Patient Advocacy & Beyond, LLC

12/20/2025

A milestone moment this week.

Before my client reached out, he was confused and pressured by hospital case managers. They even mentioned 'public guardianship' when he refused to sign some paper. He was nearly pushed to send his beloved mom to a very risky rehab facility.

Once my service began, I quickly vetted every facility that had accepted the patient. My conclusion? None offered what truly mattered to the patient and her son—and all carried potentially serious risks.

We quickly shifted course to a discharge home (even though he had to rent a furnished apartment), with home CNAs, PT, OT, ST, and skilled nursing. The case managers accepted my rationale for rejecting their plan and approved the alternative without resistance. The hospital also granted us several extra days to ensure all medical equipment (a height-adjustable hospital bed, Hoyer lift, etc.) was properly in place.

Here’s the harsh reality everyone needs to understand: the business side of hospitals/rehab facilities is extremely strained these days. Case managers—under pressure to clear beds, often by Friday, for revenue-generating patients—are overwhelmed. Mistakes and miscommunication happen more frequently than they should. As one of many examples in this case, they ordered a standard hospital bed that was NOT height-adjustable, creating safety risks for the patient and potential back injuries for caregivers. 😣 We secured a better bed faster than their vendor (whose delays stemmed from poor communication) and at a lower cost.

This photo was taken just before the patient's late-night discharge, with the wonderful, caring nurses on the unit. They understood the value of an independent patient advocate for both the patient and family. 😊

Most importantly: the patient is already doing better after just a few days. She now has her son at her bedside around the clock in a safe and comfortable environment. ❤️

05/23/2025

Can RFK Jr. & MAHA Actually Help Americans Get Healthier??

Well, first, they obviously know what to say to us who are unhappy about our 'Sickcare' system. This article basically sums it up: "the report blames many chronic illnesses on ultra-processed foods, chemicals in the environment, sedentary behavior and over-reliance on digital devices among children." 🍔🏭📱

Trump: "Unlike other administrations, we will not be silenced or intimidated by the corporate lobbyist or special interest." 🤔

OK, I totally agree that too many people struggle with chronic illnesses in this country, and processed foods, chemicals in the environment, and sedentary behavior are a big part of it. I'm also all in for fighting against corporate lobbyists to protect people's health. ✊

BUT… there is no budget, nor concrete policy! RFK Jr. said they were "going to work out the policy recommendations over the next 100 days"… In other words, these are just words! 🗣️

And… What about the fact that Trump already repealed the Clean Water Rule and rewrote the EPA's pollution-control policies to weaken environmental protections (including against toxic PFAS 'forever chemicals', which are linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, immune system suppression, and other serious health effects)?! ☠️🌊😡

Even within this short article, it's clear the administration is speaking out of both sides of their mouth. On one side, they demonize pesticides. On the other side, Trump's Secretary of Agriculture (who also sits on the MAHA Commission) said, "American farmers rely on these products… and actions that regulate or restrict crop protection tools must involve thoughtful consideration." 🎭

Having said all that, I still feel/hope this Commission could take some actions that will help Americans lead healthier lifestyles. I mean, this administration's (unhinged) disruptive tactics are already shaking up US society! 🌀 Why not ride with any positive changes that weren't possible with previous administrations that were cozy with industries at the expense of Americans' health? 🏄🏻‍♀️

However, we must closely watch what exactly they're going to do to actually Make America Healthy Again, and not just offer empty words. Let's keep them accountable!! 👀

What do you think - are you hopeful or skeptical?

03/08/2025

**What Recent Celebrity Deaths Can Teach Us**

I just read about some details of Gene Hackman and Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-TX)'s tragic deaths this weekend, and it hit me - both might have been prevented with a simple backup plan! 😮

Hackman's wife/caregiver died suddenly from hantavirus, leaving no one to care for him (with advanced dementia & cardiovascular disease) and their post-surgery dog. All three passed away within a week. 😭

Rep. Turner was sent home from the hospital after feeling unwell during Trump's speech, only to die the next morning! 💔 The doctors might have missed something critical (while their administrator pressuring them to churn the patients quickly😞).

Both cases show how important it is to have a backup person who checks on you or advocates when you can't speak up for yourself. Even a simple medical alert device could have saved lives of the Hackman’s.

Life is fragile - who's your backup person? Do you have a plan?

06/09/2024

“Physicians for Informed Consent” (PFIC) sounds like a great, trustworthy site for healthcare consumers, right? Well, not so fast!

I just saw this LinkedIn post by a physician in my network whom I’ve concluded to be trustworthy:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/casey-husser-md-6a19645_vaccines-healthcare-childrenshealth-activity-7205034646005293056-WjXq

I checked the source, and the logic he explained makes sense to me. My conclusion is that the physicians on the PFIC site actively try to misinform the public and prevent them and their children from getting the protection they need. 😰

(Did they sell their souls to the devil? 😈 Or to the Medical Industrial Complex that profits from more people falling sick! 🤑)

It’s so sad and scary that our modern society has come to this.

But it is what it is. Some people even aptly call US healthcare a ‘self-serve’ industry. You can never blindly trust anything a ‘professional’ tells you to do. Find a provider you can completely trust or work with an .

06/06/2024

The Medical Record - Only YOU Can Ensure Its Accuracy!

So, my friend (not a healthcare pro) recently got access to her patient portal (finally! 👍). It was great she reviewed her medical record. Then, she saw these…

1. A medication prescribed for one flight, which she never took, was on her current list.
2. “Patient has never been exposed to smoke.” She was shocked because they hadn't asked her about secondhand smoke. She’s never smoked, but her dad smoked around her for many years and died of lung cancer!
3. "Reports current alcohol use.” They never asked her this recently, and she’s become allergic to alcohol!

😞 Looks like someone (or an algorithm) took a lazy shortcut. 😞

I’m sure some of you have similar or worse experiences.
Her case might not be dramatic, but it shows how easily errors sneak into medical records, even when you answer everything correctly.

👉 Once wrong info gets in, it spreads to other records without you even knowing!
👉 The patient always suffers the consequences (misdiagnosis, wrong meds, etc.), not the provider or the institution!

👿 The situation really sucks for the patients (especially since we’re paying a fortune). But this is what it is in America - the root problem is lack of accountability. 👿

We must change this, but first, we need evidence and build power.

For now, we can only rely on ourselves (and our advocates) to ensure our health info is accurate.

→ You must find the ‘provider’s note’ (usually from the 'visits' section), not the ‘visit summary’ (a watered-down version).
→ Use AI to translate the jargon into plain English.
→ Clarify anything unclear with your provider (preferably within a week from the visit for ease of correction).

🔗 Read more about the importance of medical records and how to obtain copies if your portal doesn't give you your full records. http://bit.ly/3Vk8LXA

05/30/2024

🚨 Are Rehab Facilities as Safe as They Seem? Protect Your Loved Ones!

In healthcare, what you don't see can hurt your loved ones. We must remember rehab (skilled-nursing) facilities only offer minimal medical and nursing care compared to hospitals. Our latest blog post, based on a true client story, exposes hidden dangers that may threaten their recovery journey, especially for those with ongoing medical conditions or cognitive issues.

Learn how to navigate these challenges and become a proactive advocate for their care. We offer expert advice and practical tips to safeguard their recovery and wellbeing.

🔗 **Dive into the full article:** [Unseen Perils in a Rehab Facility: Safeguarding Your Loved Ones](https://1l.ink/G3ZHH8M)

Empower yourself with knowledge. Join the conversation and share your insights below. Let's ensure our loved ones receive the care they deserve.

IntroductionAfter a hospital stay, patients are often recommended to regain their strength and mobility at a sub-acute rehabilitation facility, also known as 'short-term rehab' at a skilled-nursing facility (SNF), or nursing home. The services at these facilities are typically fully covered by insur...

04/19/2024

Great news! These chemical substances have been contributing to many health issues such as various cancers, even among young people…

It's time to make them pay and stop the terrible consequences on health, not only for humans but all species!!

The Environmental Protection Agency designated two of the most widely used per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as hazardous substances.

03/08/2024

I humbly present the concise summary of my blog series "The Battle for Justice: 'Sickcare' vs. 'Health-Owners.'

If you're very busy but interested in thought-provoking stuff, this blog post is for you! It takes less than 4 minutes. (You can also access to full blogs from there).

Please check it out and let me know what you think or any questions!

For those of you who are too busy to read the entire series right now, here is a high-level, concise summary of the series! :)Part 1From Health to Despair: One Patient's Odyssey Through US Healthcare This series starts with the harrowing story of Jack, a symbol of many who suffer under the current s...

01/31/2024

Announcing Part 4 of my 6-part blog series, which gets to the core of the US healthcare problem.

This volume might be a bit controversial as I didn’t mince words! 😅

Here is a snippet: “This profit-maximizing approach thrives when patients are left confused, become sicker, and require more expensive treatments.”

This is what ‘Jack’ went through and so many other patients.

I realize Part 4 may be a bit controversial, as I simplified the situation.

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

is

Part 4 of The Battle for Justice: 'Sickcare' vs. 'Health-Owners' Series. The 6-part blog series reflects on one patient’s experience and unravels the complex and mind-boggling factors surrounding American patients. I aim to shed light on the extent of US healthcare troubles, explore the reasons be...

01/23/2024

Check out my blog post. Would love to hear your experience!

Part 3 of The Battle for Justice: 'Sickcare' vs. 'Health-Owners' Series. The blog series reflects on one patient’s experience and unravels the complex and mind-boggling factors surrounding American patients. I aim to shed light on the extent of US healthcare troubles, explore the reasons behind th...

01/11/2024

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟

Thrilled to share my new blog series, "The Battle for Justice: 'Sickcare' vs. 'Health-Owners’". 🚀 Part 1 dives into the heartbreaking story of a once-healthy young man's unexpected journey navigating healthcare with a complex chronic condition.

Check out the snippet below:

"He developed a profound distrust of the US medical community and traveled to Europe for care. Never set foot in a US medical facility for years while his symptoms worsened…"

Played around with AI-generated drawings too. 🎨 Your thoughts and experiences are welcome!



✨ Lastly, a reflection question: "When seeking medical care, do we sometimes forget to question the treatments suggested to us?" ✨

Part 1 of The Battle for Justice: 'Sickcare' vs. 'Health-Owners' Series This will be a 5-part blog series, reflecting on one patient’s experience and unraveling the complex and mind-boggling factors surrounding American patients. I aim to shed light on the extent of US healthcare troubles, explore...

01/04/2024

❗️A shocking fact about ‘healthcare’ every American needs to know❗️

We hear about problems with the way the authorizes drugs and medical devices periodically… but this illuminating KFF Health News article (in the comments), helped me to see the bigger picture.

I’ve reached a point where I must be vocal about the serious problem of the FDA being “too industry-friendly to protect patients from harm”!

Here are some bullet points and my thoughts.

- “Most medical devices, including many implants, are cleared for sale by the FDA without tests for safety or effectiveness,”. 😱 (This explains a lot about why US healthcare costs so much⁉️)

- The FDA has been doing a poor job of tracking the devices that cause death or serious injury. “FDA officials acknowledge that many serious adverse events go unreported. In about 10% of reports, more than a year or two elapsed from when a death or serious injury occurred and when the FDA received the reports. That works out to nearly 60,000 delayed reports a year”! 😡

- Patients/families suing the manufacturers is often the way the public can find out about serious issues. However, they often lose because the US legal system protects the manufacturers more than the people❗️😭

- “Even many doctors don’t realize devices cleared for sale typically have not undergone clinical trials to establish their safety.” (Diana Zuckerman, president of the National Center for Health Research) 😵‍💫

- Other countries do a better job protecting their citizens! 🙏

In America, before saying ‘yes’ to an implant, patients must at least learn about the device’s safety and performance records, and other alternative options.

Or work with an advocate who can find the information and ensure the decision is in your best interest.

Seriously, wouldn’t you spend time researching a costly product (e.g., a car) before buying it?

We’re talking about YOUR LIFE.