Susan

Susan and her sisters are devoted to their aging mother, whose health has been steadily declining. Diagnosed with both Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and macular degeneration, their mom now requires daily support just to manage basic tasks and maintain her quality of life.

Thanks to Medicaid, Susan was able to hire a direct care worker who came to her mother’s home each day to help her mom get out of bed, bathe, dress, take her medications, and get to critical medical appointments. For Susan, who works full-time, knowing her mother was being safely and compassionately cared for brought immeasurable peace of mind.

After a recent fall and further loss of mobility, Susan and her sisters had to make the decision to move their mother into a nursing home, where she could receive 24/7 care. Medicaid continues to be a lifeline, covering the cost of the nursing home and providing essential transportation to doctor’s visits. This support is vital, especially now that their mom requires both a wheelchair and an oxygen tank, making transportation a serious challenge.

Any cuts to Medicaid would be devastating, not just for Susan’s mom, but for the entire family. Her mother depends on Medicaid for care, and the nursing home relies on it to keep its doors open. If funding is cut, Susan fears her mother could be forced out, potentially relocated far from her family. Neither Susan’s nor her sisters’ homes are equipped for the level of care their mom now needs. The thought of losing access to nearby, reliable care is terrifying.

For Susan and her family, Medicaid is a critical support system that keeps their mother safe, close, and cared for. Any threat to that support threatens their entire way of life.

“If Medicaid were to be cut, my mom would lose her livelihood at her nursing home, on top of my sisters and I being worried about where to put her to keep her safe.”