Medicaid: It's Personal

The fight to save Medicaid often gets bogged down in abstract terms and politics that can make policymakers forget what Medicaid is really about: people. At its heart, Medicaid is about the people who rely on it to meet their medical needs or, in many cases, to stay alive. Families USA has launched a new campaign that brings the focus of this fight back to the people who rely on Medicaid. The campaign is called Medicaid: It's Personal.

	Barbara's story "Bryan now receives 24-hour care. I try to do the best I can . . . Without Medicaid I don't know what would happen . . ." Barbara Klaes Minnesota Medicaid enrollee		Donna's story "Amy is 25 years old and mentally challenged. Without MaineCare . . . it would be devastating." Donna Honan Maine Medicaid enrollee
	Sharon's story "When Joshua was three days old, he was diagnosed with a rare liver disease. Without Medicaid I don't know what would have happened . . ." Sharon VanMechelen Oregon Medicaid enrollee		Catrina's story "Without Medicaid I would not be able to take care of my son. I would die without my medications." Catrina Weber Ohio Medicaid enrollee
	Margie's story "I am grateful to the Medicaid program because I am able to take care of my son in my community." Margie Austin Pennsylvania Medicaid enrollee		Larry's story "I paid my taxes and Social Security . . . This nursing home is my home and I don't want anything to happen to it." Lawrence Gebhard, Sr. Minnesota Medicaid enrollee
	Beth's story "Jason is a three-year-old . . . one of 31,000 children with disabilities in Ohio covered by the Medicaid program." Beth Rodgers Ohio Medicaid enrollee		Sheri's story " . . . a mother of a child with disabilities . . . without Medicaid we could not afford to have Aidan." Sheri Stapler Oregon Medicaid enrollee
	John's story "It remains a blessing to have him qualify for Medicaid . . . into a facility where he is well cared for." John Gardner Maine Medicaid enrollee		Lisa's story "What kind of country is this. . . if we are willing to cut money that saves people's lives?" Lisa Padilla Pennsylvania Medicaid enrollee
	Mike's story " . . . my quality of life is threatened . . . I don't see how I would survive." Mike Volpe Oregon Medicaid enrollee		Stephanie's story " . . . mother of two kids . . . my husband Harry is now disabled . . . thank God for Medicaid." Stephanie Boynton Maine Medicaid enrollee
	Ruth's story " If I lose Medicaid . . . I would die." Ruth Golden Pennsylvania Medicaid enrollee		Jeff's story " . . . legally blind and mentally challenged . . . He lives independently thanks to Medicaid." Jeff Purdom Ohio Medicaid enrollee
	Eleanor's story " . . . I'm 87 . . . If it weren't for Medicaid I don't know what I would do. Who would take care of me?" Eleanor Kulker Minnesota Medicaid enrollee

Stories from The TennCare Drive to Save Lives

In March 2005, the TennCare Saves Lives Coalition sponsored "The Drive to Save Lives" campaign, an effort to raise public awareness about the harmful consequences of the TennCare cuts proposed by Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen. Read the stories of TennCare enrollees and more

What You Can Do

Call Your Senators: In order to preserve Medicaid, we need to make sure that the final version of the federal budget contains no cuts to Medicaid. Call your Senators and ask them to oppose any Medicaid cuts in the budget and to tell the Senate leadership that they cannot support a budget with Medicaid cuts. You can still use our toll-free number: 1-800-828-0498.

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