Samira is joined by legal expert, patient advocate, and author Rebecca — a powerhouse voice in the cancer and healthcare world. Rebecca shares her unique journey from big law to breast cancer advocacy, and offers practical, game-changing advice for patients navigating diagnosis, treatment, insurance, and employment.
Whether you're newly diagnosed, supporting a loved one, or simply want to understand your rights, this conversation is a masterclass in layered patient advocacy.
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About Our Guest:
Rebecca Bloom is a Yale College and New York University School of Law educated patient and workplace advocate. A former workplace and benefits attorney, Rebecca’s longest and proudest affiliation is with Bay Area Cancer Connections, where she has served as a patient advocate and healthcare, insurance and workplace advisor for women fighting breast and ovarian cancer for 25 years. Rebecca was a contributing writer and editor for Breast Cancer in the Workplace, published by the Northern California Cancer Center in the early 2000s. The book has recently been updated, expanded and reissued by the Cancer Prevention Institute of California and is now titled Working with Cancer.Rebecca serves as a listener, learner, supporter and advocate for the clients of Bay Area Cancer Connections, primarily one at a time but also in groups that she’s led and conferences where she’s presented.
When she worked as a lawyer, her clients were companies, and she brings that perspective to her interactions with BACC clients and other people on whose behalf she advocates. Her knowledge of the complex rules that employers, insurers and medical providers follow, as well as the dynamics and incentives that exist between stakeholders helps her give the women she supports a constructive and comprehensive foundation so that they can integrate all available information with comfort and confidence and focus on recovery and wellness. Rebecca is also a professional storytelling coach, helping her clients get their stories told and shared.⏱️
CHAPTERS / TIMECODES
00:00 – Cancer Bills, Greed & the Broken System
01:00 – Meet Rebecca: Legal Ninja-Turned-Advocate
03:50 – What Changed in 26 Years of Oncology Work
06:45 – Why the Maze Is More Complex Today
09:50 – The Rise of the Medical Industrial Complex
11:40 – How Tech Complicates Cancer Care
13:00 – The Story Behind Her New Book
16:00 – Advocacy Success Story: Karen’s Journey
20:00 – How to Talk to Insurers & Employers (Magic Words)
23:30 – Legal Advice: Your Benefits Are Yours — Take Them
26:00 – Drafting Your Support Team (Like a Startup CEO)
28:40 – The Hidden Risk of Insurance Plan Changes
31:15 – Rapid Fire: Insurance, FMLA, Disability, COBRA Explained
38:55 – Other Hidden Workplace Benefits Most Patients Miss
40:35 – If You Could Fix One Thing About Healthcare...
41:30 – What Being a "Patient from Hell" Really Means
42:00 – Closing Thoughts and One Thing to Remember
Takeaways:
Rebecca Bloom's diverse background includes law, advocacy, and storytelling.
Stories of hope can empower patients and provide valuable insights.
Understanding your rights as a patient is essential for effective advocacy.
Insurance complexities can create barriers to care that patients must navigate.
Connect with Us:
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Disclaimer:
All content and information provided in connection with Manta Cares is solely intended for informational and educational purposes only. This content and information is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.