Together, We Make a Difference

Access to Affordable Care

Ongoing Work (2022–2024)

• Successfully defended the Inflation Reduction Act’s drug price negotiation provisions through amicus briefs, educational events, and joint letters to Congress.
• Organized in-person meetings with congressional leadership and committee staff to protect Medicare and Medicaid funding.
• Supported Medicaid expansion in 10 states; including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
• Hosted “Advocacy Grand Rounds” and coalition briefings that led to expansion victories in North Carolina and legislative progress in Michigan.

NEW: 2025 Highlights

• Dr. Tom Ellison testified before Congress on Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits and Medicaid protections.
• More than 250 voices - and over 15 powerful videos - flooded Congress demanding lawmakers extend the enhanced ACA tax credits and protect affordable care. Nearly 2,400 messages submitted opposing Medicaid cuts; testimony shared with Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP).
• 700+ messages sent opposing the Ensuring Pathways to Innovative Cures Act (EPIC Act), contributing to its failure.The “Some Cuts Never Heal” campaign debuted with powerful national video stories highlighting the real-world harm these cuts would cause for patients. These stories resonated so strongly that numerous Members of Congress later used them in their advocacy. DFA advocates joined the U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to highlight insurance access.
• Op-eds published on Medicaid privatization and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) nominations.
• Amicus briefs and public comments submitted on drug pricing, Medicare transparency, and ACA requirements.
• Advocates attended hearings on RFK Jr., Marketplace rules, and science policy.

Community Health and Prevention

Ongoing Work (2022–2024)

• Designed and launched the “Why I Vote” campaign to frame civic participation as a social determinant of health.
• Created toolkits on safe firearm storage, measles awareness, pain management, and countering misinformation.
• Hosted the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention event with the Second Gentleman, where 40 clinicians participated in elevating the health impacts of gun violence.
• Provided training on substance-use disorder prevention, harm reduction, and addiction medicine.

NEW: 2025 Highlights

• Dr. Woodie Kessel spoke at a press conference with Senator Bernie Sanders on the importance of vaccines for children.
• Submitted ACIP public comments; responded to HHS deregulatory proposals.
• Partnered with the Newtown Action Alliance for lobbying days and firearm-safety outreach.
• Released Opioid Use Disorder Screening Toolkit and overdose-prevention tools.
• Issued statements on SAMHSA cuts, USPSTF independence, COVID updates, and H5N1.
• Expanded vaccine story portal and educational social media series.
• Issued statements addressing misinformation, WHO withdrawal, and CDC leadership actions.
• Submitted public comment on a RFI regarding HHS deregulatory efforts 
• Submitted a memo on The Maternal Health, Dignity and Consent Act in New York

Health Justice and Equity

Ongoing Work (2022–2024)

• Filed amicus briefs supporting access to mifepristone and collaborated with the Center for American Progress on the Idaho v. United States case defending EMTALA protections.
• Partnered with Columbia Law and Harvard Law clinics to produce Abortion Shield Law Guides for New York and Massachusetts.
• Hosted national training on gender-affirming care, reproductive justice, and decarceration, and co-created advocacy toolkits with ACLU and Whitman-Walker.
• Developed the 2024 HIPAA Reproductive Rule and Healthcare for Undocumented Patients guidance.

NEW: 2025 Highlights

• Issued statements on Medicaid cuts’ reproductive health impact, SCOTUS rulings, and federal policy decisions.
• Released gender-affirming care and reproductive Know Your Rights guides (DC, Oklahoma, Massachusetts).
• Published a Physician Safety Guide and hosted safety briefings.
• Released immigration and decriminalization toolkit; continued work on menstrual equity, conversion therapy, and carceral health.
• Continued reproductive care training series, reaching 170+ advocates.
• Developing a 2026 Advocacy Bootcamp and new educational/oped projects.
• Submitted memos in support of updated shield law provisions in New York

FDA Task Force

Ongoing Work (2022–2024)

• Advocated for FDA capacity and transparency through meetings, briefings, and fly-ins.
• Submitted comments on accelerated approval pathways and clinical trial requirements.
• Hosted Advocacy Grand Round sessions with leading experts on vaccines, safety, and drug regulation.
  
  

NEW: 2025 Highlights

• Met with the Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary; multiple fly-ins held with bipartisan congressional offices.
• Submitted congressional questions and public comments on accelerated approval and FDA oversight.
• Issued statements on FDA/National Institutes of Health nominations, Emergency Use Authorization updates, Elevidys (for treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy) status, U.S. Preventative Services Task Force member removals, and science transparency.
• Hosted webinars with top FDA and vaccine experts.
• Prepared Prescription Drug User Fee (PDUFA) congressional briefing; PDUFA testimony delivered.
• Created educational materials on drug shortages and FDA negotiation processes.