Ady Barkan, Champion of Universal Health Care, Passes Away at 39

Ady Barkan, an activist who fought for universal health care and other reforms to America's health-care system while battling ALS, has died at the age of 39. Barkan, a Yale-trained lawyer, used his illness to engage policymakers in discussions about health-care reforms and became a prominent commentator on health-care causes. He co-founded the political advocacy group Be a Hero and worked to raise awareness for priorities such as Medicare-for-all. Despite his deteriorating health, Barkan continued to advocate for health-care reforms and played a role in the 2020 presidential campaign. He urged the Biden administration to follow through on commitments and fought for additional funding for home health support. Barkan's messages resonated even as his body failed him, and he leaves behind a legacy of activism and hope for government accountability.