By John “CZ” Czwartacki, Executive Director of the Informed Patients Project
Americans deserve the ability to make informed decisions about their health, free from unnecessary barriers and opaque systems. The Informed Patients Project was created to protect and enhance patient rights, promote transparency, and ensure every American can be an active, empowered participant in their own healthcare. We support policies and solutions that prioritize the free flow of information about food, medicine, and science and empower individuals to make the best health decisions for themselves and their families. From the food we eat to the treatments we pursue, information is power—and without it, patients are left at a disadvantage.
Why Access to Information Matters
Informed patients are empowered patients. When Americans have complete, transparent health information, they:
- Engage in more meaningful conversations with their healthcare providers
- Make better decisions tailored to their individual needs and conditions
- Advocate effectively for treatments and approaches that work best for them
- Navigate complex health systems confidently rather than with confusion
We believe decision-making power belongs with patients and their doctors, and not with bureaucrats, corporations, or tech platforms that control information.
Our Five Focus Areas
Protecting The Free Flow of Health Information
Patients deserve to know all their treatment options, especially for complex or chronic conditions. We oppose efforts to restrict pharmaceutical advertising that educates patients. Transparency and knowledge, not censorship, empower patients to explore all options with their physicians while preserving a competitive and innovative healthcare marketplace.
Protecting American Families from Hidden Dangers in Our Food
Confusing labels and complex ingredient lists make it difficult for families to make informed nutritional choices. We advocate for clear, honest labeling that shows exactly what is in food and beverages. Transparency ensures that healthy options are not only visible but also accessible, giving families the information they need to protect their health.
Empowering Patients With the Right To Try
For patients facing life-threatening conditions, timely access to new treatments and therapies can mean the difference between life and death. Right to Try laws allow patients, in consultation with their providers, to access promising investigational treatments without waiting for full FDA approval. These policies create an important pathway to care for Americans who cannot participate in clinical trials. We are committed to expanding these protections because patients deserve autonomy over their treatment options.
Protecting Free Expression in the Digital Town Square
Social media is a primary way Americans access health information, learn about treatment options, and exchange ideas about care. Yet large tech companies exercise extraordinary control over online speech through opaque rules and inconsistent enforcement. We support policies that promote transparency, prevent viewpoint-based discrimination, and preserve open dialogue.
Telehealth & Responsible AI
Telehealth has revolutionized access to care, particularly for rural communities and working families. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes integrated into virtual care, we must ensure these innovations strengthen, not replace, the patient-provider relationship. Telehealth and AI should empower providers to deliver faster, more personalized care while always prioritizing patient health over the interests of insurers and pharmacy benefit managers.
The future of American healthcare depends on patients remaining informed, engaged, and empowered participants in their own care. By protecting access to information and transparency, we can ensure Americans have the tools and choices they need to make the best health decisions for themselves and their families.
