For what it's worth, I believe the author is a woman.

Interestingly, and anecdotally, I've noticed that auto-immune diseases such as the author's Crohn's, and my wife's Fibromyalgia/vasculitis seem to affect women more frequently than men.

I can confirm firsthand that the author's major points are all things that have borne out since my wife's diagnosis. We've had good doctors and less-good ones; frustrating insurance dealings that seem to change year-to-year with no rhyme or reason; and supportive friends who may or may not actually understand.