Opinion: I was born blind and rely on Medicaid. Cutting it threatens our health and safety

Medicaid offers life-changing support to people with disabilities, lawmakers in Congress must support Medicaid funding in next year’s federal budget.

Protecting access to Medicaid is essential for ensuring people with disabilities get the care they need. I know firsthand. 

I work closely with people with disabilities, connecting them to Medicaid benefits they may qualify for based on their work and living situation. For people with disabilities, Medicaid is crucial to supporting them with their work and living needs so they can live full and independent lives. 

I also know how important Medicaid is to people with disabilities because I’m one of them.

I was born blind and rely on Medicaid benefits that cover my transportation to and from doctors’ appointments. In many cases, my doctors are either located in or move outside bus transportation routes, which I would otherwise rely on. That means that, without Medicaid, I’d have to rely on my friends or family members to get me to and from many medical appointments. 

Before I was made aware of Medicaid’s transportation benefit, I simply skipped regular physician and dentist visits for years. Today, Medicaid covers my transportation to and from physical therapy sessions, clinics for lab work, and even to my pharmacy to get prescriptions filled. The Medicaid benefit also means I don’t have to pay for costly ride share services to doctors’ appointments. 

Many of my clients do not have family or friends to rely on for transportation, and without Medicaid, they would have no way of making regular doctor visits. 

Today, one in four American adults has a disability, and more than 10 million adult Americans receive Medicaid because of a disability. The Medicaid program provides half of all long-term care in the United States, which includes essential home- and community-based services for people with disabilities, ensuring they have the support they need.

One in four Americans with disabilities said their health care needs have gone unmet in the past year because of cost and the same proportion report not having a usual health care provider. That’s why we must protect access to Medicaid for people with disabilities and get more people who qualify enrolled because recipients with disabilities need access to regular preventive care and treatment for chronic illnesses and conditions.

People with disabilities face multiple barriers to health care. Medicaid helps us overcome many of the hurdles we face daily. We urge our lawmakers in Congress to support Medicaid funding in next year’s federal budget.

The greatest challenge in having a disability of any kind is maintaining one’s independence. That should never be a partisan issue.

It’s a human issue, and we must do everything we can to protect Medicaid funding and expand access to those who need it most.