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Tina Witowsky, age 20, suffered a brain trauma, similar to a massive stroke, four years ago. Following months of critical care, multiple surgeries, and intensive rehabilitation, Tina was able to come home, but she needs extensive in-home services and supports, which her private health insurance stopped covering. Without Medicaid, Tina’s mother would have had to move Tina into a nursing home, or leave her job to care for Tina full-time, sell her house, and find…
Kay Dickerson, age 57, is a Hurricane Katrina survivor. After the storm, Kay and her husband, Tom, relocated to Portland, Oregon. During her intake at the welcome center, Kay, who had long been uninsured, was diagnosed with anxiety, depression, PTSD, high blood pressure, and diabetes. She was guided to a community health center and the staff there helped her apply for the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), Oregon
Matthew Bardgett, age 50, was left paraplegic by a car accident at age 19. Matt ultimately returned to work, but with no coverage offered through his job, and unable to get private coverage due to his pre-existing condition, he remained uninsured for 20 years. For cost reasons, Matt often delayed getting needed care. In 2002, Matt enrolled in Kansas’ Working Healthy program, which enables working individuals with disabilities to get Medicaid by paying a premium.…
Caleb Garcia, age 5, was born with impaired hearing and vision, developmental delays, and physical disabilities, all due to a virus that his mother contracted during her pregnancy. Caleb’s father, Manuel, credits his son’s unexpected progress to the care he has been receiving since birth through Medicaid. Caleb needs specialist care, physical, speech, and occupational therapy, medical equipment, and prescription medications. Particularly important to Manuel, who is a single working parent, is nursing care that…
Patricia Clark, now 86, went into the hospital about four years ago for a hip replacement. Patricia had had health problems over the years, but was doing well at the time, except that her declining mobility was making it increasingly difficult to live independently. Her doctors expected her to fare better with a new hip. Unfortunately, Patricia suffered a debilitating stroke in surgery and was left unable to get around on her own or live…
Michelle Foster and her four-month-old baby, Anthwonnia, have both benefited from Medicaid. With Medicaid, Michelle received all her prenatal care on time, and, when she developed gestational diabetes, she was able to get the specialist care that she needed as well. Because Medicaid paid for Anthwonnia
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