#upgrademedicaid by Upgrade Medicaid

Last Updated: May 1, 2026

A podcast about managed care and the Iowans who are affected by it.

Help Me Help Others: An Interview With Harleigh Boldrige and Michelle Meadors

Published: January 10, 2020

Harleigh, Michelle, and Zach talk about the barriers preventing people from becoming caregivers and how the caregiver shortages prevent Iowans with Disabilities from serving their communities. Michelle shares her struggle to continue to help others without adequate care and how it has affected her mental and physical health.

Let Me Live My Life: An Interview With Shelley Jaspering

Published: December 6, 2019

Zach and Shelley discuss the challenges of managing and keeping caregiviers while trying to live life. They talk about the strain of caregiving on relationships and the difficulty of working with caregiver agencies when you have a job. In Shelly's words, "I get so annoyed with trying to figure out caregivers when I just want to go to work and hang out with friends."

Living Life Limited: An Interview With Elaine Gartelos

Published: September 19, 2019

Zach and Elaine talk about the limitations imposed on her by the MCOs. Not only is she prevented from pursuing a career as a video editor and writer, but she is not able to get out of bed for more than a few hours a day. At times, she has been left in bed for up to 45 hours with no one to move her. All of these limitations make Elaine feel as if she doesn't have a life, but she holds on to the hope that this will one day change.

Surviving Not Thriving: An Interview With Matt Grillot

Published: September 2, 2019

A conversation about the challenges of living a full life under the managed care system.