Havi Nguyen Launches Abby Care to Turn Family Caregivers into Paid Professionals
Havi Nguyen founded Abby Care, a San Francisco startup that transforms family members into licensed, paid caregivers for medical conditions like autism and cerebral palsy. The company operates in eight states, utilizing Medicaid funds to pay family members at least $20 per hour for the care they provide. Nguyen, who grew up in a Vietnamese-American family, developed the idea after navigating the complex Medicaid system and working at a therapy startup. She aims to replicate the success of Uber and Airbnb by creating a marketplace for in-home health care. While the startup faces potential risks from Medicaid policy shifts, such as those in President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, it offers a significant financial benefit to families. For example, Jesse Vega and Deaunda Lira, who married in 2023, used Abby Care to help Deaunda Lira provide professional care for Jesse Vega, who suffers from severe seizures. The company's AI-forward tools and digital charting help prevent fraud while providing a structured plan for patients.