Mission Statement

Consumers for Affordable Health Care, and our Coalition
are organized to advance the following goals:

1. A system of universal health care providing the full range of care for all Maine citizens, including preventive and primary care, acute and long-term care;
   
   
2. A system of health care and coverage financed from a broad variety of sources, both public and private, based on the income of businesses and individuals, which provides care based not on ability to pay but only on the need for health services;
   
   
3. Moderate the rising costs of health care for all Maine citizens, while preserving quality;
   
   
4. Ensure the availability of coverage that protects the individual's right to freely choose her or his provider and method of care; and
   
   
5. Ensure a strong consumer voice in decision-making at all levels and in all forums to provide for a consumer-oriented health system in Maine and the United States.

Our activities to achieve these goals shall include, are not limited to:

1. organizing and educating people in the state of Maine to enable them to actively participate in decision-making at all levels and in all forums;
   
   
2. training the public, member organizations and nonmember organizations to advocate for needed change;
   
   
3. training the public, member organizations and nonmember organizations about the availability of public and other social benefit programs;
   
   
4. coordinating activities with members of the public, member organizations, nonmember organizations and other entities in Maine and the United States;
   
   
5. providing high quality technical assistance to individuals, community groups, member and nonmember organizations in planning, policy development, preparation of testimony, and community organizing;
   
   
6. providing health policy and legal analysis to members of the public, community organizations or others;
   
   
7. advocating and lobbying for needed systemic reforms;
   
   
8. forging partnerships with local, state and national advocacy organizations; and,
   
   
9. fostering and facilitating communication and collaboration with diverse interest groups and constituencies around common goals.