Be A Hero is a U.S.-based progressive health justice organization founded in 2018 to organize people harmed by the health care system and to push for systemic reform. Founded by Ady Barkan and Liz Jaff and now led by Jamila Headley, the group runs advocacy campaigns, storytelling and advertising, grassroots mobilization, and electoral activity to advance the view that health care is a human right.
Health care access and affordability (including Medicare protections and expansion), home and community-based services for seniors and people with disabilities, prescription drug affordability, regulation/oversight of private insurers and Medicare Advantage, and progressive electoral advocacy tied to health policy goals.
Primarily individual donations and small-dollar grassroots fundraising supplemented by contributions routed through its PAC and by support from progressive labor and health-sector organizations and allied donors.
Founders and leaders associated with the group include Ady Barkan, Liz Jaff, and Jamila Headley; organizational partners and funders have included progressive nursing and health-worker unions and Democratic-aligned digital fundraising platforms (e.g., ActBlue).
Multi-entity advocacy network: includes a nonprofit education/advocacy arm (501(c)(3)/501(c)(4) activity) and an affiliated political committee (Be A Hero PAC).
