Medicaid
Genesis Lee: A Colorado Mother Fighting to Keep Medicaid for Her Children
Genesis Lee lives in Westminster, Colorado, and is the mother of two children. Her oldest, Jasper, turns five in September. Her youngest, Athena, is two. Both of her children have autism and ADHD. Athena also has a brain tumor, a cyst and experiences constant seizures. “Without Medicaid, I wouldn’t be able to afford the special therapies or doctor’s appointments or MRIs that we have to do or epilepsy overnight stays or sleep studies,” Genesis said.
Stan Clawson was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah where he runs a small business in filmmaking. In 2012, he dedicated himself full time to his small business as a freelance filmmaker. That decision meant relying on the Affordable Care Act marketplace for coverage.
George’s parents, like many older adults, access their health care through California’s Medicaid program, Medi-Cal. This program allows them to access quality, affordable care that keeps them healthy and thriving. “Without Medi-Cal, my parents would not be able to afford the medical care, treatments, and medications that sustain their health and well-being.” 
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, allowing them to get access to essential health care services that they wouldn’t be able to afford out-of-pocket.
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.
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.
Deborah Blankenship Galloway lives in rural Troup County, Georgia and lives with major mobility issues along with respiratory failure, heart failure, CKD stage 3, diabetes, gout, asthma, allergies, osteoarthritis and pinched nerves. Currently, Deborah is covered by a Medicare replacement plan, also known as a Medicare Advantage plan, and recently lost her Medicaid coverage. While she is happy to be covered at all, she is feeling the strain on her wallet from not having Medicaid as well. 
Barry Spickler retired after 15 years as a government contractor and now relies on the Affordable Care Act for coverage he calls lifesaving. With premium tax credits easing the cost, he and his partner Eileen say the ACA gives them stability, dignity and peace of mind.
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 needs two more replaced. “The accident left me without anything," Wanda said, citing corruption within the justice system following the incident, “So I’m very thankful for the Medicaid."
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.