How Medicaid Keeps Families Healthy and Strong: Rocio’s Story

Meet Rocio  

She’s a parent of four and a leader at Center for Health Progress in Colorado. At the age of 3, Rocio’s daughter Sariah was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. This October will mark 10 years since Sariah’s diagnosis – and thanks to Medicaid, she’s healthy and thriving.  

In April 2025, Rocio shared her story with congressional staff in Washington, D.C., joining storytellers and health justice advocates from across the country to discuss the impact of medical debt, action from lawmakers and call for no cuts to Medicaid, a lifeline for millions of families like Rocio’s.  

Forced Into Medical Debt 

I know what it is like to have private insurance and have such high co-pays that you are forced into debt. I had a good job working in the legal field with decent pay, and I was insured.  

At the age of 3, my son needed an urgent surgery at Children’s Hospital. That surgery worried me so much, because I already had debt I was paying off from when I was pregnant with him. That urgent surgery added a tremendous amount of debt that I simply couldn’t pay off while supporting my kids on my salary. 

Several years later, I was sent to collections and eventually my wages were garnished. We had several moments where we feared being evicted, utilities were shut off, we did not have enough money for food, or to pay for medical care. It was a very difficult moment that I know sadly many families face today.   

A Call to Protect Medicaid: A Lifeline for Families 

By the time I had my twins, my kids were eligible for Medicaid. Medicaid has allowed our family to focus on the medical needs of my children.  

When my daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, we learned that there is no cure for her disease, only treatment. Her body doesn’t produce insulin anymore, and doctors told us that she would have to rely on injections or a pump to give her insulin every day. The cost of insulin every three months is over $900.  

If Medicaid is cut or reduced at all, it would have devastating effects on our family and many more families like mine that have chronic diseases or that need constant medical care to stay alive. My children and everyone else’s deserve and have a right to live their lives and pursue their dreams.  

Medicaid has allowed her to have an insulin pump which reduces the number of daily injections and allows her to play more like a normal kid. She can do what she enjoys without constant monitoring. Without this care, my daughter would not survive.  

I know many of you have children or a loved one who needs medical care. How much is their life worth to you? Is it less valuable than putting more money into the pockets of billionaires? Our children, our loved ones’ lives are valuable, and we need Medicaid to help our families live. 

Today, I urge everyone here to do everything you can to fight for hardworking families—families who put their trust in you and elected you. The stakes are high, and for many families like mine, it’s a life-or-death situation.  

Do not ignore this; the people you represent are counting on you to do the right thing.