Orion Ortolf is a 37-year-old living in Lewiston, Maine. They are currently a full-time student earning a master’s degree in social work to become a clinical therapist. Orion became uninsured when they aged out of their parent’s coverage at 26 until they were accepted to Maine’s Medicaid program, MaineCare, several years later. For those years […]
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Deanna Lucero, Colorado
In the heart of Colorado’s San Luis Valley, Deanna Lucero lives in the rural town of Alamosa with her three children. Her youngest, Isaiah, is three years old, autistic and nonverbal. She describes him as “so full of potential, if given the chance.” For Isaiah, that chance comes through Medicaid. Thanks to Medicaid, Isaiah receives […]
Stephanie Conklin, Pennsylvania
Stephanie Conklin is a special education teacher for kindergarten and first grade students in the School District of Philadelphia who specializes in autistic support. She sees firsthand how Medicaid cuts affect more than just health care, they touch classrooms, educators and, more importantly, children. “Most of my students have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and they are […]
Deborah Blankenship Galloway, Georgia
Deborah Blankenship Galloway lives in rural Troup County, Georgia. She is medically retired from her job in medical billing but worked across counties throughout the state of Georgia during her career. Now, she lives with major mobility issues along with respiratory failure, heart failure, CKD stage 3, diabetes, gout, asthma, allergies, osteoarthritis and pinched nerves. […]
Wanda Bankston, Georgia
Wanda Bankston lives in DeKalb County, Georgia. After a career as a heavy equipment operator for Fulton County Government where she had employer sponsored insurance, Wanda now utilizes Medicaid for her coverage. After an on-the-job accident close to her retirement, she had to have back surgery to replace two discs. As of 2025, she still […]
Laura G, Missouri
For nearly a decade, Laura G., a mom in Missouri, has fought to get her daughter the health care she needs. Her daughter Annie, now nine, was born with a rare blood-clotting disorder and suffered a stroke as an infant, resulting in life-long health complications. At the time, Laura and her husband both worked, but neither of their […]
Melinda Moses, West Virginia
Melinda Moses lives in Huntington, West Virginia. Back in 2006, in her mid-thirties, Melinda became disabled, and since 2009 she has been utilizing Medicaid. She says without it, “I would not be able to have access to my doctors. I would not have access to medications. I would not have access to medical care at […]
Danielle Fazio, North Carolina
Danielle Fazio is a private mental health trauma therapist based in Wilmington, North Carolina. Since starting her practice just over a year ago, she has become one of only eight private providers in her area who accept Medicaid. Danielle specializes in treating trauma as well as anxiety disorders. About 60 to 75 percent of her patients rely […]
Valerie MacIver, Massachusetts
Valerie MacIver works at the Disability Resource Center in Salem, Massachusetts. Living with a disability since early childhood, she has faced lifelong challenges. As she grew older, even with the support from her parents and teachers, she believes she lacked the education to understand what her disability would mean long term. At 18, Valerie began […]
Ashley Elliott, New York
In 2014, Ashley gave birth to her son at just 35 weeks, 5 weeks short of full term. At first, everything seemed fine, but within moments, the situation turned critical. Her newborn turned blue and was rushed to the NICU. Just days later, doctors delivered devastating news: “We got informed he had one of the most […]