New initiative prioritizes patients’ voices in developing strategies and outcomes
Washington, D.C. (February 2, 2026) – The Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP) today announced a funding award through the Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Award Program, an initiative of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), to bring patients and families to the forefront of chronic disease research, beginning with diabetes. The award is designed to expand ACHP’s community reach via its Chronic Disease Pledge. At its completion, patients, caregivers and community members will have a permanent seat at the table to shape patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER), inform care strategies and improve health outcomes.
“Patients know better than anyone what it takes to live with a chronic condition,” said Ceci Connolly, ACHP President and CEO. “Thanks to PCORI’s support, we can now engage individuals and families directly in the research process, design solutions that work in the real world and ultimately help more people stay healthy.”
A Patient Advisory Committee will guide ACHP’s work to help ensure that research reflects patients’ lived experiences. The initiative will also launch a Steering Committee comprised of regional, nonprofit health plan leaders to encourage participation and commitment. The 2-year initiative culminates in a roadmap health plans may use to implement their own patient-centered research programs. ACHP will also bring leaders together to build buy-in, spark collaboration with patients and deliver practical resources to promote meaningful engagement.
This funding award expands ACHP’s research-related portfolio in diabetes, heart disease and childhood obesity. PCORI’s support further highlights ACHP’s leadership in advancing chronic disease prevention and patient-centered, evidence-based innovations to improve population health.
For more information about this initiative and ACHP’s other research projects, visit https://achp.org/initiatives/research/.
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About ACHP
The Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP) represents the nation’s best local, nonprofit health plans, providing high-quality coverage to tens of millions of Americans in 40 states and D.C. ACHP is the only national organization advancing a unique partnership model of coverage and care that fosters a truly competitive market.
We believe Americans deserve the best health care in the world. Our members are on the ground in your communities, delivering innovative and competitive coverage. ACHP’s model brings together clinicians and health plans to deliver value for patients, employers and taxpayers.
