Carmen*, a resident of Florida, has faced more than her share of life’s hardships. As a survivor of domestic violence, she found herself separated from her husband and living alone, navigating not only the emotional aftermath but also the practical challenges of starting over. The trauma of abuse left her with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, requiring ongoing care from a psychiatrist and psychologist. Without a job and with no access to employer-sponsored health insurance, Carmen’s only hope for receiving the medical and mental health care she desperately needed was Medicaid.

For Carmen, Medicaid has provided essential support during some of the most challenging times in her life. When her mental health deteriorated to the point that she needed hospitalization, Medicaid covered her stay, sparing her from overwhelming hospital bills that she simply could not afford. “If I didn’t have Medicaid, I wouldn’t know what I would do”.

Carmen’s health challenges extend beyond mental health. She is diabetic, has blood clots (requiring daily medication), and suffers from high cholesterol. Most significantly, she is a breast cancer survivor. Diagnosed in 2019, she underwent surgery in 2021 and continues to need regular care from her oncologist to ensure the cancer does not return.

Medicaid is the only way she can access these specialists; without it, she would be unable to see her oncologist or afford life-saving chemotherapy, which costs thousands of dollars per session.

Carmen’s experience highlights a critical truth: for women like her, losing Medicaid would not just be an inconvenience; it would be devastating, potentially life-threatening. “If I didn’t have Medicaid, I wouldn’t be able to see my oncologist at all,” she explained, emphasizing that the disruption in care could mean the difference between life and death.

Medicaid has also provided Carmen with a sense of safety. As a victim of domestic violence, she needed assurance that her personal information would be protected from her estranged husband. Medicaid staff took extra steps to safeguard her privacy, ensuring her safety while she rebuilt her life.

The prospect of Medicaid cuts terrifies Carmen. She knows that without this coverage, she and many others, especially elderly people, people with disabilities, and survivors of domestic violence, would face impossible choices between health care and basic survival. “It would be almost really almost being homeless… it would be devastating not only to me, but my friends and other people I see,” she said.

Carmen’s story is a powerful testament to the life-changing, life-saving role Medicaid plays for millions of Americans. For survivors of domestic violence and cancer, for those with chronic illnesses and mental health needs, Medicaid is not just a safety net- it is a foundation for survival, recovery, and hope for a better future.

Her experience is a reminder to policymakers and the public alike: protecting Medicaid is protecting the lives and dignity of people like Carmen, who depend on it to survive and thrive.

*Carmen is a pseudonym used to protect the storyteller’s identity