Kansas Stories: Rebecca

Rebecca is a mother and grandmother in Wichita who, like thousands of others, faces the harsh realities of the health care coverage gap. While she waited for a decision on her disability case, Rebecca was able to qualify for MediKan, a state-funded program that allows those applying for Disability to be covered by Medicaid. However, this coverage is only available for one year, despite the fact that many people seeking disability wait years for a decision to be made in their case, and often have

Topics: All Consumer Stories, Behavioral Health, Disability Stories, Workforce Stories

Kansas stories: Stephen

Stephen is a father of two from Buhler, Kansas. He is trying to make his life better for his family. After working as a server for awhile, he decided to enroll in a computer program coding bootcamp could help him find a higher paid position -- and hopefully one with health insurance. He took time away from his newborn baby to attend this bootcamp with the hopes that it would propel his career forward.

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Kansas stories: Doug & Jake

Doug opened his heart and his home to a child in need and adopted Jake out of foster care. Like all other kids adopted out of foster care, Jake was covered under Medicaid until he turned 18. But once the public health emergency ended and redeterminations began again, Jake lost his health insurance. Because Kansas has not expanded Medicaid, he is uninsured and in the coverage gap.

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Kansas stories: Dr. David Mouillé

Dr. David Mouillé is a retired forensic psychologist from Bonner Springs. He’s spent his career working within the Kansas criminal justice system and helping patients who have behavioral health needs. “In its current form, Medicaid does not adequately address the problems of needy Kansans and does not protect healthy Kansans,” he recently wrote in a letter to the Kansas Legislature.

Topics: All Consumer Stories, Behavioral Health, Healthcare Providers

Kansas stories: Tayla

Tayla is from Lindsborg, Kansas. She is a mom and she currently recently started working for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Kansas. She's excited about her work and sees longevity in her career. Tayla has experienced mental health issues for most of her life. She has Bipolar I and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

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Kansas stories: Crystal

October 2023 Crystal is from Riley county. She is a mom of two and a social work student. Today Crystal works part-time at a shelter, but in 2016 she became very sick and had to stop working. For a period of time, Crystal was uninsured. She didn’t get any care while she was without insurance, […]

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Kansas stories: Theresa*

Theresa is from western Kansas and is a mom of two. Her coverage gap story is about her son, David. David has been enrolled in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which has been a huge help getting his behavioral health needs met. It has also helped him stay on much needed medications, which cost about $2,000. Prior to having health insurance, David spent a lot of time in special needs classrooms, but with the treatment and medication he was able to get through CHIP, that changed.

Topics: All Consumer Stories, Behavioral Health, Workforce Stories

Kansas stories: Stephanie

Stephanie is from Paola, Kansas. She is a mom of three children and a caretaker for her grandfather. When the pandemic hit, Stephanie lost her job. Like so many other Kansans, she struggled. Stephanie will lose her KanCare coverage during the renewal process. Since she owns her own cleaning business, she does not have access to employer-sponsored health insurance. Knowing this is a major stressor in Stephanie's life.

Topic: Behavioral Health