Medicaid Was There When I Needed It Most—Now It's at Risk

By Mary Jane Sanese, Communications Associate

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I was diagnosed with Endometriosis at 23, after ten years of unanswered questions, ER visits, and being told nothing was wrong. Like so many others living with chronic illness, my access to care depended on whether or not I had health coverage—something Medicaid would later make possible.

Endometriosis is a progressive, incurable condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it, causing chronic inflammation, pain, and sometimes infertility. It’s one of the top 20 most painful illnesses, according to the National Health Service. It typically takes a decade to diagnose, and a diagnosis can only be confirmed through surgery. Even after, managing symptoms requires ongoing care with specialists. For me, that’s meant surgery, gastroenterology care, pelvic floor therapy, bladder treatments, and routine preventive care to stay functional.

My health was failing and I was losing coverage

Living with a chronic illness—especially one that goes undiagnosed for so long—takes a toll not just on your body, but on your mental health. I wanted nothing more than to work, go to school, and live my life. But so often, my body had other plans. Even without sickness, navigating the health insurance system can be daunting and exhausting. No one chooses to struggle with their health, and the last thing a person needs when trying to get better is the fear of past due medical bills showing up in your mailbox.

When I was 25, I was about to age out of my mother’s health insurance. I was working full-time in an hourly job and attending school full-time—doing everything I could to stay afloat. I wasn’t looking for a handout, but I was drowning and did need a little help just to stay afloat. I didn’t earn enough to afford private marketplace insurance, but I qualified for Medicaid—and it was a huge relief.

In a season full of setbacks, Medicaid was the steady support that helped me move toward healing.

Medicaid gave me access—and hope

Medicaid allowed me to access the care I needed—care that was essential not just to survive, but to begin reclaiming my life and my health. Without it, I might have delayed going to the doctor out of fear of cost. And with a condition like Endometriosis, delays can mean years of worsening pain, complications, and irreversible damage. The lift of not having to worry about how I was going to afford treatment such as medication and appointments relieved me of so much stress, which I truly believe benefited my physical health.

During COVID-19, I lost my job and everything was so uncertain. The one thing I could count on was my Medicaid and that I still had access to healthcare. And that was such a relief.

Today, I’m fortunate to have employer-provided insurance, and I also have the option to be covered through my partner’s plan. But at the time I needed it most, Medicaid was there. And it made all the difference. It gave me access to comprehensive, ongoing care—and it quite literally saved my life. No one should have to choose between going to the doctor or paying their rent for the month.

But now, that same lifeline is at risk for hundreds of thousands of Ohioans.

Over three million people in Ohio are enrolled in Medicaid. If Congress moves forward with the proposed $880 billion in cuts, thousands risk losing coverage.

We can’t let that happen.

Join me in speaking out

Urge Congress to protect Medicaid and preserve access to the care so many families rely on—because no one should have to choose between their health and making ends meet.

I’m able to use my voice to advocate—but Ohio’s youngest children can’t speak up for themselves.

In Ohio, 48% of children under the age of six rely on Medicaid for their health care. We know that 90% of a child’s brain develops in the first five years of life, making early access to care not just critical—but foundational. Ensuring Medicaid coverage for our youngest Ohioans is one of the most important investments we can make in the future of our state.

Act now by visiting www.groundworkohio.org/medicaid