Consumer Stories
Visit our portrait gallery of Medicare-Medicaid Enrollees
Shannon, a dedicated mother of two, knows the struggle of paying for medical care. And, as a single parent of a child with several medical diagnoses who requires long-term care, this is especially true.
Formeeca makes her family’s health care her priority, often putting her own care on pause to focus on helping her daughter and her son, who has autism, secure their needed health care.
Like other girls her age, Chelsea loves to sing, play sports and spend quality time with her family and friends. But Chelsea has unique needs that must be met and her Medicaid coverage is key to Chelsea’s ability to thrive at school and in her many other activities.
Emily is a writer who fiercely maintains the independence to achieve her goals, using her custom power wheelchair that was mostly covered by Medicaid, as well as Personal Care Attendant services
For years, Rachel felt defined by her numerous medical conditions and controlled by the continual fight to get treatment for them. Since becoming enrolled in Medicaid, Rachel has come to recognize and value quality of life over “just surviving.”
Germán, who was paralyzed as a result of a violent crime, found inspiration, support and passion among the disability rights community, and now is a full-time activist.
Gail, a self-described problem solver, credits health insurance with her ability to access insulin and, ultimately, to live a healthy life with Type 1 diabetes, stating, “Without health insurance, I could not afford to be alive.”
For Mahi, a trip to the doctor isn’t a concern like it may have been without Medicaid, and she can now feel free to visit her providers when she needs to without worrying about the cost.
As a hard working mother of three, Monique has struggled to afford care, and having a pre-existing condition has made this process even more difficult.
A daughter worries that her mother is being neglected in the hospital.
Howie benefits from peer support that has been shown to be a positive and effective model in engaging and empowering people with mental health conditions.
Cassie of Philadelphia has traveled the difficult journey from homelessness to becoming a powerful health care and housing advocate.
Bella talks about her journey from being an advocate to homelessness, and again rediscovering the power of advocacy in her new community.
Caiden's Medicaid-funded home-based and in-school services allow his mom Teresa to continue working with peace of mind.
Because Kathy Paul depends on the health security Medicaid and Medicare provide her, and provided her late husband, she is a tireless advocate to preserve them.
Shawnette shares the new sense of empowerment she gained after participating in a "Lift Up Your Voice" consumer training by the Center and Pennsylvania Health Access Network.
Alejandra greatly prefers New York City’s consumer-directed services for her LTSS, allowing her to find, hire and train her Personal Care Attendants herself.
As a faith leader, Rev. Dr. Conner has an important perspective on how the health care system impacts consumers, based on the stories that she hears from her congregants.
A mother of three learns to cope with a serious chronic condition…and becomes an advocate in the process!
Amy is the model of a consumer activist who draws on her life experience with health care to help others take control of their own health.
Eva has been able to pursue a vibrant creative career thanks to support provided by her dedicated Personal Care Attendants.
A trailblazer her entire life, Jane was among the first to enroll in a care coordination demonstration program in Ohio for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid.
A person with disabilities knows what her goals, preferences and needs are, but finds the system isn’t set up to meet them.
Discharged following knee replacement surgery, an older adult can’t get the assistance she needs at home.