Ashley Brown and her family have come to rely on the high-quality, affordable care that Medicaid provides, as they have endured chronic conditions, disability, and difficulty finding gainful employment. At 3-and-a-half years old, Ashley’s daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, requiring frequent doctor visits, tests, and most importantly, an insulin prescription that she cannot live without. Ashley explained the critical role Medicaid has served throughout her daughter’s life, saying “we would have trouble keeping our daughter alive if not for Medicaid.”
Ashley is incredibly grateful for Medicaid coverage, and the cost-savings it provides her family every year. “My daughter needs insulin to survive. Without Medicaid, the out-of-pocket cost for insulin would be more than we could afford,” Ashley explained. When it comes to doctor visits, lab tests, and prescription medication, her family’s Medicaid coverage offers Ashley the peace of mind that they will be able to receive the health care services they need.
Medicaid provides an even more important safety net for Ashley’s family during the COVID-19 crisis. Ashley described how important it is to have access to high-quality, affordable care during the pandemic, and expressed her fears that her family’s coverage could be cut or reduced during this critical time. When thinking about the states who have already announced cuts to their Medicaid programs due to the economic downturn, Ashley said “we shouldn’t be cutting back when people need it most.”