In Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Theresa Luoni is raising 12-year-old twin boys with autism. Her life revolves around ensuring they have the care, therapies and opportunities they need—not just to survive, but to thrive. For Theresa, Medicaid is more than a policy or a program. It is what allows her to care for her children and give them a future.
Read Theresa’s storyAt 31 years old, Ray, a father of five from Pennsylvania, is working hard to raise a young family while managing the pressures of everyday life. Until recently, Medicaid was something he hadn’t thought deeply about. His wife, Autumn, handled the paperwork to make sure their kids had coverage. But as he began reflecting more seriously on his faith, and his role as a father and husband, he realized how critical that support truly is.
Read Ray’s storySteven Leaton works hard to provide for his wife and two daughters. But with a life-threatening heart condition and a child with complex medical needs, he can’t do it alone. Medicaid helps him stay healthy enough to work and gives his daughter the care she needs to stay safe.
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In 2017, Tomeka James Isaac was pregnant with her first and only son, Jace. At 40 years old, she was told early on that she would be at high risk for pre-eclampsia, yet despite this ominous warning, Tomeka’s pregnancy was progressing smoothly. Until, at her 35-week appointment, complications began.
Read Tomeka’s storyKea had a plan. Pregnant with her first child, she knew she wanted a natural birth, and she wanted her birth experience to be an experience that was unique to her. However, she felt dismissed by doctors when she made requests, and ignored at appointments. Kea switched to a birth center, and everything changed for the better.
Read Kea’s storyTamara's 18 month old grandson fell ill with a slight cough and signs mirroring COVID-19, but was not tested by his pediatrician. After his oxygen levels dropped, he was taken to the ER but was still not tested for COVID-19 due to not meeting testing criteria.
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Stefanie Ebnal, one of the thousands of nurses and health care workers on the front lines of the Providence hospital nurses strike in Portland, OR did not start her career as a nurse. Instead, she began in pharmaceutical research, following a scientific path—but never truly feeling connected to the work.
Read Stefanie’s storyDr. Lincoln has built her career on empathy, trust, and teamwork. Now, she's using those same values to challenge a system increasingly shaped by private equity and corporate interests.
Read Jennifer’s storyBob Parant has been living with type 1 diabetes for over 52 years. Diagnosed at 19 during what he calls the "dark ages" of diabetes care, Bob's journey has been one of perseverance, adaptation, and advocacy. At the time, diabetes management was rudimentary—urine testing provided little insight into actual blood sugar levels, and treatment relied on a strict diet and a single daily insulin injection.
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