Medicaid Stories

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Elias

Elias's Story

Elias was given a 50/50 chance of survival when he was diagnosed with meningitis at 10 months old.
Learn how Medicaid saved Elias's life

Medicaid Covers US

Medicaid is a vital health insurance program for America’s families. It allows children to reach their fullest potential, adults to get and stay healthy enough to work and be part of their community, and seniors and people with disabilities to get the care that can help them stay at home. Medicaid can be life-changing and lifesaving.

Meet some of the Americans for whom Medicaid has made a huge difference, as well as people who could benefit but are currently unable to gain access to coverage from Medicaid.

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Maria

Maria, Murfreesboro, TN

Maria is a single mother and when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, her treatments made it impossible for her to continue to work full-time causing her to lose her employer-sponsored health insurance. Fortunately, she was approved for TennCare Medicaid to take her through the rest of her treatment.   

Jessica

Jessica: Johnson City, TN

Jessica and her husband are the parents of three children. One of their daughters, Clare, has a rare genetic disorder that requires extensive, ongoing care. They hope she will be able to get covered through the state’s new Katie Beckett Medicaid waiver because her private health insurance isn’t enough to cover everything she needs. 

Rudolf: Maryville, TN

Rudolf and his wife are retired, but they are the primary caregivers for their two grandsons, who both have autism. Because the boys are covered by TennCare Medicaid, they are able to get the full range of services they need to thrive. 

Dr. Pais

Dr. Pais: Knoxville, TN

Dr. Pais is the Director of the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. About half of his patients are covered by TennCare Medicaid and get the same high-quality care as his privately insured patients.

Debbie

Debbie: McMinnville, TN

In 2013, Debbie had just moved back to Tennessee and was uninsured. She felt a lump in her breast and, because she was eligible for TennCare Medicaid through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, she was able to get the lifesaving care she needed.

Michael and his family

Michael: Knoxville, TN

In 2017, Michael was uninsured and diagnosed with testicular cancer. Fortunately, he was eligible for TennCare Medicaid, and his health insurance covered him throughout his treatment.

Rev. Larry

Rev. Larry: Oak Ridge, TN

Reverend Larry is a pastor who sees the importance of health care every day. He knows there are community members who are unable to get the care they need because they don’t have health insurance, and he believes society must do better to care for the most vulnerable among us. 

Doctor meeting with patient

Dr. Borinstein: Nashville, TN

Dr. Borinstein is a pediatric oncologist. About half of his patients are covered by Tennessee’s Medicaid program, TennCare, which allows them to get lifesaving cancer care. 

Dr. Shattuck

Dr. Shattuck: Knoxville, TN

Dr. Shattuck runs a house call practice where providers go to the homes of patients who are unable to travel to a clinic. The majority of his patients are covered by TennCare Medicaid, which makes it possible for them to get the care they need. 

Jamila

Medicaid Covers US

Visit our campaign home page to learn more about who is covered by Medicaid, why Medicaid is so important to our friends, neighbors, and community, and how to get involved.