Medicaid makes it possible for Americans from all walks of life to get access to health care in times of need. Whether they are working families, children or the elderly, each of us knows someone who turned to Medicaid to care for themselves or loved ones.
Medicaid Makes it Possible
Families and caregivers from across the country discuss the positive impact Medicaid has had on their lives.
Stories
Submitted by: Providence St. Joseph Health
Oregon
It’s hard to put a price on your eyesight, but to Robin, 67, it’s the best gift she’s ever received. Thanks to Medicaid, she was able to get cataract surgery on both eyes and was no longer at risk of losing her vision.
From age 62 to 65, Robin relied on Medicaid, which covered her general health care and preventive needs. But her primary worry was cataracts and her failing eyesight. “I lived in dread of not being able to drive,” she says.
Fortunately for Robin, Medicaid covered the costs of cataract surgery in both eyes – for which she is profoundly grateful. “After I had the cataracts removed, my world opened up again,” she says. Severely myopic since age 7, she no longer relies on thick glasses or contacts.
Robin’s work history is in administrative positions, ending as a fundraising writer/researcher for nonprofit organizations. Her job was eliminated during the 2008 recession, and for five years she applied for temporary, full- and part-time positions, with little success.
After losing her employment-based medical insurance, Robin had difficulty accessing and paying for affordable health insurance because of a pre-existing heart condition and was paying off thousands of dollars in medical bills. It was during this time that her cataracts began to develop, which jeopardized her ability to work.
Robin finally moved to Oregon in 2013 to live with her sister. She managed on Social Security checks, some retirement savings, and her sister’s generosity and support.
In 2014 as she was applying for coverage through the Affordable Care Act, Robin learned she was eligible for Medicaid. She feels grateful for the quality of care she received under Medicaid. “I have probably never felt so unconditionally well cared for in my adult life,” she says. “In fact, I felt special. I knew I was getting the best quality of care.”
Today, Robin works part time doing administrative work for a health care agency’s wellness programs. Medicaid was a key factor in improving Robin’s overall quality of life. “Having Medicaid allowed me to focus on other parts of my life that I needed to strengthen,” she says.
Submitted by: SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital
St. Louis, MO
Pediatrician Heidi Sallee, MD shares how Medicaid makes it possible for hardworking parents to get the care they need for healthy children and how children’s hospitals rely on Medicaid to support cutting edge research and treatments that benefit everyone.
Submitted by: Providence St. Joseph Health
Oregon
The 45-year-old social media expert was diagnosed with Type II diabetes in 2005, and during part of her unemployment period she was covered by Oregon’s version of Medicaid – called the Oregon Health Plan. She says that the 18 months she was on Oregon Health Plan gave her new hope and new tools to get her diabetes under control.
“Prior to getting on OHP, my A1C – which is a three-month average of your blood glucose level – was at 13 percent. Normal is between 5 and 7 percent. So I had a lot of work to do,” remembers Tress. “I didn’t realize how far out of control my diabetes had gotten. Having access to the proper medicine and a care team made such a positive impact on my life. I felt better, I started losing weight and my overall well-being was much improved.”
Because her OHP provider referred Tress to an endocrinologist as part of the care team, she received the diabetes education she’d never had before. She even got special help to inject herself with insulin – a major achievement because she has a severe needle phobia.
“I got some of the best treatment of my life on OHP,” she says, adding that during that time she got her A1C level close to normal at 8.7 percent.
Today, Tress is employed, continues to manage her diabetes and no longer receives her care from Oregon Health Plan. “As a society, we need to change the idea that it’s shameful to ask for help,” she says. “Everyone needs help sometimes, and that includes having quality care and good health.”
Submitted by: Providence St. Joseph Health
California
It’s been a long, painful road for Stefanie who lost her husband, James, to ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) in November 2017. She was his full-time caregiver for more than three years and also supported him during earlier treatment for cancer.
When he died, Stefanie, 53, was left to deal with her grief – but also with the very real worry about how to manage her own health. She had worked in the home caring for her family for many years and lost her coverage when James passed away.
Stefanie turned to Jessica Duarte, who leads the community health insurance team at Providence Little Company of Mary in Torrance, Calif. Jessica had been very helpful with insurance issues during James’s long illness, and she was able to guide Stefanie in applying for Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program). When coverage began in February 2018, it was a relief for Stefanie.
At present, she has no major health issues and plans to use her Medicaid coverage mainly for preventive care.
“Having experienced and witnessed such a catastrophic illness, I have a new perspective on the absolute need for access to qualified and professional medical care,” says Stefanie. “This is particularly important for those who don’t have the financial resources to accommodate potentially life-threatening situations.”
In terms of the future, Stefanie is learning to be self sufficient and hopes to find a job with health care benefits within the next year. “Life always has a way of throwing us unexpected curveballs,” she says. “With the passing of my husband, I am so thankful to have peace of mind when it comes to my own health care until I can get back on my feet.”
Submitted by: Providence St. Joseph Health
Oregon
When Nancy fell 40 feet down a flight of stairs at work nearly two decades ago, she was thankful for her health insurance. That coverage helped pay for her many surgeries and long recovery – which included plates and screws in her arms and leg, fused bones in her foot and management of her chronic pain.
Later on, Nancy no longer had health insurance through her work, and she had to find another solution to keep herself healthy. Her daughter helped take care of her for several years.
Nancy enrolled in Medicare and then a few years later she enrolled in Medicaid. These government programs have been a lifesaver for Nancy, although she grew concerned about the amount of medication she was taking for her chronic pain. She wanted to reduce her pain with fewer medications, and she also wanted to get her diabetes under better control.
In 2016, Nancy joined Providence ElderPlace and today, at age 75, lives in a residential care community in Portland, Ore. Medicaid and Medicare pay for her care, which includes getting her diabetes under control, receiving acupuncture to help with pain and mobility issues, and taking steps to reduce her reliance on pain medications. With oversight from ElderPlace clinicians, she has made great strides in achieving those goals and improving her quality of life – something she couldn’t have done without support from Medicaid and Medicare.
Asked what would happen to her if she lost her insurance, Nancy looks up and says firmly, “I would be out on the streets.”
Submitted by: Holy Cross Health - Trinity Health
Silver Spring, M
Huan’s family never knew about Medicaid, until...
Both parents lost their jobs at the same time, losing their insurance to protect themselves and their three daughters. Even though both parents were highly educated (a Ph.D. and two Masters degrees), and every family member was very active, often playing soccer or participating in marathons, they knew the security of medical insurance was important. Medicaid made it possible to restore the Zhang’s sense of security, by providing their high school and elementary school age kids with primary care, an allergist, and dental visits. Their Medicaid providers have been professional and friendly, making it possible for them to continue living a healthy life while figuring out their next professional steps.
Submitted by: Providence St. Joseph Health
California
By Nisha Morris
My 9-year-old daughter, Nathasha gets lifesaving care thanks to a California Medi-Cal waiver. She has a very rare (about 1,000 in the world) genetic condition which causes her to stop breathing when she sleeps. When she’s awake, she’s breathing. When she is asleep, she needs help to breathe. It’s a complicated medical condition: cchsnetwork.org
As her parents, our reality is that if Nathasha falls asleep without being connected to the right medical equipment, she will die. Every. Single. Day. I’m not complaining. As a mom, I’ve gone through the process of mourning-accepting-embracing and finally empowering.
My husband and I do well. He has his own business. I have a great career. We are both highly educated. We have great health insurance – we pay our premiums, deductibles, out of pocket costs for doctor visits, and more. We don’t take advantage of the system.
We are not poor. But we are vulnerable.
Nathasha’s condition is such that we cannot keep her alive on our own. Randy and I rely on Medi-Cal for her nursing support and medical equipment because our insurance doesn’t cover these major expenses. The cost is just too big for us – or pretty much anyone.
It’s through federally funded programs like in-home support services that she is able to live a more independent life – attend school, play with friends, go places. The help we receive through nursing support fills the gap when we feel like we can’t go on anymore. We’re up six or seven times every night answering breathing alarms. In the morning, when our nurses arrive, we debrief them on Nathasha’s medical issues during the night and then head out to begin our "normal" work routine.
Our nurses are a very important piece to Nathasha's health and well- being.
We are a real family that has real needs. If we lost the support from Medi-Cal, we would adjust. One of us will quit our job, and stay home to care for Nathasha. We will sell our home, our cars and other assets without hesitation. It's not about our lifestyle. It's about our daughter's health. Medicaid matters.
Submitted by: Providence St. Joseph Health
New Mexico
Ever since he was little, my younger brother has always been one of the smartest and most charismatic people I know. His smile can light up any room. As children in New Mexico, we were close with two very loving parents.
At the time I went off to college, Don had been struggling with depression, and as some young teenagers can do, he was mixed up with the wrong crowd. One of the biggest fears of any parent – or older sibling, for that matter.
At 14, he started drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana and cocaine. Our parents tried everything they could to help their son. From getting him counseling to reminding him every day just how much they loved him. They also sought out both inpatient and outpatient rehab treatments.
Don was on our mother’s private insurance where the costs of inpatient rehab services were only covered for 30 days. The rest is out of pocket. Like any other disease, mental illness can be short-term or long-term. The problem was, Don’s illness was longer term.
He hit rock bottom. While high, he committed a crime that landed him on probation. After several substance abuse probation violations, he found himself in prison. Sadly, that was the only place where he had access to ongoing treatment.
After serving his time, Don and our parents realized that he no longer qualified for private insurance because he had been in prison. In an effort to maintain his five-year stretch of sobriety and thrive long-term, he was able to enroll in Medicaid.
Today, Don is still clean, and hustles every day as a restaurant assistant manager making a good, honest wage. His goal is to become a full-time manager, so he can receive full benefits.
When I asked my brother about sharing his story, he said, “Cool. Love you, Sis. Thanks for all your love and support. One day at a time. Sometimes one second at a time.”
Submitted by: Providence St. Joseph Health
Alaska
From the mother of a premature baby:
When my son was born, he was 10 weeks early and needed immediate delivery to survive. It was 23 years ago and he developed some severe complications. He was very tiny and was in the neonatal intensive care unit for three months.
Then, after discharge, he needed a special apnea monitor to make sure he was breathing. Even with all of our efforts to keep him well, there were many doctor appointments and frequent re-hospitalizations.
My husband’s salary and insurance could not begin to cover the medical bills. Medicaid stepped in to help with costs. We were and are so grateful that we could focus on helping our son grow without worry.
Today, he is thriving and ready to graduate college as a teacher … all because of our love, excellent health care, and the gift of Medicaid.
Submitted by: Providence St. Joseph Health
Oregon
One spring day in 2012, Harold was heading to the grocery store when he says “everything went black.” He passed out and lay on the sidewalk until an elderly couple found him. He was taken to a Portland hospital and learned he’d had a major stroke. Six days later he went into rehab.
He had worked for years as a building engineer but had recently been laid off. He says, “I had no insurance. I had nothing.” His sister helped him get enrolled in Medicaid, which became his lifeline for treatment.
Reflecting on that tough time, he sits in his tidy and comfortable studio apartment at Providence ElderPlace in Portland, Oregon. “It was bad. Very bad.” He gazes at the many family photos on his walls. “I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t talk,” He needed eight months of intensive therapy. Most of that time he was in a wheelchair and couldn’t talk clearly, but he was determined. “I wanted independence.”
Today, Harold can stand steadily and use a walker. He communicates easily. After completing intensive physical and speech therapy, he continues to have independent therapy, with oversight from ElderPlace clinicians, to maintain his excellent progress. Best of all, he enjoys visits from his large extended family who live close by. “My family is tight,” he says, his eyes shining.
When asked what his life would be like without Medicaid, this lifelong Oregonian simply says, “I would be dead.”
Submitted by: Providence St. Joseph Health
Seattle, WA
Medicaid was the answer...
Sylvia suffered a massive stroke while only in her 50s. Sylvia ran a successful health care consulting business, traveled extensively, exercised regularly and thought she had great medical insurance. Until, that is, when stroke turned her world turned upside down overnight. When the cap on her private insurance ran out for services, a social worker referred her to Medicaid and the high-quality nursing care and assisted living at Providence Mount St. Vincent in Seattle. Today, she lives happily and productively thanks to coverage she has from Medicaid.
Submitted by: SSM DePaul Medical Center
St. Louis, MO
Andreae Hampton was a contract worker who didn’t have full coverage health benefits … it was the only time in her life that while working that she didn’t have insurance. When she got pregnant, she couldn’t afford prenatal care. That is, until Andreae went to the OB Care Center at SSM DePaul Medical Center in St. Louis that helped her get Medicaid coverage. Andreae’s physician, Dr. Carolyn Pryor, medical director of the center, said Medicaid made it possible for Andreae to get comprehensive prenatal care that helped her have a healthy baby … and made it possible for Dr. Pryor to be happy about helping many women cared for at the center who thought they had nowhere to go.
Submitted by:
Providence St. Joseph Health
California
They grew up together, becoming good friends. When the time came for college, Rochelle’s dream was teaching, and Ryan’s was the movie industry. They ventured out in different directions and in new social circles. After graduation, they reconnected and fell in love. Marriage vows led to shared dreams and they eventually moved to Los Angeles.
At age 27, Ryan had already directed and produced several films. Their move to LA gave him the opportunity to learn more, starting with freelance projects. Rochelle found work as a first grade teacher at a private school for girls. Her salary was on the low side, but they got by. Neither had health care insurance.
The couple loved LA and could not imagine a more perfect life ... until their dream became even sweeter. They found out they were having a baby.
With California’s high cost of living, Ryan’s freelance work and Rochelle’s teacher salary were not enough to cover prenatal and postpartum care. The costs got even higher when Rochelle needed an emergency cesarean section and had to stay in the hospital. They needed temporary help. So, for a short time, mom and baby were insured by Medicaid.
The family was grateful for the coverage, which gave them peace of mind and enough room in their small budget to meet basic needs. Medicaid became a short-term safety net that meant a healthy start for their new baby and regular care for Rochelle.
Today, they are back in their home town in New Mexico, raising their children close to extended family. The cost of living is much lower, which has helped Ryan nurture his small film business into a successful venture. Rochelle is a part-time working mom with her own real estate business.
As a maternal and fetal specialist at Mercy Hospital Saint Louis, Dr. James A. Bartelsmeyer knows that healthy mothers can help ensure healthy babies and that having access to Medicaid is a crucial program for expectant mothers who might not elsewise be able to afford prenatal care.
Submitted by: CHA
Columbia, MO
Following a family tragedy and while in optometry school, Jill Radkowiec had an unexpected pregnancy. While a joyous time for her and her husband, they needed to get on Medicaid for her to finish school and become a Medicaid provider herself.
Submitted by:
Providence St. Joseph Health
Washington
At the age of 30, Jennifer was unexpectedly widowed. The future was suddenly uncertain for her and two young daughters, who were then ages 9 and 3.
Six months earlier, Jennifer and her husband Lance were looking at a very different life ahead. They decided that she would pursue her dream of completing an undergraduate degree. Excited, she left her job and restarted her education while Lance became the family’s sole breadwinner. His employment with the State of Washington provided medical and other benefits to support their well-being.
Lance, in his 30s and in seemingly good health, was completely unaware he had a blood clot. Tragically, in December 2002, the clot abruptly took his life. Amid the grief and upheaval, Jennifer’s access to medical benefits ended all too quickly. Like many families starting out, they had not yet built a financial nest egg and now Jennifer and her girls had also lost their access to health care.
Not having health insurance was risky personally, but it was an outright crisis for Jennifer to have lost access to affordable care for her children. As a mom, she just had to find a way to get the care her girls needed. Thankfully, Medicaid programs filled the gap until, as Jennifer says today, “I was able to get my feet under me again, and move forward with a job that offered health insurance.” Ultimately her road led to work in health care as a communications professional.Reflecting on her journey and her career, Jennifer says, “I am passionate about the care we provide at Providence Health & Services for those who are poor and vulnerable because I intimately identify with them.”
Submitted by:
Mercy Hospital St. Louis
St. Louis, MO
Tierra N. Gleeson, LMSW, is a pediatric social worker at Mercy Hospital Saint Louis who understands the critical importance of the resources she can connect her clients to through the Medicaid program because as a child, her mother was better able to provide for Tierra’s needs as a Medicaid recipient.
Submitted by:
Children's Hospital of San Antonio - CHRISTUS Health
San Antonio, TX
When he was four months old, Jacari's mother was told that he was not going to be able to walk or talk. He had many health issues and spent much time in hospitals. The family moved to San Antonio and received care from Children's Hospital of San Antonio, a part of CHRISTUS Health. He is now a sophomore in high school, a sports trainer and honor roll student.
Jacari and his mother Norencia recently joined advocacy leaders from CHRISTUS Health in Washington, D.C. to tell his story discuss the importance of Medicaid and the impact of the program on his and others' lives.
"I'm not just thinking about my son. I'm thinking of the impact on other kids who could be in worse situations than he is in. And I'm thinking about the impact of Medicaid that means so much to so many different families. If my son did not have those services, I don't know how far his health needs would have become at this point."
Submitted by:
Providence Hospital - Ascension
Washington, D.C.
The Perry Family Health Center of Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C. is a full-service healthy-oriented family provider. The facility has been in existence for twenty-two years and treats Medicaid patients ranging from single adults to families and elderly patients. Without Medicaid, many important health services would no longer be available in the community.
"Without Medicaid, we would not exist here...this facility provides health care, psychiatric care and also social services...counseling about drug addiction, about smoking cessation, and about weight loss. (Without Medicaid) those services would cease to exist."
Dr. Shiban Raina
S
ubmitted by: Benedictine Health
Duluth MN
The Benedictine Living Community of Duluth is a senior care facility where seventy-five percent of the residents end up on medical assistance. Senior care is costly, and Medicaid allows Benedictine to provide these seniors the respectful care they need in their later years.
Submitted by: Mercy
St. Louis, MO
Submitted by:
Catholic Charities of Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
"Almost every one of our pregnant clients looking to place their child for adoption is on Medicaid/Soonercare. This is important for the prenatal care that they can access, as well as having the means to cover the hospital delivery expenses prior to their relinquishment. The impact in terms of healthy moms, babies and delivery is huge."
- Aimee Ryan, Director of Adoption and Social Work at Catholic Charities of Oklahoma City
Submitted by:
Light of Hearts Villa
Bedford, Ohio
Elizabeth Hickle, Executive Director of Light of Hearts Villa: “Our residents are very special folks. They have worked hard all their lives, saving up money for their retirement. When all of a sudden, an event such as a fall causes them to not be able to return home. What are they to do? When they come to Light of Hearts Villa, they know that if they outlive their financial resources, we are there to help them. Our social work coordinator works with the resident and family in applying for the Medicaid waiver program for Assisted Living Facilities. To that end, we are able to retain the resident's dignity and they are able to remain at the Villa. We believe in the Medicaid waiver program for Assisted Living Facilities and are grateful for the blessings that this program provides for our residents who will no longer have to worry about their finances. We light the way for senior care at Light of Hearts Villa and with the support of Medicaid, we can reassure our residents that they will be taken good care of, receive excellent nursing care and have the pleasure of delicious meals, housekeeping and laundry services. As a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System, Cleveland, Ohio, Light of Hearts Villa is blessed with their support and we honor our residents in our Mission Statement: We are devoted to providing premier senior residential living and community outreach services. Through our faith-based values, we affirm the integrity of each person and encourage them on their journey of aging. Thank you for this beautiful opportunity to share our story. “
Submitted by:
Regina Health Center and the Sisters of Charity Health System
Richfield, Ohio
Regina Health Center in Richfield, Ohio, is a 5-star quality skilled nursing and assisted living facility that provides compassionate health care services to residents seeking a faith-based environment. Residents include members of religious communities, clergy and lay people.
Marjorie is one of the lay people who call Regina Health Center home—and one of the more than 60 percent of residents who rely on Medicaid to receive the holistic care this Catholic ministry provides so they can age with dignity while receiving the care they need.
Marjorie came to Regina Health Center in 2015 after the assisted living facility where she had lived changed owners. She had been paying for care out of pocket, but at the age of 92, she knew her funds wouldn’t last long. She said she was thrilled to learn she could stay in Regina Health Center’s Assisted Living through the Ohio Medicaid Assisted Living Waiver Program. Without it, she would have been forced to give up more of her independence and move into the skilled nursing area at Regina Health Center. The waiver program was available to her because Marjorie’s care would cost less than in skilled nursing.
After a lifetime of raising three boys and working as a secretary and office manager, Medicaid allows Marjorie to receive the care she needs while maintaining independence in a God-centered, quality continuum of care facility. Her son Ted volunteers at Regina Health Center, serving as a lector and Eucharistic minister at Sunday Mass.
“I feel very blessed and lucky to be able to stay where I’ve always enjoyed being,” Marjorie added.
Submitted by:
Providence St. Joseph Health
Anchorage, Alaska
There’s not much Jackie wouldn’t do for her mom Irene. When Irene’s chronic illnesses became worse and she couldn’t afford the growing medical bills, Jackie jumped in to help.
“I could be in debt to help her and that’s OK, as long as I could still see my mom alive … for life is precious and we do our best to sustain that special gift,” says Jackie, who helped Irene, now 66, get access to care through various assistance programs. Jackie helped pay her mom’s medical bills for a while before costs overwhelmed the family budget.
For 10 years, Irene worked as a greeter at a large retailer in Anchorage before she had to quit in 2013 because of her health issues – including asthma, hypertension, diabetes, and a gastrointestinal condition called GERD. Before her job in retail, Irene had worked years ago in her native Philippines as a farmer and later owned a grocery store and restaurant. She was used to hard work.
When Irene’s health worsened, Jackie – a nurse and quality analyst at Providence Alaska Medical Center – did everything she could to piece together her mom’s health care. Starting in 2013, Jackie arranged for an installment plan to pay the medical bills, applied for medication assistance, and used coupons and discounts available from some drug companies. But that wasn’t enough.
Fortunately, Denali Care, Alaska’s Medicaid program, broadened eligibility in the fall of 2015, allowing Irene to qualify for coverage. “I had prayed for Medicaid,” says Jackie. “I can’t tell you how thankful we were for Mom to have it,” she says. For three years Irene received her care through Denali Care and now is covered through Medicare after qualifying at age 65. Today, Irene feels better, and her complex health conditions largely are under control.
“Those three years of having Medicaid coverage not only helped with our budget, but it also removed the stress and anxiety for my mom and me,” says Jackie. “Health care is a basic right. Someone who is healthier and has an improved life … this also improves the community.”
Submitted by:
Providence St. Joseph Health
Syracuse, New York
For 18 years, Julie loved working as a residency coordinator in the orthopedics department of a large teaching hospital in Syracuse, New York. It was more than just a job. She describes herself as the “den mother” to hundreds of orthopedic residents – physicians in training – at the hospital. She begins crying when she talks about them.
In 2016 Julie began experiencing excruciating pain in her right arm. It turned out to be nerve damage from repetitive injury due to decades of typing. She had surgery in August 2017 and was scheduled to be off work for three weeks.
Instead, it’s been more than a year. The nerve damage most likely is permanent, and Julie can no longer do this type of work.
After a year of being on medical disability through her employer, Julie was terminated because medically she couldn’t work. That’s when she started panicking. She also ended up on blood pressure medication because of the stress.
“I’m 52 years old, and I’ve worked hard my whole life,” she says, beginning at age 11 when she delivered newspapers six days a week. She had worked at the hospital in a variety of clerical roles for nearly 30 years.
After she lost her job, Julie applied for unemployment insurance and Medicaid. She began receiving her health coverage through Medicaid in July 2017.
“Everyone at Medicaid and my doctors’ offices has been so nice and compassionate. It’s been a godsend,” Julie says. She’s received care for preventive care through her primary doctor, but not for specialty care since not all doctors accept Medicaid.
“I really want to work. I can’t do office jobs, and I also have a medical restriction that says I can’t lift more than 10 to 20 pounds,” says Julie. “That’s been a deterrent in my job searches.” She’s applied for various positions but all have lifting requirements. She’s also taken advantage of vocational rehabilitation training to learn new work skills.
Meanwhile, she’s very grateful for Medicaid and is continuing to search for a job and new purpose in her life.
“I can’t do the same work I loved for so many years. But I still have one really strong arm and two strong legs.”
Submitted by:
Providence St. Joseph Health
Oregon
David has a lot to live for. At age 69, he has six adult children, 20 grandkids and 11 great-grandkids. He also has his beloved martial arts that he began practicing in his 20s and still continues today.
In 2009 David collapsed at home and lay there until his daughter found him. He had suffered a stroke, which landed him in the hospital for two months, affected his right side and limited his ability to walk. While in the hospital one of his daughters and a social worker at Providence Portland Medical Center helped enroll him in CareOregon, a Medicaid program. Although David worked hard his whole life, he couldn’t afford a lengthy hospital stay or the rehabilitation and medication he needed afterward to continue healing.
David is proud to be a native Oregonian. He worked at a variety of interesting jobs during his career – at Freightliner, as a city land surveyor and parks employee, at a beauty supply store and at an airline catering company.
In true Oregon pioneer spirit, he doesn’t want to be a burden to others. Medicaid has helped him maintain his independence and his health. One way he stays healthy is to get as much exercise as he can – going on walks and practicing martial arts twice a week. He began practicing kung fu in his 20s and today is working on a third-degree black belt in taekwondo.
With an easy smile and outgoing personality, David is quick to acknowledge that, in many ways, he’s a lucky man. He has a loving family to help when he needs it, he’s recovered well from his stroke and he’s able to live fairly independently. He appreciates that Medicaid was there for him.
“I don’t think I would have survived without having Medicaid’s helping hand,” says David. “It’s a lifeline for people like me.”
Submitted by:
Maternal Child Care Clinic of CHRISTUS Health
Port Arthur, Texas
Better prenatal care means a healthy baby! When Mom Nisaya first discovered she was pregnant, she was very nervous. It was her first time to be pregnant, and she did not know what to do for good care, and she only speaks Spanish. That was when a friend referred her to the Maternal Child Care Clinic of CHRISTUS Health in Port Arthur, Texas. She knew she needed a good OB physician and with CHRISTUS her prayers were answered. She loved everything about the clinic and upon her first visit she noticed how clean and sanitary everything looked. That was important to her. She did not know anything about being pregnant, but the CHRISTUS clinic associates were able to explain everything to her.
Eventually her time came and at 2 a.m. in the morning she began having labor pains. She immediately went to the hospital and upon arriving she was so happy to find that they were expecting her. Because she was pre-registered, her visit was smooth sailing. Everything was ready for her. In 13 hours she had a healthy baby boy! Next came lactation training so that she could learn how to breastfeed her baby. Now she is so happy to recommend CHRISTUS to her friends because they helped her so much and she learned so much. She wants to thank everyone at the clinic and the whole team for their support, dedication, and the time they devoted to her needs. Medicaid made it possible to open this clinic!
Submitted by:
Providence St. Joseph Health
Washington
Rhonda Medows, MD, FAAFP discusses Providence St. Joseph Health's belief that health is a human right and the importance of the Medicaid program. A former Medicaid recipient, Dr. Medows shares her childhood story of how her working parents depended on the program to provide the treatment she needed.
Submitted by:
Providence St. Joseph Health
California
Just months after her 24th birthday, Chauntal Lewis was driving away from a friend’s house one morning when a semi-truck slammed into her car. She lost her left hand on impact and was rushed to a UCLA hospital, where surgeons tried for several hours to reattach her hand. “That day my life changed forever,” she reflects. “The doctor wept when she gave me the news that they were unsuccessful.”
At the time, Chauntal was pursuing a professional acting career in Los Angeles. She had always been in excellent health and, like most young adults, she assumed that would continue. She had recently aged out of eligibility through her parents’ coverage and had few affordable options for health insurance. As a result, on the day of that terrible accident, she arrived at the hospital gravely injured and uninsured.
As devastating as it was to lose her hand, Chauntal woke up after surgery grateful just to be alive. She dug deep for inner strength and continued pursuing her dreams with, she says, “the gift of perspective.”
But along the way, Chauntal faced serious struggles – physical, emotional, and financial.
From her first day in the hospital, the medical bills began piling up. Her treatment journey since the accident required several surgeries, hundreds of follow-up appointments, and numerous medications.
Without health insurance, Chauntal faced huge medical bills that she could not pay. Nor could she find a health insurance plan that would accept her. After the failure of a lawsuit to recover her medical costs, the debt collectors kept calling.
In the middle of this discouragement, Chauntal was surprised and thankful to learn she qualified for Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program) which paid almost all of her medical bills dating back to her initial hospital stay after the accident. Medi-Cal coverage also allowed Chauntal to get follow-up surgery that she desperately needed to treat nerve damage in her left arm that gave her nearly constant pain.
“At that time, I had no other choice” than to enroll in Medi-Cal, she says. “No one else would accept me. Without Medi-Cal, I didn’t know if there was any other option to get that surgery, which was just life-changing.”
In the years since the accident, Chauntal has resumed her acting career, taken up marathon running, deepened her yoga practice, and developed a thriving business as a celebrity makeup artist. “Makeup artistry is so rewarding,” she says, “I just love making women feel beautiful.” Combined with a recurring role on the TV show General Hospital, and with running and yoga to stay balanced, life, she says, is good.
Medicaid stood in the gap for Chauntal while she rebuilt her life at a very vulnerable time.