Jack Barber+FollowI Was Helping Immigrants Translate Documents, and Their Aid Amount Shocked MeAs a community volunteer in Chicago, I help immigrants fill out forms. One day, I assisted a newly arrived family. When the system displayed the aid they qualified for, I was stunned— it was more than what I make from two part-time jobs. They were grateful. Meanwhile, I felt a wave of emotional conflict: Why am I helping them access more resources than I have? In that moment, I understood what “system shock” really means. Topics: #ShowUsTheBill #ImmigrantAid #VolunteerLife #PolicyImpact #ChicagoStories409396Share
Amy Cervantes+FollowThe Day Our Medicaid Was CutMy mom had been treating her diabetes at a community clinic for three years when her Medicaid was suddenly cut this spring. It wasn’t because she got rich—she took a few weeks of temporary cleaning work, and the system flagged her income. The doctor still wrote the prescription. The pharmacy quoted a price equal to half our rent. We sat in the car doing the math and bought only half the medication. On paper, it’s a fair review. In real life, fairness comes at the cost of health. #MedicaidCuts #HealthcareReality #CostOfLiving #PolicyImpact41Share
