Medicaid Brings Peace of Mind to Family

Colorado Home Coordinator Sees Benefit of Medicaid in Her Work and in Her Family

Paige Ballinger sees both sides of the need for Medicaid services. As a Mosaic at Home Coordinator, she sees how Medicaid provides needed services to people with diverse needs supported by Mosaic in Northern Colorado. As a niece of someone supported by Mosaic, she sees and is grateful for the relief Medicaid provides for her family who could no longer provide everything her aunt needed.

Her aunt, Judy Williams, developed a disability shortly after birth.

“My grandma raised my aunt, and she lived at home with my grandparents until after she graduated high school at the age of 22. My grandmother spent most of her motherhood trying to meet all of my aunt’s needs, while working, and my aunt requires 24-hour supervision, uses a wheelchair to get around, needs support with incontinence care and has behavioral needs.”

But her family’s life changed after Judy moved into a Mosaic group home.

“My aunt receiving services has impacted each and every one of my family members’ lives, most significantly my aunt and grandmother.”

After her move to Mosaic, her family was pleased to see the “more focused support that allowed her to grow,” Paige said. Later, she moved into Mosaic at Home shared living, where she has thrived.

“She has stable people in her life who know her better than anyone else,” Paige said. “They know if something is off with her health just from subtle changes in her behavior. They know how to support her to help her be as independent as possible and to reach her goals.”

The budget bill Congress passed in July will bring cuts to Medicaid services. Paige said she doesn’t know what her family would do without the supports provided by Mosaic through Medicaid. Paige’s mother, Jody, is Judy’s guardian. But she also takes care of their mother, who now has memory issues. Judy’s father lives on his own, but needs regular attention from Jody, too.

“Medicaid impacts not just the people that so desperately need these services but to the families that support and care for them as well.”

Mosaic Vice President of External Affairs, Cheryl Wick, said Medicaid advocacy continues to be important.

“We are still concerned with the downstream impact the overall Medicaid cuts will have on those we serve and our workforce–in particular, the impact to our states,” she said. “As we look ahead, we will continue to advocate to preserve and protect Medicaid. Congress might still consider other federal legislation this year that could impact us.”

To become an advocate and help preserve and protect services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, join Mosaic Allied Voices. It’s an easy way to submit emails or make phone calls to your members of Congress.

Watch this video about Judy and her family.