Episode 52- Defending Medicaid with the MDA Advocacy Team

Thursday, April 17, 2025

In this Quest Podcast episode, we chat with Joel Cartner, MDA’s Director of Access Policy, and Jori Houck, MDA’s Manager of Advocacy Engagement. They join us to share the most recent updates and information about Medicaid benefits, current legislative efforts and what MDA’s Advocacy Team is doing to protect those efforts, and how you can get involved.

Please join us at: www.MDA.org/Advocacy

Say no to Medicaid Cuts: www.MDA.org/Medicaid

Interested in media engagement opportunities: email advocacy@mdausa.org

Your Guests

Jori Houck

Jori Houck is the Manager of Advocacy Engagement at the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Jori mobilizes advocates, helps craft legislative and advocacy strategies alongside the Public Policy and Advocacy team, and works to elevate the voices of the neuromuscular community. Prior to joining MDA, Jori worked in nonprofit education and career training advocacy, as well as spent time as a Congressional staff member. She enjoys building relationships with advocates, legislators, partner advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders. She is always looking for innovative ways to bridge gaps between lived experience and legislative action that elevates the voices of the neuromuscular and disability communities. She helps lead efforts to educate and engage MDA advocates, empowering them to share their stories and drive meaningful change. She is an alumna of the University of Connecticut. Outside of work, Jori enjoys coffee, nature, watching sports, and traveling, especially planning dog-friendly trips with her Yorkie, Tristan.

Connect with Jori:

Email: advocacy@mdausa.org

Joel Cartner

Joel Cartner is a lawyer and public policy professional working as the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Director of Access Policy. Cartner leads MDA’s efforts in conceiving, enacting, and supporting the implementation of public policy proposals that expand access to care for the neuromuscular disease community. Cartner has a background in health, disability, and education law (including complex litigation) and policy. He received his J.D. from Quinnipiac University School of Law and his B.A. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Connect with Joel:

Email: advocacy@mdausa.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-cartner-esq-34396b94/

Host: Mindy Henderson

Mindy Henderson is MDA’s Vice President of Disability Outreach & Empowerment & Editor-in-Chief of Quest Media, and the host of this podcast. She was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, type 2 when she was 15 months old and has been a life-long partner to MDA. Mindy is also a motivational speaker and writer, and author of the book, The Truth About Things That Suck.

Connect with Mindy:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendersonmindy/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindyhendersonspeaks/