Access to quality health care is something we all want. We all benefit from medical progress, innovative care and new technologies that help people live healthier lives. When people are healthy, families, communities and societies thrive. And while we know our health care system has real strengths, we also know it can be stronger — because right now, not everyone is getting the care they need.  

We believe progress comes from working together. Bringing partners together helps build coalitions that identify barriers, foster alignment and co-create sustainable solutions that improve access and advance health for all.  

Here’s how we recommend approaching partnerships: 

• Listen Actively and Broadly. 
  True progress begins with active listening. No single voice carries the full story of what drives better health. We partner with patients, providers, researchers, employers, health plans and community leaders to strengthen what’s working and improve what’s not. While their roles within the health care system may differ, each brings unique perspectives, priorities and strengths that uniquely contribute to building a system that works better for more people. Listening makes space for ideas to connect, for gaps to be seen and for new solutions to take root. It honors the reality that better care starts with better understanding. 

• Strengthen Capacity. 
  The people and organizations working closest to communities hold deep insight into what drives health, how to remove barriers and who to engage with to advance shared goals. Their knowledge, experiences and relationships are essential to improving care and building trust.  

But that grit alone isn’t enough. Many health leaders are navigating limited bandwidth, stretched resources and growing expectations. A great partner recognizes this and can help strength capacity to sustain momentum, refine and enhance strategies, and provide support and connection to a broader community.  

• Build for Sustainable Support. Engagement should never be transactional. Short-term resource funding, shifting priorities and fragmented initiatives can erode trust and slow progress, especially for those working hardest to close gaps in care. 

Long-term progress depends on shared investment and lasting infrastructure. It is best to align strategy across teams and bridge cycles of funding so that on-the-ground daily action can continue. When partners know they can count on one another, they can do more for the communities they serve. 

• Operate with Candor. 
  Meaningful progress happens through shared effort and mutual respect. Aligning around common goals, ensuring that every voice has a role in shaping the path forward and sharing accountability for the outcomes are critical to maximize success. That means staying aligned on priorities, being transparent about what’s working and what needs to shift and consistently showing up over time. 

Every partner brings insight, expertise and commitment. An agency partner, in particular, can build trust, support and collaboration and make sure the work reflects the values of everyone at the table. 

Together Makes Progress Possible 

We all want a health care system that helps people live healthier, fuller lives. Building that system requires deep collaboration, sustained commitment and respect for the people doing the work every day. When we align shared goals and act with purpose, we can create a system where more people get the chance to thrive.