About ABC for Health, Inc.

History

A Guardian Angel

The parents of a young son contacted ABC after they both lost their jobs and found themselves without income or health insurance. Even with the federal COBRA subsidy, the family could not afford insurance premiums. Their son, who struggled with mental health problems, was starting to decline rapidly. ABC determined the appropriate health coverage for each family member and then successfully challenged a denial from the Wisconsin Katie Beckett Medicaid Program for their son. In a letter to ABC, the family thanked ABC’ s attorney for "being our guardian angel when we needed one most."

Click here to read more client stories.

ABC for Health is a Wisconsin-based, nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to linking children and families, particularly those with special needs, to health care benefits and services.

Founded in 1994 by public interest attorney Robert A. "Bobby" Peterson, ABC for Health has:

  • Responded to more than 16,500 requests for assistance, serving more than 32,000 people across Wisconsin
  • Responded to more than 2,000 requests for assistance from families and professionals throughout Wisconsin in 2010 alone
  • Provided training to more than 2,000 service providers in 2010 alone
  • Brought St. Mary’s Hospital $32.00 in reimbursements for every $1.00 the hospital spent on ABC’s health benefits counseling services in 2009

Click here to watch a video of Bobby Peterson telling the story of ABC for Health to students at UW-Madison.

Our Mission

ABC for Health’s mission is to provide the community of both patients and providers with the information, advocacy tools, legal services, and expert support they need to secure health care coverage and services.

Our Vision

ABC for Health, a nonprofit public-interest law firm, will develop a nationally recognized, integrated model of Health Benefits Counseling and legal services and policy advocacy that promotes a universal system of health care coverage and access for all people.

We will develop multi-purpose education strategies to inform customers and providers of health care coverage options while also advocating directly for individuals disenfranchised from health care coverage and services.

ABC for Health will also serve as a catalyst in the development of local HealthWatch coalitions as well as other partnerships and strategic alliances to influence public policy and opinion while also working to maximize all available health care coverage options for people.

ABC for Health, Inc., brochure

Annual Reports (pdf)

Annual Report 2010-11
Annual Report 2009-10
Annual Report 2008-09
Annual Report 2007-08
Annual Report 2006-07