“Nothing about us, without us.”

This powerful mantra captures the essence of strong partnerships in policymaking. For individuals battling chronic and life-threatening illnesses—many of whom are racing against time to find the right treatment—policies and regulations that reflect their lived experiences can be the difference between life and death.

While it seems like a common-sense practice to include the voices of patients and providers in health care policymaking, their perspectives have historically been overlooked. This exclusion has shaped a health care system that requires strategic inclusion of the right voices at the right time when policymaking is taking place at local, state, and national levels.

At Reservoir, we believe that health care policy should be a broadly collaborative effort.

While regulatory and policy decision-makers set the framework for health care, advocates add the color that brings it to life. Working toward a more effective health care system requires true partnership between all stakeholders—patients, providers, caregivers, and the policymakers who represent us.

With an ever-evolving health policy landscape, it’s more crucial than ever to stay focused on best practices for impact:

• Combine deep policy expertise with the real-life insights. Health policy knowledge provides the framework for understanding system-wide challenges, combined with the perspectives of those directly impacted (i.e., patients experiencing care firsthand and providers navigating the complexity of treatment), are what leads to smart, practical policy. Bringing both to bear bridges the gap between theory and practice and provides a compelling foundation for advocacy.

• Tap stakeholders key to driving change. The trust that patient, provider and other third-party organizations have built within their communities—along with their deep understanding of the health care system—makes them invaluable partners in driving meaningful, positive public policy. Identifying champions and building a network of engaged, committed stakeholders is the key to advancing a patient-centered health care system.

• Elevate these trusted voices to the forefront of conversations. In a world where policies and public sentiment are constantly shifting, it’s easy to lose focus. Elevating advocate voices across media with a timely, ongoing and relevant message is a powerful tool for advancing policy. Engaging across media enables advocates to shape narratives, amplify critical issues, and build public support. Media is not just a channel for communication; it’s a strategic asset that ensures policy agendas remain relevant, timely, and influential in shaping the future.

With this approach, we can ensure that policy reflects the needs of those it aims to serve.