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It's time to build (in Medicaid) - Youssef Kalad

youssefkalad.substack.com · 2,850 words · saved by 1 readers

There’s been a Twitter meme making the rounds in recent years, centered on the opportunity AI gives founders at this critical moment in time. The thinking goes, this is an opportunity to improve systems for our country, to modernize our aerospace and defense infrastructure, or simply to talk less and build more. In many ways, the best time to build is in the most unlikely moments: after all, the seeds of Uber and Airbnb formed during the Great Financial Crisis. Which is why heading into 2026, I believe it’s time to build in Medicaid. But first, a personal story. Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. I spent the better part of Dec 2024 to Sep 2025 helping my parents navigate their Medicaid reenrollment in New Jersey (I also grew up relying on Medicaid for my coverage). My mom was fine but my dad had to submit 4 different applications, with 4 different sets of paystubs, asset attestations (they have none), and background info. He was denied in m

It's time to build (in Medicaid) Notes on navigating bureaucracy, modernizing an $880B program, and if constraints can breed creativity. Youssef Kalad Dec 09, 2025 9 1 Share There’s been a Twitter meme making the rounds in recent years, centered on the opportunity AI gives founders at this critical moment in time. The thinking goes, this is an opportunity to improve systems for our country , to modernize our aerospace and defense infrastructure, or simply to talk less and build more . In many ways, the best time to build is in the most unlikely moments: after all, the seeds of Uber and Airbnb

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