Alabama physician Dr. Madeline Eckenrode gives an insider's view of the suffering caused by the state's failure to expand Medicaid. Hear harrowing stories of patients with diabetes, substance use disorders and other chronic conditions who can't afford care. Learn how Medicaid expansion would lower costs and save lives. Most importantly, get inspired to join the fight for healthcare justice in your community!
Resources and Organizations Mentioned in Interview
Advocacy Organizations
Alabama Arise
Organization that does advocacy around issues affecting Alabamians, including Medicaid expansionEncourages Dr. Eckenrode to write her article about young adults losing Medicaid coverageProvides information about legislation and opportunities for civic engagementHelps people know when to lobby, who to contact, and when to show up at the state houseAlabama Appleseed
Advocacy organization that works on criminal justice reform and other issues in AlabamaSuccessfully advocated to end the practice of jail managers pocketing leftover food budget moneyWorks on issues with broad, cross-partisan appealMedia and Publications
AL.com
Website where Dr. Eckenrode published her article about Medicaid expansionMain news source for AlabamaProPublica
Published an article about United Healthcare using algorithms to determine if people were using "too much" mental health care and denying claimsHealthcare Organizations & Programs
UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham)
UAB MedicineWhere Dr. Eckenrode practices and did her residencyHome of the STEP Clinic for young adults with complex medical conditionsThe STEP Clinic at UAB
Specializes in treating young adults with complex medical conditions from childhoodTreats conditions like cerebral palsy, spina bifida, organ transplants, lupus, etc.Equal Access Birmingham
Student-run free health clinic affiliated with UABProvides care for uninsured patients with conditions like high blood pressure and diabetesCannot provide cancer screening or comprehensive servicesPATH Clinic
UAB clinic for uninsured patients with poorly controlled diabetesProvides free medicationsREACT (Resource for Addiction and Community Treatment)
UAB assertive community treatment teamWorks with severe cases of psychotic mental illnessCooper Green
Healthcare facility funded by Jefferson County taxpayersProvides services to uninsured individuals in Jefferson County Insurance Programs
Medicaid
Government insurance for low-income and disabled peopleIn Alabama, primarily serves disabled adults and childrenPediatric Medicaid coverage ends at age 19 in AlabamaAlabama has not expanded Medicaid unlike many other statesHas "pretty good prescription drug coverage" according to Dr. EckenrodeMedicare
Government insurance primarily for people over 65Some people who are disabled can qualify before age 65People on dialysis automatically qualify for MedicareBlue Cross Blue Shield
Private insurance company mentioned throughout the interviewVarious plans (state employee, federal, employer-specific)United Healthcare
Private insurance company mentioned as "the enemy" by Dr. EckenrodeLargest employer of doctors in the countryUses algorithms to identify and deny claims for "excessive" mental health care usage in some statesRecent Policy Developments
Medicaid Postpartum Expansion
Extended postpartum care through Medicaid from 6 weeks to 12 monthsNew Medicaid Enrollment for Pregnant Women
Legislation to make it easier for pregnant women to enroll in Medicaid in first 60 daysPhysical Therapy Direct Access Law
Recent Alabama law allowing patients to see physical therapists without a doctor's referralSome insurers still requiring referrals despite the lawStates Mentioned as Medicaid Expansion Success Stories
North CarolinaArkansasPennsylvania (mentioned as having no tax on groceries or essential items)Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode are not neccesarily the views held by taproot therapy collective.
#MedicaidExpansion #AlabamaHealthcare #UninsuredPatients #ChronicIllness #MentalHealthAccess #SubstanceAbuseTreatment #PatientAdvocacy #HealthcareActivism #HealthcareCosts #HealthEquity #TaprootTherapyCollective #DrMadelineEckenrode