A Gaston County mother whose daughter has cerebral palsy depends on Medicaid benefits to help her daily life.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. β Congress is proposing $880 million in cuts to the Medicaid program, which provides coverage to millions of poor and disabled Americans, meaning people could be left without the care they currently depend on.
A Gaston County mother is fearful about her daughter’s future in light of this debate. Her daughter has cerebral palsy and her Medicaid benefits help her day-to-day life.
At 30 years old, Kelly Ryan still relies on her mother MaryAnn to help with most everything she does. Her mom often translates for her, including during WCNC Charlotte’s interview with her.
“Cognitively, she understands, but she has physical impairments and emotional regulation is tricky,” MaryAnn Ryan explained to WCNC Charlotte. “She’s a little bit slower processing.”
MaryAnn Ryan said her family’s Medicaid benefits are “very crucial.”
“We started getting services when she was 3 years old,” MaryAnn Ryan said. “They provided caregivers so that I could get out. For her medicine, I have to literally put them in her mouth and make sure she swallows them, cut up her food, help her with bathing, hygiene, you name it.”
Kelly is now a junior in college studying counseling, something she can only do thanks to the help of caregivers which is paid for by Medicaid.
“Kelly is an adult,” MaryAnn Ryan said. “She deserves to go to college. She loves to learn.”
That is something that could all go away if the proposed cuts are made.
“It could affect us, and I donβt know how,” MaryAnn Ryan shared. “I need an income, and she needs to stay out of an institution, and this is how we make it work. In other words, without Medicaid help, Iβd be forced to have her institutionalized. I’m 65. At what point can I no longer take care of her?”
It’s likely if Congress makes the proposed cuts, the states would have to find the money to pay for programs which could either mean a tax increase or cutting other state-funded programs.
Contact Michelle Boudin at mboudin@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts that impact you from WCNC Charlotte, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app and enable push notifications.
