S8, Ep 39- Government Shutdowns & IgG4-RD: What Patients Need to Know

In this episode of The Health Advocates, host Steven Newmark breaks down what the recent federal government shutdown means for health care access and vulnerable patients. Then, he’s joined by Mahsa Pazokifard, a passionate patient advocate living with IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), a rare and often misunderstood autoimmune condition. Mahsa opens up about the challenges of getting diagnosed, how the disease has impacted her life and career, and why raising awareness is essential. Whether you’ve never heard of IgG4-RD or are living with a chronic illness yourself, this episode offers powerful insights into patient advocacy, rare disease awareness, and the human side of health care policy. To learn more about IgG4-Related Disease, visit: creakyjoints.org/igg4-rd-guide To learn more about vaccine recommendations and find reliable resources for patients, visit: ghlf.org/vaccines Contact Our Host Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: [email protected] A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF. We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to [email protected] Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.