, convened by the South Carolina Public Health Institute, includes over 60 organizational stakeholders representing state agencies and the non-profit sector working together. Nine workgroups addressing the state-specific elements of this legislation enable stakeholders to explore and communicate the implications of the Affordable Care Act to individuals, communities and policy makers across South Carolina. Communication efforts, focused on tailored messages and presentation of data, reach diverse audiences through various methods. The initial results of this public-private collaborative include the development of comprehensive talking points for use by stakeholders and the media, provision of commentaries and interviews, presentations to professional/community groups and legislative staff, outreach via partner networks, and dissemination to communities such as minority and underserved populations. These efforts support a more focused dialogue around specific aspects of the Affordable Care Act while elevating the discourse to address the realities of health conditions and priorities in South Carolina. Linking stakeholders from across key sectors allows for a purposeful partnership that enables effective dissemination of information leading to productive action on the part of individuals, communities and other stakeholders.