Medicaid
Syd Wurdeman: Surviving and Thriving with Medicaid
Syd Wurdeman relies on Medicaid to manage her on-going health care needs. She knows how difficult it is for people to stay covered during the stress of a major medical issue. For Syd, using Medicaid has been far more stable than relying on insurance through her employer or family members. With the possibility of new requirements and paperwork to keep Medicaid coverage, Syd worries that other people with disabilities will struggle to keep up and ultimately lose the care that they rely on to thrive.
Brian, a Philadelphia resident, has relied heavily on Medicaid for nearly two decades. Paralyzed at the age of 27 from gunshot wounds, he has spent nearly 20 years managing a series of serious health complications, including recurring bed sores and bone infections. Now, in his late 40s, the incoming Medicaid cuts aren't just unsettling, they are dangerous.
Jennifer Taskey has turned to Medicaid during some of the most challenging moments in her life. Now 41 and living in Cleveland, Ohio, with her three children, she reflects on how vital that support has been. For her, Medicaid has often meant the difference between stability and crisis, between receiving care and going without.
Amarin Reyny lives in a group home for disabled people in Maine where direct support professionals provide care 24/7 to help them with daily needs. They depend entirely on MaineCare, Maine’s Medicaid program, to cover nearly all their medical care and support services. 
Dr. Jessica Lee, a child clinical psychologist, specializes in working with neurodivergent individuals, including those with autism and ADHD. She provides therapy, evaluations and consultations as part of an interdisciplinary team for diverse, underserved youth and families. She also leads community outreach through a Department of Developmental Services (DDS) grant to support underserved racial and ethnic minority families. Medicaid budget cuts will severely limit the care Dr. Lee can provide.
Kelly's daughter Katelyn was born with Down Syndrome. Their family was able to access critical care like speech and physical therapy early in Katelyn's life from community programs that are largely funded by Medicaid. Without these services, Katelyn wouldn't have had the chance to thrive and her family would be financially ruined. 
Paul’s life has been defined by resilience. He grew up in a family of nine siblings. His father, a senior project manager in fluid mechanics at General Motors, worked until they wouldn’t let him anymore. Now in his late 60s, Paul still intends to work past 70. It is through the support of federal programs like Medicaid and Social Security that Paul has been able to continue working since he qualified for disability in 1994. But Paul’s access to Medicaid has not always been stable.
An Iowa resident, diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2007 at just 26 years old, Jennifer Marion's journey began with a terrifying symptom: sudden vision loss in her left eye. Though her sight eventually returned, MS has continued to shape her life in invisible but profound ways. 
Kay Marcel lives in Urbandale, Iowa, where she and her husband have spent a lifetime ensuring their son Joel can live a full, safe, and meaningful life. Joel is 46 years old and has Down syndrome, along with several health conditions that require daily monitoring and consistent care. 
Schmeeka Simpson, a 44-year-old mother of three, grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. Now living in Omaha, she works with the Nebraska Civic Engagement Table and serves as the policy fellow at the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation. In her roles, she helps shape advocacy efforts and community agendas. But long before her career in civic leadership began, Simpson’s early years were shaped by Medicaid.