Dear Cassy,

We are currently very fortunate in Australia that our health care system allows for affordable access to excellent medical care for all, and the very poor (and on a global scale I think it is fair to say that no Australian is truely "poor") can receive the treatment they need at virtually no cost. I suppose it was therefore the huge inequity - between life for a child with CAH in Australia, versus life in Vietnam - that spurred CLAN to start in the first place.

I have heard that the situation can be very different in America, and it is hard to reconcile that some citizens of the wealthiest country in the world are unable to access the health care they need. My understanding of the American health care system is not strong, but my experience so far with CLAN teaches me that a lot can be achieved to help the very poor relatively easily. Information is power, and networking is key.

To that end, I’d imagine that if there was the will to unite and support members of the American CAH community who struggle to access affordable care, then great things could be accomplished. Solutions need to be sustainable though. Tips on changing the entire political economy of a country will have to wait ’til my next post! ;o)

CLAN finds the web an invaluable resource. Maybe a page somewhere for American citizens, with tips on how to access available resources / cheapest prices for medicines / affordable insurance (and I’m making this up now because I totally don’t understand your system!), and a contact email address for someone who IS knowledgeable, and can give advice on all of this would be a start.

I’m sure this is an issue that CARES has already had experience with, and I’m certain they would be able to answer your query a lot better than me. I believe CARES has financially supported families to attend CAH meetings in the past, and I feel sure they would be an excellent place to start with such a project. Kelly Leight has a wonderful and generous heart - and may already have a similar resource in place (sorry if you do Kelly!)!

Anyway, I hope this is of some use, and not too much of a ramble! I think resources could always be greater the world over, but the fact is that very often simple and cheap solutions can effect great change. Sometimes too, just knowing someone cares can make a difference.

Kind Regards,

Kate.