National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants (NAHAC) Launched

Focus Is On Consumer Protection; Promotion Of Growing Professional Field

BERKELEY, Calif., July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of
Healthcare Advocacy Consultants (NAHAC), the nation's first professional
association for people working as healthcare and patient advocates, was
launched today in response to the need for a professional forum to create
healthcare consumer protection standards and promote this rapidly growing
field. The announcement was made by Association founder Joanna Smith, LCSW,
MPH, CEO of Healthcare Liaison, Inc., a private healthcare advocacy practice.

"As healthcare becomes increasingly complex, more individuals are entering the
field to assist consumers who have problems navigating the healthcare maze,"
says Smith. "There is a real need now to establish professional standards, and
to make the public aware of services provided by members of the profession."

According to Smith, the Association recognizes that there are currently people
with many types of experience and training who assist individuals with
healthcare issues. These include medically trained healthcare advocates,
patient advocates in non-profits; individuals who have learned "on the job"
helping a friend or family member as a patient advocate; researchers and
educators, and advocates working in the fields of public policy and
legislation.

"Each of these groups brings a unique contribution, specialization or focus to
this growing field, and each is critical to the development of the
profession," affirms Smith. "NAHAC embraces this multiplicity of approaches,
recognizing that, in the end, the public will have a wide choice of services
and advocates, and this diversity of approaches enhances the profession."

NAHAC is based in Berkeley, California. Membership is open to those who are
interested in the field of healthcare advocacy, including medical
professionals, consumer advocates, people in academia and research and people
involved in policy and legislative efforts.

To join, or learn more about NAHAC visit: http://www.nahac.com/

SOURCE National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants

Joanna Smith, CEO, Healthcare Liaison, Inc., +1-510-704-8476,
Joanna@healthcareliaison.com