CHAMPAIGN COUNTY HEALTH CARE CONSUMERS

THE CHAMPAIGN COUNTY HEALTH CARE CONSUMERS IS A CITIZEN ACTION ORGANIZATION, FOUNDED ON THE PREMISE OF PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY AND THE BELIEF THAT MEANINGFUL REFORMS IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM WILL COME ONLY WITH THE ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF CONSUMERS. FROM ITS INCEPTION, CCHCC HAS ORGANIZED TO INCREASE THE INFLUENCE OF CONSUMERS WHO HAVE TRADITIONALLY BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THE HEALTH CARE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS. CCHCC USES THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES TO GUIDE ITS EFFORTS:- ALL PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE- THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF ALL PEOPLE IS DEPENDENT UPON A DECENT STANDARD OF LIVING, INCLUDING ADEQUATE FOOD, CLOTHING, HOUSING, AND NECESSARY SOCIAL SERVICES.- CITIZEN EMPOWERMENT THROUGH CONSUMER PARTICIPATION IS ESSENTIAL FOR ACHIEVING REAL IMPROVEMENTS IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM- COALITION-BUILDING IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF ACHIEVING SIGNFICANT REFORMS WITHIN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.