U.S.A.

1. Health Care Coverage for the Uninsured Project (HCCU) (2007)

   The 2007 external evaluation of the HCCU Consensus Building Process, aimed to assess outcomes and to identify lessons learned that could contribute to improving the application of consensus building as a tool to develop more effective and broadly supportable public policy. Key findings include:

   • On the process: 84.5% participants to the process were satisfied with their level of input on ground rules and 74% were satisfied with their input on objectives. 6 out of 10 felt that the membership was sufficiently inclusive to meet objectives.
   • On the policy implications: The majority of stakeholders were generally satisfied with the agreement. 64% of the survey respondents indicated they were satisfied with the agreement reached. 8 out of 10 felt the agreement was politically realistic or somewhat politically realistic.
   • On relationships: 94% of participants gained new contacts as a result of their participation in the HCCU process whereas 5 out of 10 survey respondents stated that the consensus building process enabled them to form new partnerships.
   • On institutional effects: One third of those interviewed believed that the HCCU process would lead to significant changes in the way they approach work.
   • On the quality of facilitation: Almost 8 out of 10 stakeholders were satisfied or somewhat satisfied with the quality of the facilitation process. 83% said the team was equally receptive or somewhat equally receptive to all perspectives.

   Download U.S.A. 2007 Key Findings Document

2. Evaluation of a Concensus-Building Process: The Working Group on Human Needs and Faith-based and Community Initiatives (2002)

   An external evaluation by Daniel Bowling (PeaceBridge Communications) of the consensus building process with participants drawn from organizations representing views across the spectrum on the White House Faith-Based Initiative. Key findings include:

   • The report of the concensus working group unanimously agreed upon 29 recommendations to improve the ability of faith and community-based organization to address unmet human needs in the US
   • Moving to agreement is a delicate timing issue and could be improved upon in the next concensus process
   • Participants reported gaining a deeper and broader understanding of the issues involved in this Initiative

   Download U.S.A. 2002 Evaluation