How Medicaid Protects an Entire Family
“Kacki is unable to live on her own, yet with the help of Medicaid funding, she is living a full life.” - Teri Litavsky, Kacki’s mom
Kacki's Medicaid Story
As told by her mom, Teri
"My daughter, Kacki, is 40 years old. She was born with an intellectual disability. Over her adult life, she has worked several part time jobs, which came only because of the federally funded supportive employment services to help her apply for these jobs, interview, be coached on how to do the job, trouble shooting by coaches throughout her employment, and bus transportation to and from work since she cannot drive. Kacki needs assistance each day to plan her schedule, complete routine tasks, get to her volunteer jobs, help her find enrichment in the community or find activities that suit her abilities. She needs assistance to make healthy food choices, to cook, to shop, to clean, to exercise. In other words, she needs an aide for most things in her life. Kacki is unable to live on her own, yet with the help of Medicaid funding, she is living a full life that allows her to volunteer at the Ray Graham Therapeutic Horsemanship program two mornings a week, she works three mornings a week in a warehouse, she takes cooking, sewing, knitting and dance lessons in the community go to the library and participate in a reading circle, ALL of this with help of an aide."
Why Medicaid Is Important to Kacki:
"Medicaid is Kacki's lifeline to thriving and survival. Her life would not be the same without Medicaid. She needs full support to live a healthy life. She suffers from depression, anxiety, ADD, and is on the autism spectrum as well as being ID. She has a number of orthopedic issues in her knees, ankles and hips. She needs constant support in most areas of daily functioning. She needs the help of an aide for most of each day. She needs the help of a job coach to maintain her employment. She needs to be able to move into a small group home in the coming years as we, her parents age and cannot meet her physical needs."
What Does Her Mom Fear About Medicaid Cuts?
"Now that my husband and I are retired, we have limited income and are very concerned about the financial burden that will surely overwhelm us if our daughter does not have the safety net of medicaid as she ages herself. We could literally go broke trying to pay for all the services she needs to be supported in a safe and healthy environment. AND - How will she access what she needs for mental and physical health without Medicaid paying for her MEDICARE PREMIUM, and paying the remainder due of her bills after Medicare pays the first portion? Last year she had total hip reconstruction at 40. This year, we had a breast cancer scare that involved several layers of testing. What if she gets cancer at some point? She is below the poverty level with her minimal income. She cannot pay the kinds of medical bills she may incur without Medicaid. How will we be able to place her in a small group home, which we hoped to do soon since we are rounding the corner to our 70's? If there is no Medicaid, there will be no Disabilities Organizations left to house our beloved Kacki into a small group home where she is taken care of through Medicaid funding."