CHLPI and Health Leaders Gather to Improve Lung Cancer Policies in West Virginia - Harvard Law School

Via Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation

By: Stephanie Kwan

CHLPI and Health Leaders Gather to Improve Lung Cancer Policies in West Virginia

Lung cancer kills more West Virginians than breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers combined. On November 1st-2nd, 2018, CHLPI joined hundreds of health and policy leaders at the Second Annual Lung Cancer Conference: Catalyzing Change to Address Lung Cancer. Hosted by West Virginia University Cancer Institute, the Mountains of Hope Cancer Coalition, and the Patient Advocate Foundation, the conference saw more than 200 health and policy leaders gather at the WVU Erickson Alumni Center in Morgantown, WV to address lung cancer policy changes.

The conference was designed to raise awareness about the impact of lung cancer across West Virginia and to identify avenues to improve lung cancer screening, early detection, treatment, and survivorship. The two-day program engaged healthcare providers, community-based health workers, public health educators, advocates, and policy makers in implementing changes both in their local communities and on a statewide level.

Current policies and lung cancer in West Virginia

Sarah Downer, CHLPI’s Associate Director for Whole Person Care and Clinical Instructor on Law in the Health Care and Policy Clinic, along with second-year clinic student Stephanie Kwan, welcomed conference attendees with an overview of healthcare policy-making. The overview discussed policy formation and how advocates could work with various entities to effect change. “Even though systemic changes take a long time, keep your eyes on the long term prize and don’t stop telling local policy makers your stories, because your work in West Virginia matters and is shaping national healthcare conversations”, said Sarah.

Graphic documentation of CHILPI’s presentation on “Overview of Healthcare Policy-making”, illustrated by Nora Herting.

West Virginia Delegate Amy Summers, Vice-Chairman of Health and Human Resources Committee of WV House, who not only is a nurse but also has a long family history of cancer, reminded attendees to get to know their legislators. Doing so will allow advocates to understand the expertise, priorities, and passions of their representatives, which will help advocates tailor their policy goals and approaches.

Attendees also heard from West Virginian experts; Dr. Christopher Plein, Professor at the Department of Public Administration at West Virginia University, highlighted the historical roots of many contemporary healthcare issues, while Dr. John Deskins, Director at the Bureau of Business & Economic Research at WVU College of Business and Economics, discussed the economic costs of lung cancer in West Virginia.

Graphic documentation of the expert policy panel that comprised of CHILPI’s Sarah Downer, Christopher Plein, and John Deskins, illustrated by Nora Herting.

Dr. Camara Jones, Senior Fellow at Morehouse School of Medicine and a Past President of the American Public Health Association, addressed the crowd on social determinants of health, including poverty, racism, and institutional disparities that are often ignored by today’s healthcare system.

Healthcare practitioners driving change in the lung cancer space

Following the presentations, conference attendees participated in an interactive policy planning session, identifying local advocacy goals such as rescinding no-smoking ban, establishing primary care partnerships, and engaging insurers to pay for screening. Attendees also examined specific programs that effect lung cancer in West Virginia, including Medicare and Medicaid, lung cancer treatment case studies, opioid Rx regulations, as well as immunotherapy and the use of robotics in surgeries.

Another highlight of the conference was the Shine A Light on Lung Cancer evening reception, where speakers and attendees came together to honor lung cancer survivors, family members, caregivers, and those who have passed.

The two-day event was a highly successful initiative that brought together policy leaders and healthcare practitioners to learn, plan, and act. The conference equipped attendees to be advocates in their respective professions and communities. It was an eye-opening experience for clinic student Stephanie to speak to experienced practitioners and to witness how practitioners could work on policy goals that make a difference in the lives of people they serve.