Patients Rising Podcast rjohnson@riester.com (Patients Rising)

Lack of transportation is one of the biggest barriers to patient care. But when employers cover transportation for patients, it can lead to better health outcomes and lower overall costs. 
Casey Billington of Concierge Nurse Navigators explains why employers need to incorporate transportation into their health plan benefits so that patients can travel to doctor appointments or get an important second opinion.
And co-hosts Terry and Bob talk about the latest news from Washington, D.C., including the VA’s decision to cover a new Alzheimer’s treatment for veterans. Plus, a new bill in Congress, the HELP Copays Act, would prevent insurers from “double-dipping” into patient savings. Write to your representative to support this bill here!
Need help?
The successful patient is one who can get what they need when they need it. We all know insurance slows us down, so why not take matters into your own hands? Our Navigator is an online tool that allows you to search a massive network of health-related resources using your zip code so you get local results. Get proactive and become a more successful patient right now at the Patients Rising Helpline.
Have a question or comment about the show, or want to suggest a show topic or share your story as a patient correspondent?
Drop us a line: podcast@patientsrising.org
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the guest(s)/ author(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of Patients Rising, nor do the views and opinions stated on this show reflect the opinions of a guest’s current or previous employers. 

Vertical integration in the vision insurance market has led to higher costs and fewer options for patients. Two optometrists, Dr. Ron Benner and Dr. Bill Reynolds, explain how this impacts the price of your glasses, and how the DOC Access Act could fix this problem. 
And Terry and Bob break down a new poll that shows consumers support FDA regulation of repairs to medical devices. 
Links
WATCH: Stop Vision Benefit Manager Abuses
READ: Legislative Solutions to Overpriced Eyeglasses
Need help?
The successful patient is one who can get what they need when they need it. We all know insurance slows us down, so why not take matters into your own hands? Our Navigator is an online tool that allows you to search a massive network of health-related resources using your zip code so you get local results. Get proactive and become a more successful patient right now at the Patients Rising Helpline.
Have a question or comment about the show, or want to suggest a show topic or share your story as a patient correspondent?
Drop us a line: podcast@patientsrising.org
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the guest(s)/ author(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of Patients Rising, nor do the views and opinions stated on this show reflect the opinions of a guest’s current or previous employers.

The Patients Rising Podcast has moved to Monday mornings! 
In this episode, hear how Florida is poised to take on PBMs, the pharmaceutical middlemen, and how potential reforms would help patients access affordable medications. Jared Willis gives his updates from the Sunshine State. 
And a shortage of kidneys available for transplants has patient advocates sounding the alarm. Co-hosts Terry Wilcox and Bob Goldberg talk about the crisis facing patients with end-stage renal disease. Plus, a story of rare disease advocacy in the MLB. 
Need help?
The successful patient is one who can get what they need when they need it. We all know insurance slows us down, so why not take matters into your own hands? Our Navigator is an online tool that allows you to search a massive network of health-related resources using your zip code so you get local results. Get proactive and become a more successful patient right now at the Patients Rising Helpline.
Have a question or comment about the show, or want to suggest a show topic or share your story as a patient correspondent?
Drop us a line: podcast@patientsrising.org
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the guest(s)/ author(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of Patients Rising, nor do the views and opinions stated on this show reflect the opinions of a guest’s current or previous employers.

Ahead of Rare Disease Day, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) joins the podcast to discuss new legislation that would ban the use of a discriminatory health care metric, quality adjusted life year, or QALY. 
Learn how the QALY hurts treatment access for patients with rare diseases and disabilities, and how a government ban on QALYs would create more equitable access to care. 
Plus, hear from Jean Baker, who shares her challenges getting coverage for her husband’s rare form of cancer, anaplastic thyroid cancer. And our patient correspondents from the rare disease community talk about the health care issues that impact them. 
This is also our last Friday episode of the Patients Rising Podcast! You’ll be able to catch the Patients Rising Podcast on Mondays, starting March 6th, in a brand new format. 
Hosts: 
Terry Wilcox, CEO, Patients Rising
Dr. Robert Goldberg, “Dr. Bob,” Co-Founder and Vice President of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest
Guests:
Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Chair, House Energy and Commerce Committee
Jean Baker, Rare Disease Caregiver and Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Advocate
Maggie Senese, Patient Correspondent
Kaitlyn Trevathan, Patient Correspondent
Tomisa Starr, Patient Correspondent
Avery Roberts and Kelly Berger, Patient Correspondent
Links: 
Chairs Rodgers, Smith, and Reps. Burgess, Wenstrup Introduce Legislation to Ban QALYs
Contact your Representative and Urge Them to Ban the QALY
Rare Disease Day February 28, 2023 
Health Technology Assessment Best Practices for Rare Disease Drugs
Need help?
The successful patient is one who can get what they need when they need it. We all know insurance slows us down, so why not take matters into your own hands? Our Navigator is an online tool that allows you to search a massive network of health-related resources using your zip code so you get local results. Get proactive and become a more successful patient right now at PatientsRisingConcierge.org
Have a question or comment about the show, or want to suggest a show topic or share your story as a patient correspondent?
Drop us a line: podcast@patientsrising.org
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the guest(s)/ author(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of Patients Rising, nor do the views and opinions stated on this show reflect the opinions of a guest’s current or previous employers.

Current barriers to clinical trial access make it difficult for patients from underserved communities to access cutting edge care. Those barriers include restrictive eligibility criteria, which can lead to an underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities in clinical trials. 
Lucile Adams-Campbell, Ph.D., breaks down those barriers and outlines solutions to improve diversity in clinical trials and to ensure that participants receive continued care post-trial. Plus, hear from Sandra Washington, a board-certified patient advocate who shares why she fights for health equity and advocates on behalf of all patients. 
Hosts: 
Terry Wilcox, CEO, Patients Rising
Dr. Robert Goldberg, “Dr. Bob,” Co-Founder and Vice President of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest
Guests:
Lucile Adams-Campbell, PhD,
Sandra Washington, Managing Owner, Medi-Helpz LLC
Chi Chi Nnoli, Patient Correspondent
Links: 
Layoffs and Shutdowns Hit Biotech Industry in U-Turn
Personal Health Journal and Planner 
Sandra Washington’s Black History Month Series
Need help?
The successful patient is one who can get what they need when they need it. We all know insurance slows us down, so why not take matters into your own hands? Our Navigator is an online tool that allows you to search a massive network of health-related resources using your zip code so you get local results. Get proactive and become a more successful patient right now at PatientsRisingConcierge.org
Have a question or comment about the show, or want to suggest a show topic or share your story as a patient correspondent?
Drop us a line: podcast@patientsrising.org
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the guest(s)/ author(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of Patients Rising, nor do the views and opinions stated on this show reflect the opinions of a guest’s current or previous employers. 

Stephen Kay took a job 10 hours away from his wife. Why? Because he needed insurance that would cover the costs of her multiple sclerosis care. While she had Medicare before turning 65, she was unable to purchase a supplemental plan, or Medigap plan, to cover her major costs. 
This is a reality facing numerous patients who live with disabilities, including ALS and End-Stage Renal Disease. Melanie Lendnal of the ALS Association explains that while patients with disabilities can receive Medicare before the age of 65, they often can’t access the supplemental plans they need. Learn about how legislation at the state and federal levels could close this gap for patients. 
Hosts: 
Terry Wilcox, CEO, Patients Rising
Dr. Robert Goldberg, “Dr. Bob,” Co-Founder and Vice President of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest
Guests:
Melanie Lendnal, Senior Vice President of Advocacy, ALS Association
Stephen Kay
Katie Coughlin, Patient Correspondent 
Links: 
North Platte couple urges state to close gap in Medicare coverage for disabled
Medicare Information | ALS Association
Need help?
The successful patient is one who can get what they need when they need it. We all know insurance slows us down, so why not take matters into your own hands? Our Navigator is an online tool that allows you to search a massive network of health-related resources using your zip code so you get local results. Get proactive and become a more successful patient right now at PatientsRisingConcierge.org
Have a question or comment about the show, or want to suggest a show topic or share your story as a patient correspondent?
Drop us a line: podcast@patientsrising.org
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the guest(s)/ author(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of Patients Rising, nor do the views and opinions stated on this show reflect the opinions of a guest’s current or previous employers.