Our Work Consumer Stories
Shannon

Shannon

Shannon, a dedicated mother of two, knows the struggle of paying for medical care. And, as a single parent of a child with several medical diagnoses who requires long-term care, this is especially true.

Between deductibles, premiums and co-pays, trying to care for her family’s “medically complicated” lives would prove to be a serious financial concern. Luckily, being enrolled in Medicaid eases some of this burden for Shannon and her family. Medicaid provides her son with hearing aids, dental care, surgeries and important medications, all of which would be difficult to attain without coverage.

Having Medicaid means Shannon doesn’t have to choose between financial hardship and assuring that all of her son’s needs are addressed. Instead, she can focus on being a steadfast mother to her family and advocate for “equity across all systems, for all.”

Photo credit: Barry Guitierrez, courtesy of Colorado Consumer Health Initiative

Consumer Stories

The needs and experiences of health care consumers — particularly people in marginalized or low-income communities or with complex needs and significant disabilities — are the driving force of the Center’s work. Documenting and amplifying patients’ real-life health care situations, in their own words, is central to our ability to create a health care system that works for all of us. Click below for stories from some of the consumers we work with.

Shannon

Shannon, a dedicated mother of two, knows the struggle of paying for medical care. And, as a single parent of a child with several medical diagnoses who requires long-term care, this is especially true.

Formeeca

Formeeca makes her family’s health care her priority, often putting her own care on pause to focus on helping her daughter and her son, who has autism, secure their needed health care.
Chelsea

Like other girls her age, Chelsea loves to sing, play sports and spend quality time with her family and friends. But Chelsea has unique needs that must be met and her Medicaid coverage is key to Chelsea’s ability to thrive at school and in her many other activities.