Article Summary –
Maggie Gladson’s son Charlie, who suffers from multiple severe health conditions, relies on Medicaid to cover the medical expenses that their family insurance does not, preventing financial ruin for their family. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed by President Donald Trump, significantly cut Medicaid funding, leading to concerns about the future of essential services for those like Charlie who benefit from Pennsylvania’s waiver program, a variant of the Katie Beckett Medicaid Program. Gladson expresses frustration that the broader public and policymakers may not fully understand or prioritize the critical support Medicaid provides to families dealing with severe health challenges, advocating for cuts in areas other than essential health care services.
Maggie Gladson emphasizes that Medicaid is crucial for her son Charlie’s wellbeing, averting financial devastation for their family in New Oxford, Pennsylvania.
Gladson, her husband Chip, and their children Stella, Mina, and Charlie live on six acres. Charlie suffers from hypoplastic left heart syndrome, requiring three heart surgeries so far.
Additionally, he has Cornelia de Lange syndrome, impacting all body systems. Nonverbal, Charlie receives home-based services, including physical, occupational, and speech therapies.
“Every system is affected by these syndromes,” Gladson shared with the Pennsylvania Independent.
President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act slashes Medicaid funding by $1 trillion over ten years, as per the Center for American Progress.
Charlie has been part of Pennsylvania’s Medicaid waiver program, akin to the Katie Beckett Medicaid Program, enabling care at home instead of hospitals.
Medicaid supports nearly 25% of Pennsylvanians; 750,000 are disabled.
Gladson’s husband’s insurance covers basic healthcare; Medicaid funds Charlie’s additional needs, including a school nurse, medications, his G-tube supplies, an iPad, syringes, and orthotic devices.
“We’d have faced bankruptcy without Medicaid,” Gladson asserted. “In rural areas, nurse availability is limited, crucial for Charlie’s schooling.”
Charlie’s personality transcends his health challenges. “He has a dark, mischievous humor,” Gladson noted. “He loves music, playing keyboards daily. He’s vibrant and playful.”
Gladson expressed frustration over public misconceptions about Medicaid cuts. “It’s disheartening when people fail to understand the impact,” she said. “Cuts should target non-healthcare areas, like excessive executive compensation. Change is slow, but there’s hope.”
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