Wendy
Allegheny County, PA · August 17, 2026 · Southwest PA Healthcare Rights Committee
“If I didn’t have Medicaid, I would be in so much debt. If I didn’t have Medicaid, I would be in pain, because I can’t afford these issues.”
My childhood was healthy. When turned 21, I was diagnosed with asthma. After having children my teeth started to break. Years later, I was put on medication for high blood pressure. Sleep apnea came next. I have been through a lot over the past 10-15 years. I’ve had surgery on cataracts in both eyes, both knees replaced, I have arthritis. My cholesterol is off and I might have type 2 diabetes.
If I didn’t have Medicaid, I would be in so much debt. If I didn’t have Medicaid, I would be in pain, because I can’t afford these issues. I also have degenerative disc disease in my back. I have dentures and they broke. You only get one set of dentures for life through Medicaid, but I could really use another set. I don’t see that happening unless we change things.