Trina Martin said her 9-year-old daughter Eleanor has made significant progress this past year, like communicating more clearly. But that progress could soon stall.
Eleanor, who has Down syndrome and a pacemaker from open-heart surgery as an infant, is set to lose her Medicaid coverage by the end of the month.
Her family was recently notified that she no longer meets the eligibility criteria to remain enrolled, despite her diagnosis remaining the same.
“She’s communicating with us, and she’s being a little smart-mouth kid sometimes — and it makes us so happy,” Trina Martin said.
The Martins enrolled Eleanor in Kentucky’s Medicaid program just last year, giving her access to therapies that have improved her speech and other areas of development. Losing coverage could force the family to pay out-of-pocket for essential services — something Martin said she will do to help her daughter, but put a strain on their family.
Eleanor’s case is not isolated. Martin says families across Kentucky are raising concerns as the state reviews Medicaid eligibility in the wake of federal efforts to cut program waste.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson recently said the proposed federal budget aims to reform, not reduce, Medicaid spending.
“What you’re doing is reforming Medicaid to preserve it, not cut it,” Johnson said. “We are saving Medicaid and trying to get it to people who need it the most.”
Martin is appealing the denial, a lengthy process that will require hiring a lawyer. She has also reached out to Kentucky U.S. Rep. James Comer for help reversing the decision.
“I don’t know what that will consist of, but they are all well aware of the situation,” she said. “We only ask that anybody else that is getting denied call your congressman.”
Martin is not alone in her concern. She said other families are also worried their children may lose vital services.
“There is a village that helps with these kids, and they’re all worried right now,” Martin said. “And that’s not necessary.”
While she admits the appeal process will be an uphill battle, Martin said she’s hopeful lawmakers will recognize what’s at stake.
“It’s not time to be political,” she said. “It’s time to protect our kids.”
The post Kentucky families sound alarm, fearing children with disabilities will lose Medicaid coverage first appeared on Voxtrend News.
