We are driven by the belief that everyone deserves access to affordable, equitable healthcare.
The PAN Foundation is working toward a future where equitable healthcare access and affordability for all is a reality.
According to a 2024 Kaiser Family Foundation poll, about half of U.S. adults report that it is difficult to afford healthcare costs, and one in four say they or a family member had problems paying for healthcare in the past 12 months.
Our research underscores these findings: access to care is challenging for nearly everyone in the U.S., but especially difficult for communities from historically marginalized groups, including people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, women, and younger people. Alongside patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and partners, we champion long-term solutions for patients through advocacy, research, and education.
Learn more about how we are advocating for expanded healthcare access, leading patient-centered research initiatives, and developing educational resources.
Our advocacy priorities
- Advancing health equity
- Lowering out-of-pocket costs
- Reforming Medicare
- Expanding commercial insurance access
- Improving the healthcare system
Our advocacy approach
We take action to advocate for improved healthcare access and affordability through online campaigns and opportunities to tell patient-centered stories. With our partners and allies, we provide policy recommendations to key stakeholders—including federal agencies, Congress, and the administration.
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Advocate with us
Together, our voices have a larger, more meaningful impact. As patients, caregivers, family members, healthcare professionals, or individuals who are passionate about healthcare access for all, you can make a difference. Through our online campaigns, annual Advocacy Action Summit, and storytelling opportunities, you can join us in urging lawmakers to support patient-centered healthcare policies.
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Policy letters and testimony
Along with our partners and allies, the PAN Foundation makes impactful change by providing input on policy solutions to the healthcare affordability and access crisis. We share evidence-based policy recommendations with key stakeholders—including federal agencies, Congress, and the administration—to advocate for improved healthcare access and affordability.
Our patient-centered research
We conduct patient-centered research through surveys and polling on topics related to healthcare access and affordability, bringing to light the real challenges patients face today.
Center for Patient Research
The Center for Patient Research at the PAN Foundation provides insights into the diverse needs of patients as they navigate the healthcare system and challenges accessing affordable, equitable care. Through rigorous methodologies, our Center for Patient Research aims to understand the challenges faced by patients, translate these findings into actionable knowledge for key stakeholders and policymakers, and help inform policies that lead to accessible, affordable, and equitable healthcare for all.
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State of Patient Access Report
The PAN Foundation launched our flagship State of Patient Access initiative in 2024, revealing valuable insights into the challenges patients with chronic health conditions face with healthcare access, and their impact on different communities.
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The need for patient assistance programs
The PAN Foundation’s polling and analysis reinforce that even with historic Medicare Part D reforms, many patients will continue to struggle with their out-of-pocket prescription drug costs. This is especially true for patients who are low-income, belong to a historically marginalized group, or experience a chronic or rare disease. Read the full findings from our research and hear first-hand accounts from PAN patients.
National polling and surveys
We work with national polling partners and conduct our own surveys to gain insight into the challenges that patients face to identify needs for new programs and to guide policy solutions. Explore our national polling and survey work.
Our education initiatives
Educating patients, healthcare professionals, and advocates about key healthcare policies is a cornerstone of our work. This includes developing easy-to-understand guides and explainer videos, hosting webinars, and partnering with other organizations on topics such as Medicare Part D reforms, alternative funding programs (AFPs), and copay accumulators.
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Everything you need to know about Medicare reforms
The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act included six key Medicare Part D reforms that will take effect through 2025. To help patients and healthcare professionals better understand these reforms, we developed an educational resource page outlining everything from the insulin cost caps that went into effect in 2023 to the $2,000 annual cap on out-of-pocket prescription costs that begins in 2025.
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Protecting your access to medications
Commercial health insurers have adopted programs and policies—including copay accumulators, copay maximizers, and alternative funding programs—that limit access to medications and increase the out-of-pocket financial burden for patients living with life-threatening, chronic, and rare diseases. Our educational resource page helps patients and others learn about these harmful programs and how to take action.
Our partnerships
We work with leading patient advocacy and support groups to advocate for policy solutions that improve healthcare access, affordability, and equity. Explore our partnerships with like-minded coalitions and organizations. Learn about our alliance partners—national patient advocacy organizations committed to extending PAN’s services by helping patients and providers. Contact us to discuss how you can collaborate with PAN.
Stay connected with PAN
Sign up for email alerts from the PAN Foundation to learn how you can get involved with advocacy action campaigns.
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Advocate with us
Join the community of PAN advocates and take action for equitable healthcare access.
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