Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program: The role and value of public-private partnerships

With the implementation of the ACA, it is essential for the public health sector to elucidate its role with respect to its mission of assuring population health, and to clarify its role with respect to the private health care system.  To that end we examined the value-added to the population health enterprise of successful Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), those found in the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) in Illinois, the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP).  Key Informant (KI) interviews were conducted with IBCCP Lead Agency (LA) Coordinators (n=35/36) in winter 2012-2013 focused on IBCCP implementation. Analysis was conducted using Atlas.ti software. The KI interviews revealed the existence of highly developed PPP between the IBCCP LAs and individual medical providers and hospitals across Illinois. The interview data suggest that the small amount of funding provided by IBCCP to each LA in Illinois has been used to build and sustain robust PPP in the majority of the IBCCP communities.  The PPP networks that have been developed through the IBCCP can be seen as an unplanned benefit of the CDC’s investment in breast and cervical health through the NBCCEDP.  While the IBCCP/NBCCEDP might be considered a “boutique” categorical program which some may consider no longer necessary as individuals gain insurance under the ACA,  the KI data underscore the critical role of public sector dollars, not only to serve  individuals and communities directly, but to mobilize the private sector to act and become advocates for underserved communities.