The California HealthCare Foundation is an independent philanthropy committed to improving the way health care is delivered and financed in California, and helping consumers make informed health care and coverage decisions. Formed in 1996, our goal is to ensure that all Californians have access to affordable, quality health care.

CHCF commissions research and analysis, publishes and disseminates information, convenes stakeholders, and funds development of programs and models aimed at improving the health care delivery and financing systems.

CHCF's goals and priorities are:

• To improve care for people with chronic diseases. Research shows that even though there are well developed, widely accepted methods for treating certain chronic illnesses, many patients are not getting care based on these medical guidelines. CHCF's Chronic Disease Care Program helps to resolve the issues that keep many Californians with chronic disease from receiving care based on the best available science and practice.

   

• To strengthen the capacity of hospitals, emergency providers, and nursing homes to serve the public. California's growing population needs a reliable, affordable, quality system of hospital, emergency, and nursing home care. CHCF's Hospitals and Nursing Homes Program is committed to helping these institutions improve the availability and quality of care and services in ways that address the broader interests of the public.

   

• To help health insurance better serve the public. Health insurance is a critical issue for all Californians. CHCF's Health Insurance Program works to increase access to insurance for those who don't have coverage and help the market work better for those who do.

   

• To improve California's public health care financing and policy. Decisions about public financing and policy affect California's most vulnerable populations, as well as most health care institutions and insurers. CHCF's Public Financing and Policy Program works to create solutions to problems in publicly funded health care and safety-net programs.

Over the years CHCF has developed particular skills and knowledge in three domains: health information technology, consumer information, and publishing and communications. These domains, which we call Areas of Strategic Emphasis, work across the Foundation, collaborating with the programs, to achieve our objectives.

Health Information Technology

looks for ways that information technology can help solve problems identified by our programs.

Consumer Information

creates strategies and tools to assist consumers in making informed decisions about the areas in which we work—chronic care, health insurance, hospitals, emergency rooms, and nursing homes.

Publishing and Communications

ensures that we effectively reach our target audiences with messages and products that are useful and meaningful to them.