Fighting for Justice: Why I Became a Patient Advocate
My name is Bil Schmidtknecht, and I never planned to become a patient advocate. I was a husband, a father, and like many Americans—just trying to make it through life. But everything changed on January 21, 2024, when my 22-year-old son, Cole, died from a completely preventable asthma attack. He died not because he didn’t know he needed his medication, and not because the treatment didn’t exist. He died because the price of his daily inhaler suddenly jumped from around $66 to over $500—without warning. He couldn’t afford it. He chose to pay rent. And five days later, he was gone. Since that day, I’ve made it my mission to shine a spotlight on the broken parts of our healthcare system—especially the role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) who manipulate drug formularies, dictate prices, and block access to essential medications in the name of profit. Through PatientProtector.us, I work to amplify the stories of patients and families who’ve been harmed by these hidden healthcare middlemen. We educate, advocate, and push for bold reforms—at the state and federal levels. On social media, I share real stories, updates, and hard truths. You can follow and support this fight at @AngryDadWI and angrydadwi.start.page. If you’ve experienced a healthcare failure—whether due to high drug costs, insurance denials, or pharmacy closures—I invite you to share your story at PatientProtector.us. Your voice could save lives. This isn’t just about my son anymore. This is about all of us. Join the movement. Protect Patients. Not Profits.
