I work in a clinic that serves the community. A great number of our patients are insured by Medi-Cal (California Medicaid). If funding for Medicaid is cut, we would be forced to cut services, and me and my colleagues could lose our jobs. It would place some of us in positions where we would be unable to afford healthcare ourselves. It becomes a dark and slippery slope to making the poor poorer and reducing the middle class to poverty levels. Meanwhile the millionaire buddies and bullies get tax cuts.

Jo H., CA

I'm a single 57-years-young American working part time. I'm a Respite Caregiver. My kids are adults now, and I have been on Medicaid since I was pregnant with both of them. If I didn't have this medical insurance, I would be in bad shape. I have had a few necessary procedures done, and I know that if it wasn't for Medicaid, I wouldn't have been able to pay for any of it. I have developed depression and anxiety issues since my mom passed away in 2016. It has been hard without my meds. I rely on Medicaid daily.

Lorraine T., WA

I have a family member who struggles with serious mental illness. Medicaid has literally saved their life. Medicaid has provided the care and stability they desperately need to survive and thrive. Our family member has been able to stay stable on their meds, started forming a supportive community, and developed an independent and fulfilling life. They are even able to hold a small part-time job. Our family worked so hard to ensure our loved one was able to access these benefits. Medicaid saved us as well--all of us were giving our whole lives to care for them, which we were not equipped to do. Our family member was repeatedly hospitalized and did not even recognize us at their lowest point. Medicaid has changed all of our lives for the better and is a true success story for our family. Please don't put our loved one's life on the line by removing this life-saving program!

Tito G, CA

My deaf, autistic, and epileptic daughter relies on Medicaid. My daughter has to take expensive anti-seizure medication. My family nearly went broke trying to cover her medical needs with private insurance. My daughter also relies on Medicaid for her caregivers. These amazing young women literally speak her native language: American Sign Language. Her caregivers are her LIFE LINE! These workers are paid through a Medicaid Waiver. Plus, without the expensive anti-seizure medications, my daughter might not be here.

Sarah P, MD

I have major depression / bipolar type 2. There have been times when I was on Medicaid (MediCal) to get the medications I need. Without these medications, I can hardly get out of bed. Because of Medicaid, I was able to do the work I needed to get a job. Cuts to Medicaid will destroy lives, families, and communities. It's immoral and simply unthinkable. Medicaid should be supported, improved, and expanded to everyone. We can provide full medical, dental, vision, and mental healthcare to every person in our country with no payments at the point of care. We should do that. Healthcare is a human right and being the richest community the world has ever known, we need to organize, unionize, and build collective power to be able to demand and implement this fundamental right.

Luca B, CA

Medicaid has been a life saver for me during a period of prolonged unemployment. Between mental health struggles and injuries, it’s been hard to stay afloat! The wonderful thing about Medicaid is, I don’t have to worry about my health, or my son’s. We can see great doctors and get referrals. Occasionally Medicaid even gives me a reward for taking good care of myself, like seeing a nutritionist, or a physical therapist, or dentist. I have to stay in network, but so far the care has been great. If I had to pay out of pocket for insurance right now, I just wouldn’t have any - which of course is risky and might even cause its own kind of stress. Medicaid is part of a larger American framework that (like Social Security) seeks to make sure Americans don’t live in actual poverty. I hope to God it is saved.

Cara Winters