Welcome to The Connected Physician, where we bring you closer to the people and perspectives shaping modern healthcare. In this episode, host Katharina Juenger speaks with Dr. Eugene C Santillano, a family physician with over two decades of experience and a dedicated specialist in addiction medicine. Dr. Santiago dives into the critical, often under-addressed challenges faced by Medicaid patients, shedding light on how physicians can better support these vulnerable communities. Dr. Santiago's journey began at UC Davis, where he discovered his passion for serving underserved populations. Over the years, he has developed a unique empathy for Medicaid patients facing limited healthcare access, especially those with addiction issues. His personal connection to addiction, rooted in his own family’s experiences, has given him a profound understanding of his patients' struggles, reinforcing the importance of compassionate and stigma-free care. Key takeaways include: The Realities of Medicaid: Dr. Santiago explores the unique healthcare challenges Medicaid patients face, from limited preventive care to the social pressures that make accessing healthcare difficult.Addiction and Empathy in Medicine: Drawing from his family's experiences with addiction, Dr. Santiago discusses how his background fuels his approach to addiction treatment and patient connection.Healthcare Inequities Across States: Medicaid's effectiveness varies widely across states, and Dr. Santiago explains how these disparities affect patient outcomes.Telemedicine and Homelessness: While telemedicine has been beneficial for some, homeless Medicaid patients face unique obstacles that require innovative solutions like mobile clinics.The Future of Medicaid with Technology: Dr. Santiago believes AI and automation can enhance Medicaid services, reduce physician burnout, and allow providers to focus on meaningful patient interactions. Links and Resources:Eugene C Santillano on LinkedInAddiction Change Experts (ACE) Medical INC. Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to The Connected Physician Podcast? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes or Spotify and leave us a review!