Connie Farrow, executive director of the newly formed group, Patients Come First Missouri (PCF-MO), said that she became involved with the organization to advocate for patient-centered decision-making and ensure that Missouri residents have access to affordable healthcare.
“It’s critical that Missourians have access to affordable healthcare, and decisions about their care are guided by conversations with their doctors, not large insurers and other special interests,” Farrow told Show-Me State Times. “A steady, strong chorus of citizen voices coming together through grassroots organizations like Patients Come First is one of the most effective ways to stop policies that threaten to downgrade the quality of care our health system can deliver to patients who are sick and unable to advocate for themselves.”
“I’m honored to serve as Missouri Executive Director for Patients Come First because it perfectly unites my passion with my professional experience to help improve transparency and accountability for Missourians.”
Farrow previously worked as a reporter for The Associated Press in Kansas City from 1993 to 2005. She also worked as the communications director for Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures, and was a Reynolds Journalism Institute Fellow from 2012-2013.
“Most of my professional career has been dedicated to shining a light on onerous and ineffective public policies that affect access and quality of care for patients and consumers,” she said. “Early on, I shared the stories of people who needed help gaining access to medication and care as a working journalist.”
Farrow said she later moved into public relations and grassroots advocacy to help raise awareness about issues related to health care access and affordability.
Missouri was one of three states, including California and New Jersey, in which Patients Come First groups launched on March 18, reported Show-Me State Times.
The PCF-MO website says it will “strive to put patients at the forefront of healthcare” through “advocacy, science, education, and collaboration” on issues including prescription drug payments and discounts, co-pay assistance, government drug price negotiations, and the federal 340b drug discount program, among others.
“PCF will engage in building collaborations, improving partnerships, and advocating for a vibrant healthcare system that supports medical innovation and consumer-friendly policies that provide hope for Missourians who are sick,” said Farrow.
