National Health Council Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To provide a united voice for people with chronic diseases and disabilities.
- Income
- $6.3 million
- Spending
- $7.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- 1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
- Employees
- 24
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $555,050, chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 45 out of 100.
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 66% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 21 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $2.9 million spent. Special Projects: Authored, provided leadership, research, analysis, advocacy, and support on various projects: The NHC developed tools, resources, and partnerships to support NHC members, the patient community, and stakeholders in creating a patient-centered health care system. Promoted patient-centered research, value assessment, and evidence generation through peer-reviewed publications, co-authored publications, and published studies on unmet needs and patient experiences. Co-authored several studies including U.S. Food Allergy Patients Experiences, Priorities, and Needs Qualitative Study, which applied the NHCs Patient Experience Mapping Toolbox to examine the experiences of more than 80 patients with food allergies. Expanded access to trusted health information on chronic disease prevention and management through a new video series. This Trusted Messenger campaign showcased grassroots leaders and community advocates discussing issues related to access, prevention, and management of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. It reached over 21 million people across the United States. Engaged in more than 30 speaking engagements at leading health and research conferences across the U.S. and internationally.
- $1.6 million spent. Member Services: With an expanded member base, the NHC strengthen its role by providing leadership, information, and support to members through policy and advocacy initiatives, legislative/regulatory activities, engagement with health agencies, amplifying patient voices, and technical support through various projects. In 2025, this work included: Expanded member collaboration via NHC Connect, a members-only online platform. Three new communities launched to enhance collaboration and resource-sharing among NHC members, focusing on health equity, research, and patient engagement. The NHC has continued to create several avenues for guiding artificial intelligence (AI) technology use in health care. In 2025, the NHC advanced its patient partnership in health AI and technology by launching the Patient Experience Innovation Center (PXI). PXI provides a new resource to support patient-informed, business-centric health AI development and use. The NHC promoted health equity through the new Connect community, newsletters, and hosting Health Equity Affinity Group meetings and quarterly lunch-and-learns to share work from NHC partner organizations. The NHC advanced health equity through listening sessions, promoting patient-centered research, value assessment, and evidence generation, publishing studies on unmet needs and patient experiences, and supporting chronic disease prevention messaging reaching millions. Expanded the NHCs reach through social media, publications, congressional briefings, and targeted campaigns such as the Trusted Messenger campaign elevating patient stories. Efforts focused on expanding access, affordability, and patient engagement in health policy; advocated on federal issues including drug pricing, AI, Medicaid, and research funding. Provided technical support through member projects, including the Patient Organization (PO) Standards of Excellence Certification program, Washington Representatives Retreat, and the Washington Reps Summer Meeting, Affinity Group educational webinars and meetings, Annual Revenue and Compensation surveys, and monthly policy action teams. In addition, the NHC staff participated in panels, task forces, advisory committees, and presentations in collaboration with governmental, business/industry, and other health care sector organizations.
- $1.1 million spent. Conference: In 2025, the National Health Council (NHC) reinforced its role as a leading convener for patient-centered health care, using meetings, briefings, roundtables, symposiums, online communities, and external presentations to connect patient organizations, policymakers, industry leaders, and other stakeholders around shared priorities. The NHC held its annual 2-day Health Leadership Conference in Fort Lauderdale, FL, bringing together over 160 CEOs, senior staff, and Board volunteers from NHC member organizations. The NHC hosted its 8th Annual Science of Patient Engagement Symposium at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. With a record turnout of over 170, the Symposium brought together leaders from patient organizations, nonprofits, industry, academia, and government to discuss how patients, families, and caregivers can help create a more practical, inclusive, and innovative health care system. The NHC hosted its 3rd Washington Representative Summer Meeting in June, bringing together over 100 policy and government relations professionals to discuss health care legislative priorities. The Summer Meeting was followed by the Annual Washington Representative Retreat held in Annapolis, MD, in November, with a record attendance of more than 140 policy and government relations professionals from NHC member organizations who came together to hear from policy and regulatory experts, share organizational challenges and successes, navigate the evolving health policy landscape, network with peers, and set policy priorities for the coming year. The NHC concluded the year with its Annual Membership Meeting and Luncheon, attended by more than 160 representatives from NHC member organizations, to reflect on 2025 challenges and celebrate the organizations and patient communitys accomplishments.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1938.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.