Patients, providers and hospitals in Kansas all depend on Medicaid for vital care
The Medicaid health insurance program provides essential support for Kansans, writes Rebecca Phillips. (Getty Images)
Millions of individuals in this country rely on Medicaid. Poor Medicaid: To me Medicaid is like a person who gets beat up on all the time. No one quite understands what to do with Medicaid, or what rules or laws to implement with it.
Hospitals rely heavily on Medicaid payments, and so do nursing homes. Doctors' offices and mental health clinics such as Valeo rely on Medicaid as well. When Medicaid was privatized in Kansas and became known as KanCare, put into three for-profit companies, problems abounded. It became especially problematic for those with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Now, in the U.S. Congress, there is debate about changes and cuts to Medicaid. It's all very confusing, but the bottom line is all of it would harm the Medicaid program. The people who rely on Medicaid are not criminals. They are not entitled and trying to get something for nothing. These are people who truly can't work and who may need Medicaid for the remainder of their lives.
With Medicaid, people can thrive in their communities and receive lifesaving care and support. Do we care about these folks? Do we care about preserving our hospitals like K.U. Medical Center and the nursing homes where our loved ones reside? Whenever I think of asking tough questions, I always go back to my own faith and ask the question: 'What Would Jesus Do?'
Indeed, now is the time for Congress to ask this question and to search deep within their hearts for the answers to all of these pressing issues.
Valeo Behavioral Health Care has faced budget cuts due to changes and cuts in Medicaid funding. They work with the three managed care companies administering KanCare, and it has been and continues to be a tremendous challenge.
Families know what is best for their children. It's easy to say, 'Let's have cuts and harmful cuts to Medicaid,' when one doesn't have a disabled family member or friend or anyone they know who relies on Medicaid. Disabilities are not the enemy. Poverty shouldn't be the enemy.
I think a lot of people are afraid of the needs of others. They feel overwhelmed and burdened by what they don't understand. Let's imagine if Jesus walked into the U.S. Congress and sat down with all the lawmakers. What would He say to them? Who would He advocate for?
Families are crying out for help and greater funding of Medicaid and not greater burdens. Let's listen to their cries and not turn away. Let's not create burdens for people who are already about to give up.
When I see people in need, I often feel overwhelmed, but I don't ignore that person. Instead, I ask my deep faith what to do. My grandpa, who was a minister for 60 years, used to always end his phone calls with me by saying kindly: 'Rebecca, stay on the road.'
With all the drama and trauma going on these days, I would implore Congressional leaders to not ignore these families with loved ones who need Medicaid. I would encourage them to imagine stepping into my grandpa's summer kitchen — in the back of his old, huge, historic home in Americus, Georgia — and listen to him encourage them to stay on the road, to stick to their values no matter what.
Let's not give up on the right thing to do. Let's reach out during this time and dare to care. It's the only thing to do.
Rebecca Lyn Phillips is a published author, speaker and mental health advocate. Through its opinion section, the Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
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