This is one of the articles I quoted in the #HuffPost piece about Natalie’s struggle to get #Cigna to cover her surgery. #ProPublica does excellent reporting on the #insurance industry and #healthcare, and can always use your support!

Back to discuss this now that Natalie is recovering well from #CCI #surgery. First topic: What our #insurance should have covered. Or, answering the “why didn’t you just have better #healthinsurance?” (Hot tip: Don’t ask a #parent fighting for their kid that question.) #hEDS #MD

Some good news! Natalie had her surgery! She’s home now and doing so well. She’s in her hard collar a couple more months, and has about a year of rehab to go, but omg, she can think again. And eat. And stand up. It’s a whole new world for her already. Thank you so much for all the support. 🩷

When even the #Hallmark channel is pointing out how damaging the #healthinsurance industry is, maybe it’s time to reconsider the business model. #UHC #CEO #healthcare #HappyHowlidays #FindingMrChristmas

Time to talk about #BrianaBoston. My perspective is obvs shaped by our fight to get Natalie care. Why can #healhinsurance companies deny and delay care - often causing harm - while corporate America and Congress just shrug? 🤷‍♀️ “Nothing we can do!” #BCBS #Cigna www.huffpost.com/entry/brain-...

You know what Cigna told me when they (finally) approved her surgery? They “were just trying to protect Natalie.” From what? School? Friends? Being alive? Killing people is always wrong. Even when you do it with paperwork and a smile.

B/c of course they are.

Seems like I wasn’t the only one looking for this kind of info. (And I think 13 hours a week is low, tbh. Same wirh the 24% delay.)

Natalie’s surgery is approved!!! We are excited but exhausted. It shouldn’t take a parent who can write and a kid (young woman) who is willing to share her medical history with the world just to access care. And also, HER SURGERY IS APPROVED!! 🩷 Thank you so much for the support!

Tried to find this info for the article about Natalie. Closest I found a was survey that discovered about half of people get worse w/delayed care Also, @ProPublica.bsky.social does excellent reporting about health insurance companies. Recommend a follow and donation if you can swing it.

Hey for no reason at all, just want to point out that “kids” stop being allowed to be on a parent’s plan at 26. (Until the next admin takes their shot at overturning the #ACA / #Obamacare, then who knows b/c concepts of a plan and all.) #healthcare #healthinsurance #UHC #CEO

Guess they haven’t learned yet. insurance is not an indispensable part of health care, executives are certainly not pillars of leadership or whatever the fuck that line was. And glad it doesn’t include anything about *employee* safety. Or care. JFC.

Good morning everyone! I’m having a tiny bit of trouble keeping up with my mentions and inbox. Thank you for the care, concern and amazing offers to help! Sharing a few moments - Natlaie’s “graduation” + her trip to the surgeon + family, and then our plans moving forward in the thread.

Hi all! First Natalie and I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone for the support! No, Natalie has not had surgery yet. It has been in negotiations for months. As of today, we have 3 of the 4 signed agreements we need. #Cigna assures us the 4th is coming “any day now.”

So many people sharing stories about denials from their health insurance company this week. Here’s ours. www.huffpost.com/entry/brain-... #healthcare #healthinsuranace #cigna #UHC #CEO #POTS #hEDS #CCI #BCBS #Chronicillness

Didn’t think I could be even angrier at #Cigna. Our case manager just gave my husband all the information and updates I had been begging for over the last month. In one phone call. I thought my PT degree and years of healthcare experience would help. Turns out I just needed a Y Chromosome. 🙃

Natlaie was supposed to be at the #ErasTourVancouver tonight, celebrating her recovery from brain and spine surgery. But #cigna refused to cover her surgery, so it got cancelled. She’s at home instead, still waiting for negotiations to finish…”any day now” 🙃

I have a piece publishing soon about our fight with our insurance company to cover a surgery my daughter desperately needs. They denied it. She’s down to 98#s now- at 5’6” - and struggling to eat and stand. Want empathy for the UHC guy, but too busy trying to keep my kid alive. More Saturday.

Tried to see #Wicked today. Had to leave before it started; asked for a refund for the ticket. Manager was SO nice, and SO sad for me (kind but *very* sad). Got home, kiddo said “you even dressed up for Wicked!” Friends…I did not dress up. But this is what I was wearing. It all makes sense now. 😂

*almost* everyone in the family likes their Christmas pajamas…

Current view as the tiny (adorable) menace creeps closer and closer to me (my Thanksgiving leftovers)…🐶

Day 11 and 12 of the #bookchallenge #💙📚 #booksky (Plus a little commentary. 🩷 these books for their take on the importance of connection.)

In light of my thoughts on #Project2025 and the #exvangelical community, here’s book 10/20 in the #bookchallenge. #booksky #💙📚 (First book that accurately reflected how I was “taught” history.)

My note on Project 2025. I usually say I grew up “borderline evangelical” plus “quirky libertarian.” Think very small, very Christian school. Girls couldn’t wear shorts. We learned about complemtarianism, but it was presented as just life. “The man is the head of the household.” 1/n

Missed a day! Day 8/20 and 9/20 in the 20 day book challenge. (This is reminding me that yes, I do pretty exclusively read kids books and non-fiction work. Sorry adult fiction writers….🤷‍♀️) #bookchallenge #booksky #💙📚 #kidlit

Day 7/20 in the #bookchallenge. #💙📚 #booksky (Listened to this one as an audiobook while trying to manage post-concussion syndrome. Recommend the book, *do not* recommend post-concussion anything! But gave me an appreciation for audiobooks and podcasts.)

Watching the Finding Mr. Christmas, the Hallmark Channel Christmas Bachelor show with Natalie again this week. (comes out on Thursdays and is amazing and I love it so much 💚♥️). Have to put up the other great commentary on Hallmark Christmas. youtu.be/hNoZHUDB3GU?...

Day 6/20 in the #bookchallenge. Covers only. 😃 #booksky #💙📚 (This is one of my “it’s been a rough day/week/month” books and I need a familiar comfort book. 🩷)

Ok, the real day 5/20 in the 20 book challenge, etc. #booksky #💙📚 #bookchallenge

As someone who has been fighting the insurance company tooth and nail for coverage for both myself and my daughter over the last several years, omg this. And if you need specialized care?? Good luck. #chronicillness #EDS #POTS #CCI

20 Books, 20 Days, Just Covers… #💙📚 #booksky #bookchallenge (Wait….no….what??)

20 book challenge, 20 books that stuck with you, no commentary just covers. Day 4/20 (I’m enjoying picking the 20 for myself, almost like a personality profile. Also, enjoying everyone else’s covers. 😃 So, uh, a little commentary too?) #booksky #💙📚 #bookchallenge

Choose 20 books that stayed with you. No explanations, just covers, one per day. #booksky #💙📚 #bookchallenge

Choose 20 books that stayed with you. No explanations, covers only. Day 2/20 #booksky #bookchallenge #💙📚

Watching the Hallmark Mr. Christmas Bachelor show. Best reality show ever. I can’t stop giggling. (Also, my daughter’s dream job is acting in a Hallmark movie. She is a real-life Hallmark character. ♥️💚)

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you. No explanations, just covers. #booksky #books #writerlife Day 1/20

This little adorable moppet rolled in 💩 and then ate it on the trail this morning during the slow run. So cute. And so, so gross. 🤢 🐶 (Slow run was good tho!)

Hi! First post and all. Love where I live in the #PNW, travel, the #outdoors, #books and running (so) slowly. Managing #chronicillness with family, jokes and snark. (Save the ACA!) Used to be a #PT, now a freelance #writer. Sometimes I post photos of ⛰️ and my very cute 🐶. Happy to be here. 🦋