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This is going to be an ACA/Medicaid expansion appreciation 
Yesterday morning I had a nice thread written out about how Medicaid and access to health care is important. Today I feel a little more raw.
Yesterday morning I had a nice thread written out about how Medicaid and access to health care is important. Today I feel a little more raw.
I was diagnosed with stage III melanoma when I was 18. I had 4 surgeries and 4 rounds of chemo. I've lost count of the biopsies I've had--over 2 dozen for sure. I'm supposed to see my oncologist every 6 months and will for the rest of my life.
Many of you know I'm in an accelerated nursing program. After I started, I transitioned to part time and eventually left my job. I lost my health benefits, but was eligible to enroll in Medicaid, thanks to the fact that California expanded Medicaid when the ACA was passed.
(Side note: I wouldn't be able to be in nursing school at all if it weren't for ACA. Programs requires us to have health coverage & before the ACA & Medicaid expansion specifically it would have been impossible for me to afford or even find a private insurer who would cover me.)
Anyway I had an appointment with my oncologist yesterday, which is why I had been reflecting on this in the morning. I was expecting it to be a normal follow-up appointment with an exam and maybe him wanting me to get a couple more biopsies. It was not.
Turns out there are some urgent (but not emergent) things going on. My oncologist (who takes Medicaid) ordered several tests, some STAT, and referred me to two specialists. The office referred me to providers who take Medicaid for all of these.
Please note: I am fine. The issues are not life-threatening in the short term and hopefully not in the long term. That's my entire point, in fact. Because I had access to health care, via Medicaid expansion, we were able to find these things before they became emergent.
So, all that being said: did you know that 13 states have not yet expanded Medicaid? You can see them here: https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/status-of-state-medicaid-expansion-decisions-interactive-map/
Medicaid expansion is primarily controlled at the state level. That means it's incredibly important to flip state legislatures in these states.
Medicaid expansion is primarily controlled at the state level. That means it's incredibly important to flip state legislatures in these states.
That's why I'm involved in state leg. races like @gabbysalinas in TN (herself a cancer survivor), @DebbieBryantSC in SC (a PhD in nursing), & @reginalewisward in GA (a health care advocate) - all of whom are making powerful cases for Medicaid expansion & access to health care.
Medicaid expansion in these states is an important issue. It's a life saving one, and it's one that I hear about over and over again from voters in those states.
It feels weird to be talking about something so personal on Twitter, but that's just it: politics IS personal.
It feels weird to be talking about something so personal on Twitter, but that's just it: politics IS personal.
Our personal connections with candidates and policies is what gets us in the fight, and what keeps us there. It's how we connect with voters, who are often looking for some sign that a political leader gets it, that they want to pass policy that will actively change their lives.
I'm incredibly invested in the fight for health care access - both the fight toward universal health care as well as what we can do *right now* to ensure people can access life saving care. That's Medicaid expansion.
I am going to tweet some volunteer opportunities I'll be participating in for the Warren Democrats endorsed candidates I mentioned above, and I hope some of you will join me.
You can text bank for Warren Democrats endorsed @gabbysalinas in TN today at 5 pm CT, or phone bank with us on Saturday at 12:30 pm CT. I will be at both of these! Please DM me for a sign-up link if you're interested.
You can phone bank for Warren Democrats endorsed @reginalewisward today at 6 pm ET or Sunday at 2 pm ET. I'll be there Sunday! Please DM me for a sign-up link if you're interested.
Medicaid expansion changed my life and has saved countless others. It is, as @ewarren would say, a righteous fight. LFG.
