How Medicaid Saved My Life After a Cancer Diagnosis at 28

How Medicaid Saved My Life After a Cancer Diagnosis at 28

The Diagnosis That Changed Everything

At 28, “cancer” was a word that happened to other people. Then, it happened to me. I was working as a waitress, with no health insurance. The diagnosis was terrifying, but the thought of the cost was just as paralyzing. A hospital social worker helped me apply for Medicaid on an emergency basis. It was approved within days. For the next year, Medicaid was my silent partner. It paid for my surgery, my chemotherapy, and all my medications. It didn’t just save me from bankruptcy; it allowed my doctors to save my life. I am alive today because of Medicaid.

From Homeless to Homeowner: My Journey, Powered by Medicaid

The Foundation My New Life Was Built On

Five years ago, I was living on the street, struggling with untreated bipolar disorder. My life was chaos. An outreach worker helped me get on Medicaid. That was the first, crucial step. Medicaid gave me access to a psychiatrist and the medication that stabilized my mind. My case manager then connected me to a supportive housing program and a job coach. Today, I have a steady job, my own small condo, and my health is stable. Medicaid didn’t just give me healthcare; it gave me the foundation to rebuild my entire life.

The Day My Son Had an Accident: A Story of Why Medicaid is a Lifeline

The Scariest Day of My Life

My son fell from a tree in our backyard. The next few hours were a blur of the ambulance, the emergency room, and the news that he needed emergency surgery for a ruptured spleen. It was the scariest day of my life. As I sat by his bedside, the last thing on my mind was money. And thanks to my son’s Medicaid coverage, it never had to be. His entire, catastrophic, and completely unexpected medical event was covered. We were able to focus on what truly mattered: his healing. That peace of mind is a priceless gift.

I Was a Small Business Owner Who Lost Everything. Medicaid Was My Safety Net.

The Dream That Died, and the Net That Caught Me

For ten years, I poured my heart and soul into my little bookstore. Then, a perfect storm of a bad economy and online competition forced me to close my doors. I lost my business, my income, and my health insurance all at once. I was 55 and felt like a complete failure. Applying for Medicaid was humbling, but it was the safety net that caught me. It covered my blood pressure medication and allowed me to see a therapist to deal with the depression. It kept me healthy and afloat during the darkest chapter of my life.

My Daughter Has a Rare Disease. Without Medicaid, We’d Be Bankrupt.

The Million-Dollar Care My Daughter Deserves

My daughter was born with a rare genetic disorder. She sees a team of five different specialists, takes a dozen medications a day, and requires specialized medical equipment. I have a good job with private insurance, but even with that, our share of the cost would be tens of thousands of dollars every year. Our daughter qualifies for Medicaid as a secondary insurance due to her disability. It wraps around our primary plan and picks up all the costs we could never afford. Without Medicaid, we would be bankrupt. It’s that simple.

How Free Therapy on Medicaid Helped Me Leave an Abusive Relationship

The Voice That Helped Me Find My Own

I was trapped in an abusive marriage. The emotional abuse had chipped away at my self-worth until I felt like nothing. I knew I needed help, but I couldn’t afford therapy. I was able to get my own Medicaid card based on my low income. I found a therapist who specialized in trauma. Her gentle guidance, covered completely by my plan, helped me rebuild my confidence and find the strength to leave. My weekly therapy session was more than just a conversation; it was the key that unlocked the door to my freedom and my safety.

I Judged People on Medicaid. Then I Became One.

The Judgment I Left Behind

I admit it. I used to be one of those people who judged people on Medicaid. I thought it was for lazy people who didn’t want to work. Then, a car accident left me unable to do my construction job. My savings ran out in six months. Suddenly, I was the one with no income and mounting medical bills. Applying for Medicaid was a deeply humbling experience. It taught me that a health crisis can happen to anyone, at any time. Now, I see Medicaid not as a handout, but as a lifeline that catches hardworking people when they fall.

The NICU Journey: How My Premature Baby Survived Thanks to Medicaid

Our Tiny Fighter and Her Giant Shield

My daughter decided to arrive two months early. She was tiny, fragile, and needed the high-tech, life-saving care of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). A single day in the NICU costs more than I make in a month. But because I had Pregnancy Medicaid, my daughter was automatically covered from the moment she was born. Her Medicaid plan paid for every single ventilator, incubator, and specialist visit. It was her financial shield. We were able to spend every moment focused on her survival, not on the terrifying, million-dollar bill we would have otherwise faced.

My Story of Getting Sober and Rebuilding My Life with Medicaid’s Help

The Second Chance I Didn’t Think I Deserved

My addiction had cost me my job, my family, and my home. I was broken and thought I was beyond help. A shelter worker convinced me to apply for Medicaid. I didn’t know it would cover addiction treatment. It did. Medicaid paid for my 30-day inpatient rehab program. It paid for my therapy sessions. It paid for the medication that helped me manage my cravings. Today, I am two years sober, I have a job, and I am rebuilding my relationship with my kids. Medicaid didn’t just save me from my addiction; it gave me back my life.

How Medicaid Allowed Me to Be a Full-Time Caregiver for My Dying Mother

The Last Gift I Could Give Her

My mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and her last wish was to die at home, not in a hospital. I quit my job to be her full-time caregiver. It was a beautiful, but difficult time. Her Medicaid plan made it possible. It covered her hospital bed and her oxygen equipment at home. It paid for a hospice nurse to come every day to help manage her pain. And because I had no income, I was able to get on Medicaid myself, so my own health was covered. It allowed me to give my mom her final wish.

A Letter to My Medicaid Caseworker: Thank You.

The Unsung Hero of My Story

Dear Ms. Garcia, You probably don’t remember me, but I was the frantic single mom who came into your office two years ago with a sick child and no insurance. You were the first person in the whole system who treated me with kindness, not judgment. You patiently walked me through the application. You explained my benefits. You called me back when you said you would. You are an unsung hero, sitting in a cubicle, processing endless paperwork. But I want you to know that your quiet competence and your simple decency changed my family’s life. Thank you.

The Day I Got My New Dentures: How Medicaid Gave Me My Smile Back

The Smile I Unwrapped Like a Christmas Present

I hadn’t been able to eat properly for years. My teeth were gone, and my health was suffering. As a low-income senior, I never dreamed I could afford dentures. My state’s adult Medicaid dental benefit changed that. After a long process of exams and fittings, the day finally came to pick up my new dentures. I unwrapped them like a precious gift. I put them in, and I looked in the mirror. For the first time in a decade, I saw a full, healthy smile. I cried. It wasn’t about vanity; it was about dignity.

I’m a Veteran. Here’s Why I Use Medicaid Alongside My VA Benefits.

My Two Shields Are Better Than One

I am a proud veteran, and I get my healthcare through the VA. The VA is great, but it’s not always convenient. The nearest VA hospital is two hours away. I learned that because my military disability pension is my only income, I also qualify for my state’s Medicaid program. Now, I have the best of both worlds. I use the VA for my major, ongoing care. But if I get the flu or need a quick check-up, I can go to a local doctor right in my own town who accepts Medicaid. It gives me flexibility and choice.

How Access to Mental Healthcare for My Teenager Saved Our Family

The Therapy That Brought My Son Back to Us

My teenage son was spiraling into a deep depression. He was angry, withdrawn, and we were losing him. We were terrified. Our family is on Medicaid, and we found a child psychologist who was in our network. The weekly therapy sessions, for him and for our whole family, became our lifeline. His therapist gave him the tools to manage his feelings. She gave us the tools to support him. It was a long, hard road, but today, he is smiling again. That free, accessible mental healthcare didn’t just save him; it saved our entire family.

From a High-Deductible Nightmare to $0 Co-Pays: My Health Insurance Story

The Day I Quit My “Bad” Insurance

For years, I paid for a high-deductible health plan on the marketplace. The premium was low, but the $8,000 deductible meant I never actually went to the doctor because I couldn’t afford it. It was a nightmare. Then, my income dropped when my hours were cut. I re-applied on the marketplace, and this time, I was eligible for Medicaid. The change was breathtaking. Suddenly, every doctor visit, every prescription, every blood test was covered with a zero co-pay. I finally had health insurance that I could actually use.

The Unspoken Relief of the Medicaid Card in Your Wallet

The Weight I Didn’t Know I Was Carrying

For most of my adult life, I lived without health insurance. I was young, healthy, and lucky. But there was always a low-grade hum of anxiety in the back of my mind. What if I got into a car accident? What if that mole on my back was something serious? The day my Medicaid card arrived in the mail, I put it in my wallet, and I felt a physical sense of relief. The hum of anxiety went silent. It was a weight I didn’t fully realize I had been carrying, and it was finally gone.

How My Child with Down Syndrome is Thriving Because of His Medicaid Waiver

The Therapies That Unlocked His Potential

Our son, who has Down syndrome, is a joy. He also needs a lot of support to thrive. He needs physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. Our private insurance had strict limits on the number of therapy visits they would cover. A social worker helped us apply for a Medicaid waiver for children with developmental disabilities. His Medicaid card now covers all the therapies his doctors recommend, with no arbitrary limits. It has been the key that has unlocked his potential. He is learning and growing every single day.

I Finally Got My Chronic Pain Under Control, Thanks to Medicaid

The Pain That Dominated My Life

I lived with debilitating chronic back pain for years. I couldn’t work. I couldn’t play with my kids. It ruled my life. I couldn’t afford the kind of comprehensive care I needed. When I was finally approved for Medicaid, everything changed. My plan covered not just a primary care doctor, but also physical therapy, chiropractic care, and visits with a pain management specialist. With this team approach, we finally found a combination of treatments that worked. I still have bad days, but the pain no longer controls my life. I do.

My Life with a Traumatic Brain Injury: How Medicaid Made Recovery Possible

The Long, Slow Road Back to Myself

A fall from a ladder left me with a traumatic brain injury. My personality changed. My memory was gone. My recovery has been a long, slow journey, and it would have been impossible without Medicaid. It covered my initial hospital stay and my inpatient rehabilitation. It now covers my weekly cognitive therapy, my sessions with a neurologist, and the medications I need to manage my symptoms. Medicaid has been with me every step of the way on the road back to myself. It’s the silent partner in my ongoing recovery.

The “Welcome Home” Kit: How My MCO Helped Me After a Long Hospital Stay

The Box That Showed They Cared

I came home after two weeks in the hospital, feeling weak and overwhelmed. A few days later, a box arrived from my Medicaid Managed Care plan. It was a “Welcome Home” kit. Inside, there was a digital blood pressure cuff, a pill organizer, and a simple guide to post-hospital recovery. A nurse from the plan called me to make sure I had made my follow-up appointment. It was a small gesture, but it meant the world. It showed me that my health plan didn’t just pay the bills; they actually cared about my safe recovery.

How Getting Hearing Aids Through Medicaid Reconnected Me to the World

The Day the World Turned Its Volume Back Up

For years, my world had been growing quieter. I would nod and smile during conversations because I couldn’t hear what my family was saying. I felt isolated and alone. I am a senior on both Medicare and Medicaid. I learned that while Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids, my state’s Medicaid program does. I got a hearing test and was fitted for a pair of new, digital hearing aids. The day the audiologist turned them on, the world came rushing back in full, clear sound. I could hear my granddaughter’s laugh again.

A Single Mom’s Story of Giving Her Kids a Healthy Start

The Check-Ups That Were My Peace of Mind

As a single mom working two jobs, my budget is stretched to the breaking point. There is no room for unexpected expenses. My two children are on our state’s CHIP program, which is a form of Medicaid. This has been my greatest peace of mind. I know that if one of them spikes a fever in the middle of the night, I can take them to urgent care without a second thought. I know that their annual check-ups and their vaccinations are always covered. It’s a safety net that lets me sleep at night.

How Medicaid Made it Possible for Me to Go Back to School

The Health Insurance That Was My Ticket to a Degree

I wanted to go back to community college to get a degree that would lead to a better job. But I couldn’t afford to quit my low-wage job because it provided my health insurance. Then, my state expanded Medicaid. I was able to enroll. With my health coverage secured, I was finally able to leave my dead-end job and enroll in school full-time. Medicaid was the bridge that allowed me to invest in my own future. In two years, I will have a degree and a career, and I will be a taxpayer who helps support the program that helped me.

The Ripple Effect: How My Stable Health Transformed My Family’s Life

When I Got Better, We All Got Better

For years, my chronic illness and the stress of the medical bills dominated our family’s life. I was sick, and my husband was constantly worried. When I finally got on Medicaid and my health stabilized, the ripple effect was amazing. I had the energy to help my kids with their homework again. My husband’s stress level went down, and he was able to focus better at his own job. We were able to laugh again. Securing my health didn’t just heal me; it healed my entire family.

Myths I Believed About Medicaid Before I Had to Use It

The Bogeyman That Became My Best Friend

I used to believe all the myths about Medicaid. I thought the doctors were bad, the waits were long, and that it was a system full of fraud. Then, I lost my job and had to apply for my kids. The reality was so different. We got a great pediatrician. We never had to wait for an appointment. And the program was a well-run, professional safety net. The experience taught me that the political rhetoric has nothing to do with the real-life experience of families who rely on this essential program.

How a Community Health Worker Became My Guardian Angel

The Guide Who Understood My World

I was trying to manage my diabetes, but I was also struggling with my housing and my job. The system was overwhelming. My Medicaid plan connected me with a “Community Health Worker.” She was from my own neighborhood and she spoke my language. She didn’t just talk about my blood sugar. She helped me apply for SNAP. She connected me with a job training program. She understood that my health was connected to my whole life. She wasn’t a doctor; she was a guide, an advocate, and a guardian angel.

The Most Important Thing Medicaid Gave Me Wasn’t Healthcare. It Was Hope.

The Light at the End of a Very Dark Tunnel

After I lost my business, I was in a very dark place. I had lost my savings, my confidence, and my sense of purpose. I felt like a failure. Getting approved for Medicaid was the first glimmer of light. It was a signal that I hadn’t been completely forgotten. It was a tangible piece of evidence that a safety net really did exist. The access to healthcare was crucial, of course. But the most important thing that little plastic card gave me was a sense of hope that things could, and would, get better.

I’m a “Sandwich Generation” Caregiver. Medicaid is a Lifeline for My Parents and My Kids.

The Program That Holds My Family Together

I am squeezed in the middle. I’m raising my own two children while also caring for my aging mother. It’s a constant juggling act, financially and emotionally. Medicaid is the program that holds my family together. My own children are on our state’s CHIP program, which ensures they get the care they need. And my mother is on long-term care Medicaid, which pays for her nursing home. Without this program, the financial weight of caring for both generations would be completely impossible. Medicaid is the silent, essential member of our family.

How Getting My Vision Corrected Allowed Me to Get My Driver’s License Back

The Glasses That Gave Me Back My Freedom

My driver’s license had been suspended because I couldn’t pass the vision test. I couldn’t afford an eye exam or glasses, so I was stuck relying on the bus. It made keeping a job incredibly difficult. When I got on Medicaid, the first thing I did was make an appointment with an optometrist. My exam and my new glasses were completely free. The next week, I went back to the DMV. With my new glasses, I passed the vision test with flying colors. Medicaid didn’t just give me glasses; it gave me back my independence.

The Story of a Small Town and the Hospital That Medicaid Keeps Open

The Biggest Employer in Town Runs on Medicaid

I live in a small, rural town. Our local hospital is more than just a place to go when you’re sick. It’s the biggest employer in the county. I learned that over half of the patients who walk through its doors are covered by Medicare or Medicaid. Without the reimbursement from these government programs, our hospital would have shut down years ago, like so many other rural hospitals have. Medicaid isn’t just a health plan for individuals; it’s a critical economic lifeline for entire communities like mine.

From Despair to Diagnosis: How Medicaid Finally Solved My Medical Mystery

The Answer I Couldn’t Afford to Find

For years, I suffered from a mysterious set of symptoms. I was exhausted, in constant pain, and no one could tell me why. I saw doctor after doctor on my high-deductible insurance, but I couldn’t afford the extensive testing they recommended. When I finally qualified for Medicaid, everything changed. I was able to see a top rheumatologist. He ordered a full panel of tests. After years of searching, I finally got a diagnosis: lupus. Medicaid gave me the one thing I so desperately needed: an answer.

The Quiet Heroes of Medicaid: A Tribute to Social Workers and Providers

The Faces Behind the Program

We talk about Medicaid as a “program,” but it’s really a network of people. It’s the hospital social worker who patiently walks a scared parent through a charity care application. It’s the Medicaid caseworker who stays late to process a renewal so a family doesn’t lose coverage. It’s the pediatrician in a community clinic who treats every child with love, regardless of their insurance card. These are the quiet, everyday heroes of the system. They are underpaid and overworked, but they are the ones who turn a government program into a human lifeline.

How My Son’s ABA Therapy Opened Up His World

The Key That Unlocked My Son’s Voice

When my non-verbal son was diagnosed with autism, his world was very small and full of frustration. His doctor prescribed intensive ABA therapy to help him communicate and learn social skills. The therapy was incredibly expensive, but it was covered by his Medicaid plan. After six months of hard work, he said his first word. Today, he is a chatty, happy little boy who is thriving in school. That therapy, made possible by Medicaid, didn’t just teach him to talk; it unlocked his entire world.

The Power of a “Warm Hand-Off”: How My Doctor Connected Me to a Housing Specialist

The Referral That Was More Than Just a Phone Number

I was homeless, and the stress was making my blood pressure dangerously high. My primary care doctor knew that no amount of medication could fix my underlying problem. Instead of just giving me a pamphlet, she made a “warm hand-off.” She walked me down the hall to the office of a housing specialist who was embedded in her clinic. She introduced us personally. That personal introduction from my trusted doctor gave me instant credibility with the housing specialist, and she worked tirelessly to help me find a safe place to live.

My First Sober Holiday Season, Made Possible by My Recovery Program

The Gift of Sobriety

For years, the holiday season was a time of chaos and drinking for me. I had burned every bridge and hurt everyone I loved. This year was different. I had just completed a 30-day rehab program, fully paid for by my Medicaid plan. I was attending my outpatient therapy sessions, also covered by Medicaid. This year, I was present. I was clear-eyed. I was able to look my family in the eye and be the son and brother they deserved. The greatest gift I have ever received is the gift of sobriety, and it’s a gift that Medicaid gave me.

How Getting My Medications Consistently Changed My Life with Bipolar Disorder

The Stability I Found in a Pill Bottle

Living with bipolar disorder used to be a rollercoaster of manic highs and crushing lows, largely because I couldn’t consistently afford my mood-stabilizing medications. I would skip doses or cut pills in half to make them last. When I was approved for Medicaid, that all changed. My medications were covered for a tiny, predictable co-pay. For the first time, I could take my medicine exactly as prescribed, every single day. That consistency has led to stability. The rollercoaster has finally slowed down, and I can live a normal, productive life.

The Day We Brought Our Medically Fragile Child Home From the Hospital

The Day Our House Became a Home Hospital

Our son was born with a serious heart condition and spent the first three months of his life in the hospital. The day we finally brought him home was both joyous and terrifying. He came home with a feeding tube, an oxygen tank, and a heart monitor. Our home became a hospital room. His Medicaid plan made it all possible. It covered the in-home nursing care we needed. It covered all the medical equipment and supplies. It allowed our son to be where he belonged: at home, with his family.

How I Navigated a High-Risk Pregnancy and Delivered a Healthy Baby Girl

My Partner in a Perilous Pregnancy

My pregnancy was deemed “high-risk” from the very beginning. I was so scared. My Pregnancy Medicaid plan became my partner in this journey. It gave me access to one of the best maternal-fetal medicine specialists in the state. I had check-ups twice a week. I had countless ultrasounds and tests to monitor the baby’s growth. When it was time, I delivered a beautiful, healthy baby girl via a safe, scheduled C-section. My high-risk pregnancy had a low-stress, happy ending, because Medicaid ensured I got the highest level of care.

The Dignity of Choice: How Medicaid at Home Kept My Father Out of a Nursing Home

The Home He Loved, The Care He Needed

My father’s dying wish was to stay in his own home. He was fiercely independent and terrified of a nursing home. But he was getting frail and needed more help than I could provide. We were able to get him on a Medicaid “Home and Community-Based Services” waiver. This program paid for a home health aide to come every day. It paid for a hospital bed in his living room. It gave him the dignity of choice. He was able to live his final year in the home he loved, surrounded by his memories.

I’m a Farmer. Here’s How Medicaid Saved Our Family Farm During a Health Crisis.

The Land We Almost Lost

My husband had a serious tractor accident during planting season. He couldn’t work for months. We had no income, and the hospital bills were piling up. We were afraid we would have to sell a piece of our family farm to survive. Because of the loss of income, our family qualified for our state’s Medicaid program. It covered all of my husband’s medical bills. It was the crucial safety net that allowed us to get through a devastating health and financial crisis without having to sell the land that has been in our family for generations.

The Long Road Back from a Stroke: A Medicaid Story

The Steps I Relearned, The Bills I Never Saw

The stroke hit me like a lightning bolt. In an instant, I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t talk, and I couldn’t feed myself. The road back has been long and slow. Medicaid has been my constant companion on that road. It covered my initial, life-saving hospital stay. It covered my inpatient rehab, where I learned to walk and talk again. It now covers my ongoing physical and speech therapy. Every small step I take on my own is a victory made possible by the comprehensive, long-term care my Medicaid plan provides.

How a Simple Pair of Glasses Changed My Child’s Future at School

The World Through a New Lens

My seven-year-old son was struggling in school. He was having trouble reading, and his teachers said he wasn’t paying attention. I thought he might have a learning disability. I took him to an eye doctor, a visit that was covered by his CHIP plan. It turned out he just couldn’t see. He had a very strong prescription. His plan covered his new glasses for free. The day he put them on, his whole world changed. He saw the leaves on the trees. And his reading level jumped two grades in six months.

My Life Before and After Getting Help for My PTSD

The War I Brought Home, and the Peace I Finally Found

I’m a combat veteran, and for years after I came home, I was fighting a private war with PTSD. I was angry, isolated, and drinking too much. The VA was overwhelmed, and it was hard to get consistent care. I was able to get on my state’s Medicaid program. It gave me access to a weekly therapy group with other veterans, run by a trauma specialist. Talking to other guys who understood was the first thing that ever helped. Medicaid gave me another option, another path to finding the peace I thought I had lost forever.

The Day the Surprise Medical Bill Came (And How Medicaid Made It Disappear)

The Bill for the Doctor I Never Even Saw

I went to an in-network ER for a bad cut on my hand. My Medicaid plan covered the visit. But a month later, I got a surprise bill for $800 from a doctor I didn’t recognize. He was the supervising ER physician, and his practice was out-of-network. I knew this was wrong. I called my Medicaid plan’s patient advocate. She told me this “balance billing” was illegal. She made one phone call to the doctor’s office on my behalf, and the phantom bill disappeared. My Medicaid plan was my shield against surprise bills.

How I Learned to Advocate for Myself in the Healthcare System

Finding My Voice

I used to be a passive patient. I would just nod and agree with whatever the doctor said. But navigating the Medicaid system taught me that I had to be my own best advocate. I learned to ask questions. I learned to read my own Explanation of Benefits. I learned to politely challenge a denial. I learned that I have rights. This journey didn’t just give me healthcare; it gave me a voice. I am now an empowered, informed partner in my own care, and that is a skill that will last a lifetime.

The Unlikely Friendship I Formed with My Medicaid Transportation Driver

The Driver Who Became My Friend

I have to go to dialysis three times a week, and my Medicaid plan provides a driver to take me. My driver’s name is Frank. At first, he was just the guy who picked me up. But over hundreds of rides, we started to talk. He told me about his grandkids. I told him about my health struggles. He became more than just a driver; he became a friend. He’s a kind, reliable presence in a difficult part of my life. The Medicaid transportation benefit didn’t just give me a ride; it gave me an unexpected and cherished friendship.

What People Don’t See: The Invisible Disabilities That Medicaid Covers

The Illness No One Can See

I have severe Crohn’s disease. To the outside world, I look perfectly healthy. But on the inside, I am often in excruciating pain and exhausted. My illness is invisible, but the costs are very real. The biologic medication I need to stay in remission costs thousands of dollars a month. My private insurance wouldn’t cover it. My Medicaid plan does. Medicaid understands that a disability isn’t always something you can see, like a wheelchair. It’s a crucial lifeline for people like me with serious, invisible chronic illnesses.

A Photo Essay: The Faces of Medicaid in America

The People, Not the Politics

(Image 1: A smiling baby in a car seat) Caption: My Medicaid plan gave me a free car seat to bring my daughter home safely. (Image 2: An elderly woman holding her husband’s hand in a nursing home) Caption: Medicaid allows me to know my husband is getting the care I can no longer provide. (Image 3: A young man in a wheelchair at his college graduation) Caption: The therapies and equipment my Medicaid waiver covered made this day possible. (Image 4: A construction worker with a hard hat) Caption: I work, but I don’t get insurance. Medicaid is my family’s health plan.

How I’m Paying It Forward After Medicaid Helped Me Get Back on My Feet

The Hand Up That I’m Now Extending

Medicaid was there for me during the lowest point of my life. Now that I have a good job and I’m back on my feet, I feel a deep need to pay it forward. I volunteer on Saturday mornings at a free clinic, helping people fill out their own Medicaid applications. I share my story and my knowledge. I want to be the person for them that I so desperately needed back then. I can’t pay back the program in dollars, but I can pay it forward by being a guide for the next person in need.

If I Could Say One Thing to the Lawmakers Who Control Medicaid, It Would Be This.

A Message from a Grateful Heart

To the lawmakers who vote on Medicaid funding: I want you to know that your decisions are not about line items on a budget. They are about my child’s ability to get his life-saving asthma medication. They are about my elderly father’s ability to stay in a safe nursing home. They are about my ability to work because I can get the mental health care I need. Please, when you are debating this program, remember us. Remember the real human lives that you hold in your hands. Thank you for this lifeline. Please keep it strong.