#stepup4ibd

[heycasbutt]

Hi guys,

As you all know, I live with a Chronic illness called Crohn’s Disease. Crohn’s is an Inflammatory Bowel Disease and IBD currently effects 1.3% of the American population—roughly 3 million people.

Part of managing this disease is medication. I am currently on Humira which is a biweekly injection to help suppress my immune system to help with the inflammation in my body. And so far, it’s worked. I still have bad days, but everyone does.

However, before my insurance would pay for this medication I was required to be on a drug that was not even FDA approved to treat Crohn’s disease and had shown in a number of studies to be ineffective in the treatment of the disease when used as a mono therapy. This is called Step Therapy and a number of IBD patients experience this. Insurance will oftentimes require us to “fail” an insurer-preferred drug (use it for x amount of time and then see how we feel—spoiler it usually doesn’t work) before they will pay for the drug that our healthcare provider has requested.

But this Step Therapy can be dangerous. It can lead to disease flares, under management of a disease and in some cases, total colectomies (removal of the colon).

So, I just want to ask a simple favor. Please sign the petition in the link below regarding step therapy. What the Crohn’s and Colitis foundation is trying to do is pass The Safe Step Act and make step therapy more transparent. Right now, it’s incredibly opaque and we get varying vague answers from insurance. This bill, if passed would allow patients, if deemed necessary by their provider to completely skip step therapy so that they can be started on the drug they need. This medication for some people can literally be life saving. And, after you sign, if you wouldn’t mind sharing this wherever with whomever so that they can get as many signatures as possible.

Thank you, from myself and the rest of the IBD community. ❤️

http://www.votervoice.net/Shares/BAAAAAF3AEAiAAZKsUW7FAA

[crazycreolemommy]

Ready for the advocacy marathon! Coffee brewed, pencils sharpened and devices charged. @crohnscolitisfoundation #DayOnTheHill has officially begun with #TeamCalifornia virtually from our couches. • My follow-ups are usually done from the comfort of my home or an airplane. However, the best advocating is down with a resounding group voice. So, #IBD patients, caregivers, advocates, and physicians are gathering today with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation to advocate for legislation that could increase the quality of life for those affected by IBD. • Today we are asking for Senators and members of The House of Representatives to co-sponsor two bi-partisan bills in the House and Senate. The Safe Step Act and the Medical Nutrition Equity Act. The Safe Step Act helps to reform Step Therapy on the federal level (specifically employer-sponsored insurance) and will help patients with chronic conditions across the board. The Medical Nutrition Equity Act will help patients get insurance coverage for their medical foods without having to go the surgical route of getting a feeding tube. • These bills can help to change patient’s lives significantly. Your stories can help gain co-sponsors. If you would like to share your story, please dm me. Also share your story using the hashtags: #StepUp4IBD & #ibdmomsonthehill (if you’re a mom affected by IBD). Our democracy changes its course when you help to steer it! https://www.instagram.com/p/CAar159jvKD/?igshid=1dnbz26ngvrh2

[crohnicallyfab]

It’s Day on the Hill with the @crohnscolitisfoundation ! 💜 • • Today, doctors, patients, and volunteers across the country have come together to speak with our senators and representatives to explain the importance of passing both the Medical Nutrition Equity Act and the Safe Step Act! • • While I’m bummed I don’t get to be face to face in DC advocating, I’m THRILLED to be a part of this event with our kick butt PA team! 💪🏻💜 • • Looking forward to continuing the day advocating on behalf of IBD patients all across the country! 💜 If you would like to do your part in helping us get these passed, please visit the foundation’s website to email your senators and representatives about why these are so important! 🙌🏻 . . . . . . #stepup4ibd #stepupforibd #crohns #crohnsdisease #crohnswarrior #crohnsawareness #safestepact #crohnsandcolitis #colitis #ulcerativecolitis #ibd #ibdawareness #ibdwarrior #ibdsuperheroes #friendswithcrohns #spoonie #chronicillness #chronicillnesswarrior #invisibleillness https://www.instagram.com/p/CAarzE-jQcV/?igshid=4ucj0sjodggp

[spesteban]

On #WorldIBD Day and in support of good friends, today I would like to highlight the #ChronsColitisFoundation #StepUp4IBD #ShareandSupportCharities https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/chapters/sandiego Our Impact The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation has been at the forefront of inflammatory bowel disease research and care for more than 50 years and counting. We invest in IBD research, education, support, and advocacy initiatives. We won’t stop until we achieve our vision — a future free from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. https://www.instagram.com/p/CAYJPcyDJDF/?igshid=1kyi52u0pnmt5

[crohnicallyfab]

Tomorrow is #WorldIBDDay ! 💜💜 • • I can’t believe it’s been 7 years since I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, just days after my 21st birthday! What a whirlwind it’s been. • • From step therapy battles with insurance, hospitalizations, a life changing surgery, and meeting so many AMAZING IBD warriors, it’s just been craziness! 🤯 • • I hope you’ll hop on over to the Crohn’s Colitis Foundation website and generate your very own info graphic to celebrate and raise awareness for World IBD Day! 💜💜 . . . . . . . #crohns #stepup4ibd #crohnscolitis #crohnscolitisfoundation #crohnswarrior #crohnsdisease #crohnie #crohnsawareness #crohnsandcolitis #colitis #ulcerativecolitis #ibd #ibdawareness #ibdwarrior #ibdsuperheroes #friendswithcrohns #chronicillness #chronicillnesswarrior #chronicillnessawareness #spoonie #invisibleillness #invisibleillnessawareness https://www.instagram.com/p/CAVx7_kDZZq/?igshid=tbonsyhtxv5