Hope Charities

Jonathan James

Honest conversations about bleeding disorders, rare diseases, and chronic illnesses.

  1. APR 7

    Healthcare in Crisis: The Truth About PBMs with Dr. Madelaine Feldman

    Dr. Mattie Feldman, rheumatologist and healthcare policy expert, exposes how Pharmacy Benefit Managers have evolved from administrative entities into powerful forces that control medication access, often prioritizing profits over patients. • Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) originally handled prescription coverage but now control what medications doctors can prescribe and patients can access • The "big three" PBMs—CVS Caremark, OptumRx, and Express Scripts—now control 80-85% of all prescriptions in the United States • PBMs often prefer higher-priced medications because they generate larger rebates, contributing to rising drug costs • Vertical integration has created conflicts of interest where the same companies own insurance plans, PBMs, specialty pharmacies, and sometimes even drug manufacturing • Utilization management tools like step therapy and prior authorizations have become barriers between doctors and patients • PBMs force patients to use mail-order specialty pharmacies that often provide inferior care compared to community specialty pharmacies • Legislators are working on bipartisan bills like "People Before Monopolies" that would require PBMs to divest from pharmacy ownership • Patient stories and advocacy are crucial for creating meaningful change in the healthcare system Share your pharmacy access or medication challenges with us by emailing info@hope-charities.org to help drive policy change. Support the show

    1h 9m
  2. 10/14/2024

    For women, the first line of defense may be with your OBGYN - Dr. Bivin Von Almen

    What if the key to saving countless women's lives is understanding their monthly cycles? Join us for an eye-opening conversation on the Hope Podcast with Dr. Bivin Von Almen, an esteemed obstetrician with over 30 years of experience. From his journey through the medical landscapes of Texas and Louisiana to his impactful work at Charity Hospital, Dr. Von Almen brings invaluable insights into the often misunderstood world of women with bleeding disorders. We unpack the stark reality of these conditions, like von Willebrands disease, which often go undiagnosed, leaving many women to suffer in silence. Imagine the anguish of undergoing unnecessary hysterectomies or enduring severe health issues simply because of a lack of awareness. Our conversation takes a deep dive into the barriers these women face, particularly in rural healthcare settings, and highlights the crucial role of family history in diagnosis. Dr. Von Almen passionately discusses the importance of education among obstetricians and the life-saving potential of pre-treatment with factor therapy. Stories of patient persistence and self-advocacy are powerful reminders of the need for informed and proactive healthcare management. Dr. Von Almen also shares his heartfelt reasons for joining Hope and his dedication to addressing the underappreciation and mistreatment of women, especially those facing racial disparities. We explore Hope's mission to empower patients with knowledge and advocate for better healthcare outcomes. By connecting with Hope and tapping into resources at hope-charities.org, you can join this vital movement and make a difference in your health journey. Don't miss this compelling episode that educates and inspires action and change. Support the show

    48 min
  3. 08/12/2024

    Dads helping daughters with hemophilia

    Ivan Giron helped advocate for his daughter Naomi to gain a diagnosis and ongoing treatment after learning more about women having a bleeding disorder. After Ivan realized that his daughter was having abnormal bleeding during her minstrel cycle each month, they started to educate themselves on how the genetic disorder could be passed down to his daughter, and while it looked different for her than it did for him, her need for treatment became more focused after further research. Ivan and Naomi have grown closer together as a family and are now on a mission to advocate for other women to challenge outdated clinical standards for women with bleeding disorders This episode was made possible by an unrestricted educational grant provided by Genentech.  Hope Charities is a national nonprofit focused on helping people living with rare and chronic illnesses thrive. Our programs specialize in helping people with genetic bleeding disorders and #hemophilia navigate the challenges of invisible disease by providing emotional, educational, and tangible support. To learn more about our programs visit our website www.hope-charities.org.  Audio versions of this podcast are available on Spotify, Apple, iHeart radio and anywhere you listen to podcasts. Subscribe to our podcast to listen to more inspiring interviews like this today.  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mHb8FnlHmOz0PBcv6kQ8p?si=hlBA_VPsTmaJTbOmkQyvNg Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-charities/id1613823273 iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-hope-charities-93979933/ #chronicillness #bleedingdisorders  #WomenBleedToo  #youarenotalone #hemophilia  #HemoGlo #advocate #healthcare Support the show

    1h 25m

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Honest conversations about bleeding disorders, rare diseases, and chronic illnesses.