It’s our annual Turkey Day Talking Points episode! Our hosts discuss their favorite Thanksgiving foods and what they are especially grateful for. For this year’s Thanksgiving table conversation, our hosts are focused on copay assistance, accumulators and maximizers. They break down how to start a conversation about your advocacy efforts, and the topline points of what you and your friends and family need to know about these assistance programs and insurance practices.

Among the highlights in this episode:

00:36: Our hosts share their Thanksgiving plans and favorite foods

01:05: Zoe Rothblatt, Associate Director of Community Outreach at GHLF, reflects on the recent American College of Rheumatology conference, expressing gratitude for the sense of community and the opportunity to meet advocates and professionals in person

03:09: Zoe discusses the value of having meaningful conversations about health care advocacy at family gatherings, like Thanksgiving

03:52: Steven Newmark, Director of Policy at GHLF, elaborates on the importance of personal storytelling in advocacy, leading into a detailed discussion about copay assistance and its role in health care

05:18: Zoe explains the complications introduced by copay accumulator adjusters and maximizers, highlighting their impact on patients' financial responsibilities

06:30: Steven discusses the legislative progress made in protecting patient assistance programs, mentioning the role of state and federal advocacy in these developments

07:13: Zoe addresses the counterarguments from insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers regarding copay laws, emphasizing the importance of supporting patient stories with data to strengthen advocacy efforts

08:32: Steven concludes the discussion by encouraging listeners to engage in advocacy and share their experiences with copay assistance, highlighting the practical impact of such initiatives

Contact Our Hosts

Steven Newmark, Director of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

Zoe Rothblatt, Associate Director, Community Outreach at GHLF: zrothblatt@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

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