Campaign to Protect Medicaid Continues

AlohaCare News Release

Molokai Medicaid beneficiaries can help support the healthcare program by sharing stories of the importance of Medicaid with lawmakers.
During Medicaid Awareness Month, AlohaCare highlights the crucial role of Medicaid to Hawaii’s residents. Known as QUEST locally, the federal and state funded program provides health insurance for over 400,000 of our neighbors, friends, and family. As a nonprofit health plan, AlohaCare will raise awareness, show appreciation and continue to advocate on behalf of Medicaid beneficiaries. AlohaCare invites the public to join the celebration by thanking their healthcare provider and sharing a positive story of how Medicaid may have helped an individual or family through their health journey. Visit alohacare.org to view and submit an online form or video.
Due to the ongoing concerns regarding federal Medicaid funding, AlohaCare’s commitment to collect and share stories from the public will continue until the federal and state Medicaid budgets are finalized. To lend support, visit linktr.ee/sharemystory to directly submit a story in writing or by video.
Medicaid turns 60 this year. The program ensures quality medical care, including long-term care, for those who meet certain criteria, including income, age and disability. Medicaid covers foster kids, a third of all children and one in three births statewide.
“Medicaid serves as a vital safety net for individuals and families who cannot afford private health insurance or who have limited access to employer-sponsored coverage,” said Francoise Culley-Trotman, CEO of AlohaCare. “Medicaid Awareness Month is a way to honor them, the state’s Med-QUEST program and our thousands of providers who care for patients on Medicaid.”
To honor Medicaid, AlohaCare created “I HEART MEDICAID” buttons for staff, offices, providers and community partners. Social media toolkits with the hashtag #Medicaid Awareness Month will be shared with nonprofit partners.
Hawaii spends over $3 billion annually on Medicaid, with federal funds covering about 73 percent. AlohaCare continues advocacy efforts, sharing collected stories with lawmakers to protect and maintain Medicaid as an essential social program.
“Medicaid is an essential resource that over 400,000 people across our islands rely on for healthcare,” said Sen. Hirono. “Gutting Medicaid would have devastating consequences for so many in our communities, and stories about the crucial role this program serves in people’s lives will help to raise awareness of just how critical this program is.
Culley-Trotman looks forward to reading the stories from past and present members. “Storytelling can be empowering,” she said. “By sharing this opportunity, we hope our community members feel that they too have a voice.”
To learn more about AlohaCare, please visit alohacare.org.