Kay and I recently had the opportunity to be interviewed by Act4Kids Nevada. They are a nonprofit organization dedicated to representing the voices of children and families as they work to bring comprehensive pediatric healthcare to our state. They reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in sharing our experiences with the Nevada healthcare system since having Kay. By now, most of you know that I will always take any opportunity to advocate, so of course I said yes.
We filmed over the weekend, and as always, it was a wonderful experience. Kay was very much a typical toddler, not wanting to sit still or engage much. I found myself juggling her need for entertainment while trying to answer questions and share our story as clearly as possible.
I spoke about the long wait times we face when trying to see new doctors, or even when trying to schedule with providers we already see. This is largely because many specialists continue to leave the state. When more doctors exit a specific specialty, the quality of care can shift for those who remain. I truly believe it is not intentional, as these providers are taking on more patients and doing their best to meet everyone’s needs. Still, the difference can be noticeable. I also shared that if you get sick and have to miss a scheduled appointment, it may take another six months to a year to be seen again, even if you had already waited that long just to get in.
Despite the challenges we have faced while navigating Kay’s healthcare, we have also been fortunate to find some wonderful doctors along the way. Many of them are still with us today, even though they are much busier than they used to be. We are lucky to have providers who take the time to listen and who do not dismiss concerns as unimportant or accuse me of overreacting. In fact, I truly believe that if it weren’t for Kay’s pediatrician’s office being so thorough and willing to run extra tests based on parent concerns, we may not have caught her diabetes diagnosis as early as we did. I honestly do not know what might have happened if they had not listened.
I recognize that other families are facing even tougher situations than we are. I also know how fortunate we are that we have not yet had to travel out of state just to get the care Kay needs, like some of our friends have. Nevada’s pediatric healthcare system needs serious improvement. There is talk of breaking ground on a new children’s hospital in 2026. Although it will be several years before it is complete, I truly hope it brings the support and services families here so desperately need.