What is the Coalition for Healthcare Communication?
What does the Coalition do?
How does the Coalition decide what positions to support?
Does the Coalition help the nation's healthcare?
Is the Coalition supported by the drug industry?
Does the Coalition do actual lobbying?
How can I join the Coalition?
How can I help the Coalition?

Q. What is the Coalition for Healthcare Communication?
A. It is an association of associations composed of individuals and companies involved in communicating health information. It is a voluntary, independent association, whose member organizations are composed of health-related advertisers, advertising agencies, communications companies, the media and others--listed in the About Us section on this site.

Q. What does the Coalition do?
A. The Coalition is an advocacy association that promotes the free flow of medical and other scientific information to professional care givers and the general public. It provides educational information to thought leaders in industry, social service organizations, and government through written material and personal contact. The focus is on issues that involve communications.

Q. How does the Coalition decide what positions to support?
A. Representatives of member organizations meet every other month in New York City to discuss current issues in health information communications. The issues are carefully examined and decisions are made on how, or if, Coalition efforts may be helpful. The issues usually revolve around restrictions by government, lack of transparency by industry, controls by professional organizations in the regulation and dissemination of information to physicians and other care givers.

Q. Does the Coalition help the nation's healthcare?
A. The Coalition feels, simply, promoting the free flow of the latest developments and potential therapies benefits professionals and patients.

Q. Is the Coalition supported by the drug industry?
A. The Coalition receives some contributions from industry but the vast majority (over ninety percent in 2002) comes from the Coalition. The preponderance comes from the member organizations and the companies that make up those associations, who make annual contributions in support of the Coalition activities.

Q. Does the Coalition do actual lobbying?
A. No. While the Coalition does provide information to member organizations who confer with legislators and their staffs, it is not registered, nor does it function, as a lobbying organization.

Q. How can I join the Coalition?
A. Organizations rather than individuals are members of the Coalition. An individual can represent his or her organization to the Coalition. If you wish to participate in Coalition activities or attend a meeting, contact executive director John Kamp at 212-850-0708 or jkamp@cohealthcom.org.

Q. How can I help the Coalition?
A. Coalition activities are undertaken by individuals who volunteer their time and effort. We can use your help in any of the following ways:

• Submit any ideas about the Coalition or how this website may be made more effective.
• Volunteer to perform limited administrative or professional tasks using your experience and skills.
• Arrange for a contribution to support the basic activities the Coalition undertakes.

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