NBCH Changes Name to National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions

WASHINGTON and ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Signaling a renewed focus on innovation and collaboration to improve health and our healthcare system, the National Business Coalition on Health (NBCH) is undergoing a name change accompanied by a new visual identity and website. Unveiled at its annual conference, the organization will now be known as the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions (National Alliance or NAHPC).

"Our new name reinforces and more accurately reflects our distinctive leadership role in healthcare and vast network of coalitions across the country," said the National Alliance President and CEO Mike Thompson, who was brought on in June 2016 to lead the organization. "In addition to a new identity we're launching a number of initiatives that will advance innovation in health, well-being and value in our companies and communities across the country."

The National Alliance consists of about 50 coalitions across the country, offering a unique and diverse channel to mobilize and facilitate access to purchasers and stakeholders. Collectively, this network of coalitions:

• Supports over 12,000 healthcare purchasers providing health coverage to over 41 million Americans, ranging from small- and mid-sized companies to large organizations (e.g. 450 organizations with over 5,000 employees).
• Represents purchasers across private and public (city, state, federal) sectors, non-profit and Taft-Hartley organizations.
• Serves nearly every major metropolitan community and many rural areas across the United States.

The organization also maintains a strong network of relationships with diverse stakeholders nationally through its National Health Leadership Council whose membership consists of purchasers, consultants, payers, hospital and health systems, pharmaceutical companies, advocacy groups, etc. This established infrastructure engages stakeholders, drives national adoption of evidence-based practices and assesses performance of plans against those practices.

"This new brand reflects the collective impact we have as coalitions across the country," said Karen van Caulil, President and CEO of the Florida Health Care Coalition and the National Alliance board chair. "By working together our purchaser networks are helping to transform both the health of our employees and communities while improving the performance and value of our healthcare system."

Key ProgramsThe National Alliance provides expertise, resources, and a voice to its member coalitions across the country and represents each community coalition at the national level. Its programs are designed to spread the tenets and practical applications of community health reform and offer programs and tools to assist purchasers. Key programs are focused around innovation and performance related to health plans and pharmacy benefit managers (eValue8), specialty drug marketplace, well-being and behavioral health initiatives, and value-based purchasing efforts.

HistoryFounded in 1992 as the national umbrella group for employer-based health coalitions, the organization was established as a not-for-profit incorporated in the State of Florida. In 1993 the name was changed to the National Business Coalition on Health and a Washington, DC office was opened. Since then, the National Alliance member coalitions and multi-stakeholder affiliates have worked to develop programs that focused on measuring and reporting performance, reforming the health care delivery payment system and engaging employees and consumers in taking and active and informed role in their health and healthcare.

About the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser CoalitionsThe National Alliance is a nonprofit network of business health coalitions, representing more than 12,000 purchasers and 41 million Americans. Its members are dedicated to driving innovation, health and value through the collective action of public and private purchasers. The organization seeks to accelerate the nation's progress toward safe, efficient, high-quality health care and the improved health status of the American population. www.nationalalliancehealth.org

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160926/411956LOGO

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nbch-changes-name-to-national-alliance-of-healthcare-purchaser-coalitions-300334312.html

SOURCE National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions