Erica Helped Non-English Speaking Woman Get Insured After Surgery While Pregnant

I work in Yankton, South Dakota for an organization called South Dakota Voices for Peace. My role there is to assist the community in navigating resources. I come from a background where, you know, I experienced some situations that I wish there was someone there I could go to, to ask for assistance. I always stress that here in the US, it is crucial to have medical insurance. It’s better to prevent than to wait until you know are very ill or something happens to you.

Most of the time, individuals don’t have insurance when they come to see me. Because they are looking either to apply for Medicaid, or if they don’t qualify for Medicaid they’re looking for an alternative for that—which would be the Marketplace.

I had this single mother who was pregnant and who had recently had surgery. I remember the day that she came to do the Medicaid application. It was the day after she had the surgery. Could you imagine? She was still in pain and she was very worried—and the fact that we were able to help her (in her language), to process that application. When we learned that she got approved, she got some sort of relief, you know. She was now insured! Now she has a job. She can provide for her family. Her baby still has Medicaid. It’s so reassuring to see that now she’s able to provide for her family and see her daughter grow happy and healthy. Situations like that is what makes me keep doing the work I do.

When we learned that she got approved, she got some sort of relief.

Now that we have Medicaid expansion, it doesn’t matter if you’re over 18-years-old, you can still qualify if you are under the income guidelines. Please make sure you apply. You can get connected to a community health worker or a social worker or somebody in your community that can guide you through process. At the beginning it can be a little bit overwhelming. But once you get there, you get the full benefits. It will be beneficial for you and your family—and your community. All the health services that you have are available once you’re insured!