People tend to associate Medicaid with doctor visits, prescriptions, and hospitalizations. Those services are certainly important, but for millions of disabled Americans, Medicaid represents something much greater: the ability to live independently.
I recently read the story of Chicago attorney Rebecca Anger, who has built a successful career, happy marriage, and a life she loves. Like many disabled people, she relies on paid caregivers every day after being paralyzed as a child.
They assist her with getting out of bed, bathing, getting dressed, eating and getting ready for work. If she didn’t have those supports, her life she’s worked so hard for would be in jeopardy.
Like Rebecca, I know how it feels to wonder if those critical supports will still be in place tomorrow. I spent much of the spring fighting with MassHealth after they eliminated my overnight personal care attendant (PCA) hours entirely.
Overnight care isn’t a luxury or a convenience. It’s what keeps me safe, my health, and living independently. It was exhausting gathering paperwork, and not knowing if I would lose the critical care I needed. No one should have to struggle so much to get the help they need to stay alive.
Many of us rely on these services and people don’t realize how much we depend on them. Without the care provided by Medicaid, people may be left in bed for hours, unable to eat, drink, or use the bathroom. This is why Medicaid cuts are personal to many people.
The Department of Justice recently issued a memo about institutionalization that’s causing concern. The Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision, which has been around for over 25 years, says that people with disabilities have the right to get services in settings that are as integrated into the community as possible, depending on their needs. But this new DOJ opinion seems to shift federal responsibility, leading to worries that states might be less willing to fund home and community-based services.
Disability rights advocates have worked for decades to stop people from being forced into institutions. Living in your community means more than just having a place to live. It means being able to do everyday things that most people don’t even think about, like working, building relationships, participating in the community, and making your own decisions.
When people talk about Medicaid, they often focus on budget constraints and political implications. While those things are important, they don’t fully show how Medicaid affects people’s lives. Medicaid covers more than just basic healthcare costs. It also pays for home and community-based services, including home healthcare, therapy, and medical equipment that private insurance plans don’t cover. These services help people work, go to school or volunteer, raise families, and be part of their communities. They are essential for independence.
I understand that governments have to make difficult budget decisions. But these decisions should never ignore the people whose lives they impact. Disabled people shouldn’t have to constantly fight for their independence.
For millions of Americans, Medicaid is more than just a government program. It’s what allows them to have dignity, security, and the freedom to make their own choices. I hope our leaders remember that every decision they make about Medicaid and disability policy impacts people who just want to live with dignity.
Source:
Hixenbaugh, Mike. “Medicaid Is More Than Health Care for People with Disabilities. Funding Cuts Could Cost Them Their Independence.” NBC News, 30, June 2026, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/medicaid-disabilities-cost-trump-funding-cuts-big-beautiful-bill-rcna351975.