
"Advocacy to me is empowering. I know that by finding the right words to share my story I have the potential to impact change in big ways." — Charis HillHill has even continued her advocacy despite a recent family crisis – and challenges in health insurance coverage on top of that. Hill had health insurance through Blue Shield of California until mid-2016, when she was switched over to Medi-Cal, the state’s version of Medicaid. Due to her complicated health situation, she was able to get a waiver so she could continue seeing her rheumatologist, primary care physician and gynecologist. However, she then found out that the charitable financial assistance she relied on for some care would no longer be available because of the Medicaid program, threatening her ability to keep seeing her psychiatrist. On top of that, she found that Medi-Cal was refusing to cover Remicade infusions she needs to slow progression of her disease. The lack of continuity in care is a major problem for anyone, especially someone with a chronic condition, or multiple chronic conditions that are complex and challenging to treat. Patients must also have access to the appropriate treatment prescribed by doctors – in Hill’s case, Remicade infusions. She wants to call attention to issues like this until there are local, state and national solutions ensuring patients have access to the health care they need. “I intend to call attention to this issue until stakeholders are able to work together to adequately address these and other barriers to care,” Hill wrote in a letter she recently sent to the Department of Health and Human Services. “Let us continue to make strides to improve access to and continuity of care through Medi-Cal for all who need it.” To follow Charis Hill, check out her blog at https://beingcharis.com.