What Is Medicaid?

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides medical coverage for low-income individuals, including people with disabilities, children, and elderly individuals. It covers essential services like doctor visits, hospital care, prescription medications, and long-term care—critical support that allows millions to lead healthier, more independent lives.

Why Is Medicaid Important for People with Disabilities?

For people with disabilities, Medicaid is far more than insurance. It’s a lifeline that covers specialized healthcare, personal care, therapy, and support services that help people live independently. Medicaid is crucial for making sure people with disabilities get the care they need to live full, active lives.

Why Is Medicaid Important to Blessitt?

Medicaid allows me to live independently, access healthcare, and take care of my day-to-day needs. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to afford the medications, doctors’ visits, or personal care services necessary for my health and well-being. The stakes are high, especially as I continue advocating for social justice, access, and equality. Medicaid is my safety net, and it’s vital for my future, so I’m asking you to stand with me.

Medicaid is Under Attack

As we all know, Medicaid is currently under threat. There are efforts to reduce funding, cut services, and make it harder for people to access care. These attacks hurt the people who depend on Medicaid the most—people with disabilities, seniors, and others with complex health needs. We need to stand up and make sure Medicaid stays strong and accessible.

What You Can Do to Help & How to Contact Your Elected Officials

Here’s how you can take action:

1. Send a Letter to the Editor
   Use the template below to write a letter to the editor of your local paper. Your letter will help raise awareness about the importance of Medicaid and encourage others to take action, too.

2. Make a Call to Your Elected Officials
   Follow these easy steps to contact your elected officials:

• Use this search tool: Find Your Elected Officials

• Fill in your address.

• Select “Federal Officials.”

• Select each name listed (Senators, Congress members).

• The contact information for your representatives will appear.

• Call the phone number listed, and use the sample call script below when you talk to your elected officials.

3. Phone Script:
   Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m calling because Medicaid is personal to me. People I know, love, and care about rely on Medicaid to access the healthcare and services they need to live independently and stay healthy. I’m asking you to stand with us and protect Medicaid from any cuts or harmful changes. Please, make sure that this life-saving program remains accessible to all who rely on it. Thank you for your time.

4. Send Your Own Letter
   You can also send a personalized letter to your elected officials. Here’s how:

• Go to the representative’s website listed in the Find Your Elected Officials tool.

• Select the “Contact” section on their website.

• Either send the letter to the email address listed or fill out the contact form on the website.

Copy and paste your letter into the “Message” field on their site.

Letter to the Editor Template:

Dear [Editor],

I’m writing because many people I know depend on Medicaid to manage their health and well-being. Medicaid is not just health insurance — it’s a lifeline for the people who rely on it for access to doctor visits, medications, personal care, and therapy. Medicaid makes it possible for people with disabilities to live independently and thrive.

Right now, Medicaid is under attack, and we cannot let our lawmakers take away this critical support. Medicaid is a program that millions of Americans depend on. We must protect it for our future generations, ourselves (if we need it one day), and our neighbors. For newborn babies, retirees, and everyone in between, Medicaid is a safety net we must keep intact.

Please join me in calling on our elected officials to keep their hands off Medicaid and ensure it remains strong and accessible. We all deserve access to healthcare and support, no matter who we are.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

After you’ve made your calls and sent your letters, post on social media using the hashtag #BlessittBBQForMedicaid to let your friends and followers know you’re standing up for this life-saving program.

By taking action and sharing your commitment, you’ll not only be helping protect Medicaid, but you’ll also be entered to win a limited edition Juneteenth tote filled with Blessitt’s Birthday goodies!