What’s Medicaid? Some use this sign for “Medicaid” Why is it important for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Late-Deafened, Hard of Hearing people, and other people with disabilities? Why is Medicaid under attack? What can you do to help protect Medicaid? What is Medicaid? Medicaid is a health insurance program paid by federal and state governments. Almost 80 million people in the United States, including people with disabilities, use Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Every state provides Medicaid. Why is Medicaid important? Medicaid pays for services and supports that are important for people with disabilities. Medical care, treatment, wheelchairs, hearing aids, and more. Community-based services that allow people with disabilities to stay in their homes and live independently. Covers many programs needed by children with disabilities to attend and do better in public schools. Supports early intervention services that are important for Deaf and Hard of Hearing infants and toddlers. Medicaid provides services that protect and save lives. How do I know if I have Medicaid? Medicaid has different names in each state. If you are not sure whether you have Medicaid, you can look at the name of your insurance. If it does not say “Medicaid,” you can check online. If you see your health insurance listed under your state on the website, then you are covered by Medicaid. What does Medicaid include? For most people who have Medicaid, it includes health insurance to cover care from a doctor or a hospital as well as prescription. Medicaid can also include other services such as, waivers, programs for children with disabilities, or family caregiver support. Sometimes people have more than one insurance. Some people use only Medicaid. Other people use Medicaid with Medicare or other insurance. Why is Medicaid under attack? Some government officials want to cut Medicaid funding by $880 billion. If this happens, it would take money away from programs that help people with disabilities, including Deaf and Hard of Hearing people. If Medicaid loses funding, health care and support for millions of people will be reduced. The health of all those people will be at risk. What can you do? Contact your senators and representatives in Congress. To find out who your senators and representatives are, use the website link: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials/ Call their offices or send a letter explaining why Medicaid is important. Tell them that Medicaid helps millions of adults and children with disabilities who have healthcare and live independently. Tell them that cuts to Medicaid would take away important services from us and hurt us. You can share your story about why you need Medicaid. You can also ask for a meeting to discuss why Medicaid is important to you. Help us protect Medicaid. Contact your senators representatives now and tell them to oppose any cuts to Medicaid.