UHCAN supports the Institute of Medicine principles for health care reform which call for:

• Health care coverage should be universal.
• Health care coverage should be continuous.
• Health care coverage should be affordable to individuals and families.
• The health insurance strategy should be affordable and sustainable for society.
• Health insurance should enhance health and well-being by promoting access to high-quality care that is effective, efficient, safe, timely, patient-centered, and equitable.

UHCAN believes strong grassroots organizing capacity at the local and state level is essential to build the political power needed to ensure that future health reform enacted in the U.S. is consistent with these principles.

UHCAN's mission is to help build, strengthen and connect organizations and coalitions in states and nationally that can effectively engage the public, policymakers and key constituencies to achieve affordable, quality health care for all.

UHCAN's Goals

I. Connect state health care advocacy groups with each and other and national organizations to promote sharing resources and information, best practices, and collaboration

UHCAN is an inclusive national network that connects state health care advocacy groups with each other and with national organizations working to advance health care for all. We promote learning from best practices, strategic thinking, and effective campaign strategies. UHCAN helps build relationships among advocacy leaders and policy experts, facilitates information-sharing, and provides the "big picture" on state and national health reform policy approaches and politics.

II. Facilitate new alliances and broader coalitions in states and nationally to build public and political support needed to advance the achievement of affordable, quality health care for all.

UHCAN helps state groups engage key constituencies in order to build sufficient public and political support needed to win affordable, quality health care for all. We facilitate relationships between state/local health care advocacy coalitions and affiliates of key national organizations to engage them in efforts in their areas.

III. Promote effective engagement with policymakers, both state and national, by strengthening leadership and advocacy skills among state-based advocates and their organizations.

UHCAN partners with other national organizations to foster leadership and advocacy skills among state-based health care advocates and their coalitions. UHCAN helps state groups effectively engage and mobilize key policymakers to support affordable, quality health care for all in states and nationally.

UHCAN's priorities are predicated on the belief that strong grassroots organizing capacity at the local and state level is essential to build the political power needed to ensure that future health reform enacted in the U.S. is consistent with these principles.