By: Emily Johnson
I want to emphasize the grave danger posed by Michigan lawmakers’ initiatives to impose work requirements for Medicaid coverage. These attempts threaten the health care that over 2 million residents depend on—including my precious 3-year-old daughter, Lily.
Before Lily was born, we discovered that her heart had a serious defect; it was missing one of the four essential chambers. This was completely unexpected and there was no family history of heart issues. At just 2 days old, Lily underwent her first open heart surgery, followed by a second surgery when she was 5 months old.
At 8 months, she experienced a devastating cardiac arrest right in front of us, while my husband held her. For 25 long minutes, her heart stopped beating, resulting in irreversible damage to both her heart and brain. All of her developmental progress was lost along with her vision. For two months, her heart was in severe failure, leading to a third open heart surgery that ultimately did not save her.
Faced with limited options, we chose to list her for a heart transplant and waited with hope. Four months later, we received the wonderful news of a match, a true blessing that gave our daughter a chance at life.
Lily’s care requires several medications throughout the day, some every six hours, and others every twelve. She needs help with basic movements and requires feedings through a tube five times a day to support her compromised kidney function. Eating orally became a skill we had to forgo for her survival, which is easily overlooked when you’re so young and unwell.
Medicaid has been pivotal for us, as it fills the gaps left by our private insurance. It has enabled Lily to attend essential rehabilitation therapy sessions that are crucial for her recovery. Without Medicaid, she would not be able to receive the care she needs to learn to walk and play again.
The financial relief Medicaid provides is immeasurable. Our family has faced countless emergency room visits and specialty follow-ups for the complications stemming from her heart failure and stroke. Each simple cold can lead to hospital stays lasting days or even weeks. The support from Medicaid has allowed her to receive care when it’s most critical.
Lily has a vibrant personality; she loves dressing up, enjoys playing in the dirt, and has a passion for music—from David Bowie to The Greatest Showman soundtrack. She thrives in her music class and loves cheering for her brother’s games. We treasure our time outdoors, especially at the lake, and she deserves every opportunity to enjoy life.
The proposed work requirements for Medicaid recipients and their caregivers are disheartening. As her mother, taking time off to support Lily through her recovery and hospitalizations is a necessity. The lawmakers pushing these requirements fail to understand the reality faced by families like ours.
If these policies are enacted, an estimated 100,000 Michiganders could lose their insurance, causing devastating consequences for families throughout the state. This move would not only affect lives but could also cost Michigan millions annually. It would reflect poorly on our state’s governance and the moral compass of those in leadership.
I urge everyone to join me in raising our voices against these harmful changes. If you want to learn more about navigating the complexities of family planning, check out this link for more insightful content: contact us.
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In summary, the cuts to health care coverage and the proposed work requirements could profoundly affect not only my daughter’s life but countless others who rely on Medicaid. It’s essential to advocate for comprehensive care and support for families navigating these challenges.