What is the California Partnership for Access to Treatment?
The California Partnership for Access to Treatment (CPAT) is a diverse network of advocacy organizations, community groups, health care providers and employers committed to ensuring a healthy and productive California. As a communications, education and resource network, CPAT works to provide its partners and the communities they serve with information to assist them in their advocacy efforts to address issues ranging from increasing access to quality care, treatment and medicines, and eliminating health care disparities.

Why is CPAT needed?
CPAT is needed to help bring together organizations and individuals who may not normally have the opportunity to connect and share information and ideas about how to help increase access to health care in California. By organizing educational seminars and providing partners with valuable resources and information, CPAT can help its partners gain a better understanding of California’s changing health care system.

What is CPAT’s goal?
CPAT’s goal is to provide health care access information and resources to its diverse network of partners so that they may share this information with the communities they serve. CPAT listens to the needs of partners and works to present relevant information to them on an on-going basis. For example, CPAT partners asked for information about health economics and CPAT conducted a seminar addressing the subject. Partners asked for information about how to advocate for themselves and CPAT provided them with a communications outreach training program. CPAT continually works to address the needs of our partners and their constituents.

What will CPAT do to help increase access to health care in the state?
CPAT hopes to help achieve a healthier and more productive California by bringing together diverse groups and encouraging a health care dialogue and information sharing so that all stakeholders can work together to increase access to care.

Who are CPAT partners?
CPAT partners include patient advocates, non-profit organizations, clinics, nurses, physician organizations, religious and community groups, as well as employer and business organizations. Many partners provide support and services directly to patients and their families, including those living with arthritis, cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, liver and kidney disease, mental illness, pulmonary disease, vision impairment, and many others.

What are the benefits of joining CPAT?
By joining CPAT, partners have the unique opportunity to share and receive information about ways to address health care disparities and reduce the barriers to quality care, treatment and access to medicines for the underinsured and underserved communities. CPAT encourages partners to recommend programs that help increase awareness of health care disparities in California. Through CPAT’s ongoing program of education and community outreach activities, partners can build long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationships, gain visibility and engage in new and proactive efforts to help their communities fight health disparities and barriers to care.

What are the partner roles/responsibilities?
Our partners are not assigned specific roles or responsibilities, and no time commitments exist. We do ask that they participate in events whenever possible and help assist with generating ideas to keep CPAT a vibrant and relevant network. We always encourage suggestions and comments from our partners as they are the foundation of our network.

Is there a cost to joining CPAT?
Joining CPAT costs nothing. We ask that partners be active participants in providing information and ideas on how to best address health care disparities and reduce the barriers to quality care, treatment and access to medicines for the underinsured, minorities and underserved communities

Who is funding CPAT?
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) is funding the outreach and education effort of CPAT’s diverse network of advocates, health care providers, community groups and employers. PhRMA is committed to the promotion of health education and preventive health care initiatives within our communities to reduce the prevalence of disease.

Does CPAT meet regularly?
CPAT arranges health care seminars and training sessions throughout the State several times a year. CPAT provides partners with a monthly newsletter, CA Access News, updating partners via e-mail of future events and important health care related news. To learn more about CPAT and our future seminars, view our Web site. If you have questions or would like to schedule an outreach meeting, please call Charlotte Phillips at (916) 658-0144 (Northern California) or Brandon Stephenson at (323) 466-3445 (Southern California).

Does CPAT have a steering committee?
No, CPAT does not have a steering committee at this time. However, we work closely with our partner organizations and seek their input on the direction of our education and outreach opportunities.

How can I help?
You can help by joining the efforts of the CPAT. Please call Janet Soule at (916) 658-0144 (Northern California) or Brandon Stephenson at (323) 466-3445 (Southern California) for more information.