Marquisha Williams: Building a Healthier Future With Medicaid’s Support

At 34 years old, Marquisha Williams lives in Omaha, Nebraska, determined to build a better life and break generational cycles. Born in Lincoln, she grew up in a family that didn’t have much. But through her strength and perseverance, she’s working toward a healthier and more stable future for herself and her family.

When the COVID-19 pandemic swept the country, Marquisha enrolled in Medicaid. “It has started a little after COVID hit, which has been very beneficial to me and my family, especially with the COVID hitting everyone like crazy,” she said. Not long after, she was diagnosed with high blood pressure, and Medicaid made it possible for her to afford the prescriptions she needed.

Her family prioritizes healthy eating, sticking to meals with high protein, low carbs, fruits and vegetables. Still, medical needs arise. “My son gets sick often like seem like every quarter he gets sick. We want to figure out what that is,” Marquisha said. “Going to doctors and doctors’ appointments becomes costly, but having Medicaid is like a relief. You know, we know that we can still get that medical coverage without having to stress about the medical bills that come with it.”

In January 2025, a car accident upended Marquisha’s life. Her vehicle was totaled, she lost her job, and on top of that, she suffered a serious leg injury. She had no idea how she’d get to follow-up appointments until her Medicaid specialist stepped in. “They come and get you. They come and pick you up from the doctor’s appointment. They take you back home. Anything that’s related to anything medical, they cover that for you,” she said.

Through that support, Marquisha could get the care she needed. “It was a blessing,” she shared.

Medicaid didn’t just help in the aftermath of her accident. It also supported her in managing a lifelong health issue: sleep apnea. “I remember my mom waking me up because I would stop breathing in my sleep,” Marquisha recalled. After discovering that she had inherited the condition from her father, she got the treatment she needed. “Medicaid covered the CPAP machine and the monthly replacements of the cushions and everything. And since then, I have been having so much energy. I have lost 31 pounds just from getting a better sleep at night, waking up more energized, ready to take on the world.”

For Marquisha, the thought of losing Medicaid is not just stressful. It’s terrifying. “I’ve been a hard worker all my life. I didn’t hold down a job over 10 years only to come into a situation where I totaled my car and lost my job. And now I’m not able to foot these bills. Now, I’m really dependent on Medicaid,” she said. “Now it’s causing more health issues because I’m stressed out.

Whether facing a serious injury, losing her job or managing chronic health conditions, Marquisha knows Medicaid is there to help pick up the slack. When life gets out of control, she knows Medicaid has her covered.