We The Patients: An American Cancer Patient Rights Movement

ABOUT US

We The Patients is a nationwide, patient-led movement fighting to right the wrongs of healthcare. This nonpartisan movement is mobilizing to educate, advocate, and drive systemic change in the name of patient rights through storytelling, policy engagement, and voter activation. Our mission is to hold policymakers and the healthcare industry accountable and demand they listen, protect, and respect patients.

WHY WE'RE DOING THIS

Because cancer flips your life upside down—and then dumps you into a healthcare system that’s cold, confusing, and broken on purpose. Patients get diagnosed and instantly feel lost. They don’t know what’s covered, what’s not, who to call, or what’s real. Most don’t even know what questions to ask. We’re doing this because no one should have to figure that out alone.

We’re building a national movement so cancer patients have rights, real support, and a human being in their corner from day one. Not someday. Not maybe. But guaranteed.


OF ALL CANCER PATIENTS WITH INSURANCE STILL FACE MEDICAL DEBT *	OF ONCOLOGISTS SAY PRIOR AUTHORIZATION HAS LED TO DELAYS IN CANCER TREATMENT *	OF CANCER PATIENTS REPORT PRIOR AUTHORIZATION HAS DELAYED THEIR CARE *
OF CANCER PATIENTS FIGHT BILLING ERRORS AND DENIALS WHILE IN TREATMENT. *	OF CANCER PATIENTS DEPLETE THEIR LIFE SAVINGS WITHIN TWO YEARS OF DIAGNOSIS. *	OF ONCOLOGISTS SAY PRIOR AUTHORIZATION HAS LED TO UNNECESSARY PATIENT DEATHS *

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

We’re introducing the Cancer Patient Protection Act (CPPA)–bold legislation designed to deliver what every cancer patient deserves from day one: a dedicated, third-party patient navigator, protection from insurance loopholes and dangerous delays, and freedom from financial devastation.

Every patient gets assigned a licensed, independent Cancer Navigator to fight for them, battle insurance, and connect them to the right care.

CPPA stops denials, delays, and the fine-print traps that kill. You get the care you need, when you need it. No more prior authorization nightmares.

CPPA eliminates surprise costs for basic cancer care—transport, fertility, mental health, and more. No more life savings wiped out just to live.

"THIS IS HOW WE FLIP THE POWER DYNAMIC. NOT WITH AWARENESS. NOT WITH RIBBONS. WITH LEGISLATION THAT FORCES THE SYSTEM TO SERVE THE PEOPLE FOOTING THE BILL—WE THE PATIENTS.

— Matthew Zachary, Founder, We The Patients

OUR TEAM

Get inspired by the people behind this. Veterans from every corner of healthcare, policy, tech, and advocacy—survivors, strategists, believers—coming together to build a movement you can’t ignore. The fight to rewrite the rules starts with them.

COFOUNDERS



MATTHEW ZACHARY	MAIMAH KARMO	SALLY NEELY NIX	MATT TORESCO

STRATEGIC ADVISORS



DAVID SEABURG Chair	JACE YAWNICK Digital Disruptor	CANDICE ROTH, MSN AONN	CARLA TARDIFF Family Reach	AARON STROUT Fmr. Real Chemistry



KRISTI MARTIN Sr. Policy Strategist	SARAH DASH Healthcare Leader	HENRY FRIEDMAN, MD Duke University	ALLYSON OCEAN, MD Weill Cornell Medicine	ERIC CHARSKY Advocacy Leader

DECLARATION
WE, THE PATIENTS. We have had enough. We have a moral reckoning. We have a national reckoning. No more prior authorizations. No more robot denials. No more appeals. We are not out of network. We are stronger than any insurance claim. We are louder than any denial letter. We are for every patient who ever died waiting. We are for every family that went broke just trying to live. We are for every loved one lost to a denied claim. We are not here to raise awareness. We are not waiting for permission. We are not to be placed on hold. We have the right to a healthcare system designed to help, not harm. We, the survivors. We, the caregivers. We, the parents. We, the veterans. We, the grieving. We, the people. WE, THE PATIENTS.


THIS IS NOT OK.
WASTED ANNUALLY ON CLAIMS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INITIALLY APPROVED *	ANNUAL COSTS FIGHTING AND OVERTURNING THOSE UNNECESSARY DENIALS *