The AIP BIPOC Network

04/06/2026

Medicare telehealth was extended through 2027.

But it wasn’t made permanent.

Access still depends on policy decisions, provider interpretation, and where you live. For people living with autoimmune and chronic conditions, that uncertainty impacts how care actually happens.

Telehealth isn’t a convenience. It’s access to care.

We break down what changed, what it means, and what’s still at risk.

🔗 Read the full blog: www.aipbipoc.org/medicare-telehealth-extension-2027-access-uncertainty

04/06/2026

April is full of opportunities to connect, learn, and access support with The AIP BIPOC Network.

This month, we’re hosting health navigation workshops across Houston, offering an in person community workshop, and continuing our virtual autoimmune support group.

Each event is designed to provide practical information, trusted resources, and space for real conversations around autoimmune disease, chronic illness, and long term wellness.

Join us in person or online throughout April.

See the full schedule at:
www.aipbipoc.org/events

04/02/2026

03/26/2026

Last week, Jamie Nicole, Founder of The AIP BIPOC Network, attended the 3rd Autoimmune Association Fly-In in Washington, DC.

The Fly-In brought together advocates from across the country to meet with congressional offices and elevate the realities of living with autoimmune disease, including delays in diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and ongoing gaps in care.

These conversations continue to highlight a disconnect between policy discussions and what communities are experiencing on the ground.

Autoimmune disease impacts millions of people, yet it is still not addressed in a coordinated way. Research remains siloed, access is inconsistent, and experiences vary widely depending on who you are and where you live.

This is the gap ABN works to address every day through community-centered approaches to access, education, and advocacy.

03/25/2026

Autoimmune disease affects more than 50 million Americans, yet it remains one of the most underfunded areas in public health.

That gap isn’t abstract. It shows up in delayed diagnoses, limited access to specialists, and rising out-of-pocket costs.

At the Autoimmune Association Legislative Fly-In, advocates work directly with Congress to address gaps in research, access, and affordability.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗴 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻:
• why autoimmune disease continues to be under-prioritized
• the federal policy issues shaping access and cost
• what advocacy actually looks like beyond awareness
• how you can engage, from sharing your story to participating civically

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗴:
www.aipbipoc.org/autoimmune-legislative-fly-in-2026/

03/23/2026

03/21/2026

03/20/2026

Voting is not usually framed as a health issue. It should be.

For people living with chronic illness, barriers to civic participation are real, from fatigue to hospital stays to limited mobility. These barriers often go unaddressed, even though policy decisions directly shape healthcare access, research funding, and health equity.

Through our work at the AIP BIPOC Network as a Vot-ER partner, we’re helping make voter access more accessible in health-centered spaces.

Learn how Vot-ER supports people navigating chronic illness and how you can take action:

The AIP BIPOC Network partners with Vot-ER to improve voter access for people living with chronic illness, connecting civic engagement to health equity and care access.

03/20/2026

03/17/2026

The AIP BIPOC Network (ABN) is participating in a NowIncluded initiative to gather community input around health experiences and research engagement.

This aligns closely with the work we all do, elevating patient voices and improving how people navigate chronic illness and the healthcare system.

There’s a short survey open right now. It only takes a few minutes.

Each completed survey supports our work with $5, and we’re working toward a goal of 100 responses by Friday.

If you have a moment, I’d really appreciate you taking the survey and sharing it with your communities if it feels aligned.

https://nowincluded.com/aipbipoc

If you’d like more context on the partnership:
https://aipbipoc.org/nowincluded-community-partner-autoimmune-voices/

Thank you for the work you all do in supporting people navigating autoimmune disease and chronic illness.

The AIP BIPOC Network joins the NowIncluded partner network to elevate autoimmune community voices and support health research engagement.

03/17/2026

Community voices matter.

The AIP BIPOC Network has joined the community partner network of NowIncluded, a health engagement platform working to elevate community voices in conversations about health, research, and equity.

Through this engagement, we are helping ensure the experiences of people navigating autoimmune disease and chronic illness are included in broader discussions about health awareness, research participation, and healthcare systems.

Community insight helps shape better research, stronger health education, and more equitable care.

One way to contribute is by sharing your perspective through a short community survey.

Learn more about the partnership:
https://aipbipoc.org/nowincluded-community-partner-autoimmune-voices/

Share your voice:
https://nowincluded.com/aipbipoc

03/14/2026

Powering Advocacy!
www.aipbipoc.org/powering-advocacy/