MomsRising, Families Over Billionaires, and a dozen other partners held a rally outside the Capitol just hours before House Republicans passed their budget and tax bill. Our member Arielle spoke to the crowd about the impacts this bill will have on her family. Here is her story:

My name is Arielle Benard. I’m an event planner, a mom, a family caregiver, and a proud member of MomsRising. And I’m here today to tell Congress: Hands off Medicaid! 

Like many of you here today, I’m a member of the sandwich generation, caring for my three-year-old son as well as my mother, who has frontotemporal dementia (FTD). 

Sandwich generation caregiving is not for the faint of heart – especially not in a country that has failed to invest in the care policies we need. But Medicaid is a lifeline for us. 

When my mom was first diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia, she had just started working as a marriage and family therapist.  She was saddled with student loans and was not making much money when she was forced into an early retirement at age 51 due to her diagnosis. 

Medicaid has been her primary insurance for nearly a decade now. It is a saving grace, helping her to remain in her home and community rather than a nursing facility. Medicaid covered her visits with her neurologist, and since last year it has also covered her hospice care – the in-home team of doctors and nurses who help alleviate her symptoms as she is now in the late stages of her illness. 

Caring for my mom while also growing my family is not easy. At times, I thought the stress would eat me alive. But Medicaid helps give me peace of mind. Medicaid means we don’t have to worry about draining my family’s savings or taking on deep medical debt so my mom can get the quality care she needs to maintain the comfort, support, and dignity we all deserve. Having access to care supports means I can remain in my job as an event planner, which helps support my family and allows me to contribute to my community. 

The drastic Medicaid cuts in the Republican budget package are heartless and terrifying for families like mine. They’re also insulting. Surely the health and wellbeing of people like my mom is more important than yet another round of tax breaks for billionaires and giant corporations. Surely keeping hospital doors open, boosting maternal health, ensuring kids can go to their checkups, and supporting seniors and people with disabilities should ALWAYS be the priority.

So I’m here today to say loudly and clearly: Moms won’t stand for it. 

Moms say NO to a budget that guts Medicaid. 

Moms say NO to more tax breaks for billionaires. 

Moms say NO to drastic cuts to nutrition, education and child care.

Moms say NO to a budget that puts the interests of the extremely wealthy above the needs of working families.

I’m so inspired by the amazing crowd here today, and I know that together, our voices and stories are powerful. I’m proud to fight with all of you for the investments families and our economy need. Thank you

Do you have a Medicaid story? We want to hear from you! Tell us your experience here.