Not that long ago I was a single mom with two young kids. I had a full-time good-paying job, but between childcare costs and leftover expenses from my divorce, I was just barely holding it all together. I didn’t qualify for aid, but I knew how close I was to the edge. One job loss, health problem, one unexpected expense—and I would’ve needed help. I am lucky though. I had parents who were able to step in when things got tight. Not everyone has that.
When I hear politicians talk about “cutting Medicaid to reduce fraud,” I have questions. Here’s the thing: I want fraud out of the system too. Of course I do. Nobody wants taxpayers footing the bill for shady providers who bill for fake visits or unnecessary procedures. However, making it harder for people to stay enrolled in Medicaid is NOT the same as cracking down on fraud.
Fraud happens when providers submit false claims or inflate charges. That’s not something a single mom trying to re-certify her coverage every six months is doing. That’s not a disabled person missing a renewal notice or an elderly person who needs help navigating paperwork. And yet, those are the people most likely to be harmed by the changes we’re seeing—shorter renewal periods, more paperwork, tighter eligibility rules.
If we really want to stop fraud, shouldn’t we instead invest in oversight: auditors, technology, data systems that flag suspicious billing patterns. We should go after the bad actors, not the people who need care. Instead, what we’re seeing in both state and federal budgets—Ohio included—are billions in cuts to Medicaid. Cuts that look like “savings” on a spreadsheet but come at a cost that’s hard to quantify: a parent skipping medicine to feed their kids. A child with asthma not getting regular checkups. An elderly person delaying care until it’s an emergency.
I think about how different my story could have been if I hadn’t had family support. I think about how quickly circumstances can shift—and how many people in my community are just one crisis away from needing help. Medicaid isn’t about handouts. It’s about stability. It’s about having a safety net that catches people when life gets hard—and makes it possible to get back on your feet.
So yes, let’s root out fraud. But let’s not pretend that punishing the people who need help the most is the same as fixing the problem.
Because it’s not.
Contact your elected officials, share your story, and urge them to invest in fraud prevention without punishing people who need care. Demand smart solutions—not harmful shortcuts. Remind people that Medicaid isn’t just a line item—it’s a lifeline. And it could be any of us who needs it someday.
Undaunted 