PROJECT HISTORY

January 2018, El Centro joined Community Catalyst in their Community Voices of Medicaid initiative. An important part of this project has been that the community is informed about the Medicaid program and does not miss the opportunity it can provide. Each person is different with different needs and Medicaid helps that all the community has access to medical services and better health. We know that it also provides economic stability for families, impacting more than just their health.

To reach our Latino communities with information about Medicaid, like eligibility and how the program in Kansas works, we offer weekly community classes conducted by our Medicaid Ambassadors. We publish various photos, news and more on our Facebook page and in local bilingual paper, 2Más2. We make informative videos with our Health Navigators and Enrollment Specialists, host Facebook Live sessions, and interview often with La Mega radio to provide updates.

This year the project has focused on education efforts around the unwinding of the Public Health Emergency and that states will now begin the annual renewal process again. Many families have moved and there are many who currently have coverage that might not qualify anymore. Through collaboration with partners and designing culturally responsive and linguistically accessible media campaigns, we know our Latino community will be informed about these upcoming changes and be assisted every step of the way to keep their families covered and healthy.

MARIELA | KANSAS CITY, KS Un Recurso para Obtener Seguro Médico para Nuestros Hijos

Para mí es muy importante que mi niña tenga cobertura médica para que pueda recibir el cuidado médico apropiado como sus vacunas y chequeos rutinarios, o si pasas una emergencia médica. Es importante para su desarrollo y salud que pueda ir al doctor sin problemas. Para eso uno debe tener cobertura médica.

Durante mi embarazo no pude trabajar y ahora que ya tuve a mi bebe, no he podido regresar a trabajar. Soy madre soltera y no tengo familia aquí en Kansas que me pueda ayudar con cuidar a mi bebe. Mis ingresos cuando trabajaba eran muy bajos, por lo cual no podría pagar una cobertura médica privada para mi niña. No sabía cómo lo iba hacer.

Decidí aplicar para Medicaid, que me habían dicho que era una opción. Ahora mi niña puede recibir el cuidado médico adecuado para ella. Medicaid es importante para madres y padres que están en una situación similar a la mía, que no tenía los recursos para obtener un seguro médico para mi hija. Como padres nos preocupamos por la salud de nuestros hijos y es importante que ellos tengan acceso a un seguro médico. Ahora yo digo a esos padres que sí, sí pueden recibir atención médica para sus hijos a través de Medicaid.

A Resource to get Health Insurance for our Children

It is very important to me that my daughter has medical coverage so that she can receive appropriate medical care such as her vaccines and routine checkups, or if she has a medical emergency. It is important for her development and health that she can see a doctor without problems. For that, you must have medical coverage.

During my pregnancy I was unable to work and now that I have had my baby, I have not been able to return to work. I am a single mother and I have no family here in Kansas that can help me care for my baby. My income when I worked was very low, so I couldn’t afford private medical coverage for my daughter. I didn’t know how I was going to do it.

I decided to apply for Medicaid, which I had been told was an option. Now my daughter can receive the medical care that is right for her. Medicaid is important for mothers and fathers who are in a similar situation to me, who did not have the resources to obtain health insurance for my daughter. As parents we care about the health of our children, and it is important that they have access to health insurance. Now I say to those parents yes, yes you can receive health care for your children through Medicaid.