Audrey’s Story
- Idaho
- Story
- Economic Freedom
Audrey
(ID-02)
Hi, I am Audrey and I am a resident of Idaho. I live with my partner and our two adorable cats. I’m a big fan of crafting– right now I’m learning to sew and I love to spend my time outside at parks and lakes!
I grew up in a hard-working middle-class American family that helped provide for my needs growing up and throughout my early 20s. When I turned 26, I was no longer able to use my parent’s health coverage and I was faced with the difficult reality of the outrageous costs of healthcare. Thankfully, I was able to turn to Medicaid to cover my health expenses. While on Medicaid, I was able to receive life-saving mental health care, which allowed me to continue to build my future. I was also able to receive the Pell Grant while I was in school… and the Pell Grant and Medicaid were basically the only way I was able to finish school. I don’t think I could have gotten my degree without the Pell Grant.
While on Medicaid, I was able to receive life-saving mental health care, which allowed me to continue to build my future.
I am now no longer on Medicaid, but I want it to be available to all those who may need it. Because I am still low-income, but not low enough to qualify for Medicaid, I do currently benefit from the premium tax credit here in Idaho, which helps me to purchase a cheaper health insurance plan through the marketplace. I am incredibly grateful for programs like these.
Programs like Medicaid and education grants like the Pell Grant help everyone. Everyone deserves to be able to get treatment for their health issues. I have had to make difficult decisions between bills, food, and my health. But while on Medicaid I was safe from having to make those kinds of choices. I was able to focus on bettering my life in other ways while receiving the support I needed from the government.
If there was universal access to food and healthcare people would have time to focus on things that matter… like family and community. The world would be a kinder place if all basic needs of every human were guaranteed by the society we were all a part of.
