Working with Counterforce Health, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping patients fight health insurance denials, I’ve seen the harsh reality too many families face: A devastating diagnosis is followed not by treatment, but by a denial letter.

Every day, patients across the U.S. are told “no” by their insurance provider. Instead of focusing on healing, they’re forced to navigate complex appeals processes, often without guidance. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than 1 in 5 claims are denied and most patients don’t even know they have the right to fight back.

That’s why we need to educate, empower, and equip patients and healthcare teams with the tools to challenge these decisions. External appeals exist, and they work, but awareness is low and access to support is limited. We believe knowledge can save lives.

We’re calling on healthcare professionals, policymakers, and advocates to join us in: Raising public awareness of the external appeal process

By signing this pledge, you’re standing up for fairness, dignity, and access to care. Let’s shift the balance of power back to patients and the providers who care for them. Let’s make health insurance denials the exception, not the norm.

Sign the pledge. Share the mission. Help more people say: “I appealed and I won.”