People

“Many of us have done things we never thought we’d be able to do as part of the Medicaid Expansion effort. Never in my life had I been a public speaker. Not once. But I learned how important it is that our stories come from us, that it’s our voice. It’s important we speak for ourselves. I also learned that if you don’t tell your own story, someone else will surely tell it for you.

The most rewarding part has been the conversations with dozens of people who were struggling with health care like me. I’ll be in the supermarket or at work or even on the street. I often hear: “Thank you for having the courage to say what I couldn’t,” or “my mother was like that,” or “I’m in the same boat.”

My dad used to say: “I’ve got your back but I’m not behind you, I’m beside you.” That’s how I feel about the Mainers for Health Care Leadership team and all the health care storytellers who came forward to share their experiences of going without healthcare, rationing insulin, medical debt and worse. We have each other’s backs and when one of us speaks out, we feel so supported. We see the worth and value in each other, and we see it in all of you.” 

—Kathy Phelps, Mainers for Healthcare Leadership Team Member and advocate for Medicaid expansion