Corrie Edwards: Executive Director Kansas Health Consumer Coalition
Corrie Edwards
BIO: Corrie Edwards was born Feb. 2, 1968. She is a Wichita native. Edwards attended Friends University where she received degrees in psychology and human services. She got her masters degree in public administration from Wichita State University.
Edwards has been the executive director of the Kansas Health Consumer Coalition since December 2006. According to Edwards, KHCC is focused on three primary objectives. The organization is interested in “putting a face on health care issues in the state, connecting legislators with constituents, and systemic policy change.”
“I really focus the organization on legislative work,” Edwards said, “Working with legislators, working with constituents, and policy issues.”
Before joining KHCC, Edwards served four years as director of programs at Keys for Networking, Inc., a statewide nonprofit organization that advocates on behalf of parents whose children have serious educational and behavioral problems.
Prior to Keys for Networking, Edwards spent seven years at OMNI Behavioral Health in Nebraska. During that time, she created and oversaw community-based services aimed at keeping children out of the state hospitals.
“It was a really, really hard job,” Edwards said. “That’s the job that got me interested in policy change. The neediest people need the loudest and largest voice. That’s why I’m here.”
Advocating for health reform has been familiar to Edwards since she was a child.
“My mom was a national (health) advocate,” Edwards said. “She started the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health.”
Edwards is married to David Pore, who is a small business owner.
RESPONSIBILITIES: “We are responsible for obtaining consumer and organizational members who believe in our mission, testifying on bills, and bringing in consumers to testify,” Edwards said.
She also puts together up-to-date information about health issues.
“We develop educational information, including an easier to understand HealthWave brochure,” Edwards said.
INTERCONNECTS: Edwards is a member of two Kansas Health Policy Authority advisory groups, the Consumer Advisory Council and the Medical Care Advisory Committee. She is also a member of the Herndon Alliance and was appointed to their small business work group, which is concerned with the well-being of small businesses and strives to get them involved in reform efforts.
CONTACT: Telephone: 785-232-9997
Email: corrie@kshealthconsumer.org
Address: 534 S. Kansas Ave, Suite 1220
Topeka, KS 66603
Sources: Corrie Edwards, Kansas Health Consumer Coalition