Growing up in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, my mom got me involved in our church’s “Fishes and Loaves” meal program when I was just seven years old. I served meals to people who were experiencing homelessness and needed food — often men who were veterans. As I cleaned tables, I listened to their stories of service and sacrifice, captivated by their courage. To me, they weren’t just “homeless”; they were heroes. But when some of those men stopped coming to our meals, I began to understand the harsh realities of poverty and the tragic consequences of inadequate support systems.

Years later, at 23, I managed a network of shelters in Green Bay that served veterans, survivors of domestic violence, people in recovery and others experiencing homelessness. I saw firsthand how many people fell through the cracks without access to health and mental health care. In response, we formed partnerships to bring onsite medical care to our shelters — an early effort to meet people where they were. This was an important lesson in the power of community and the critical role Medicaid plays in providing access to care.

Today, some in Washington are pushing for deep cuts to Medicaid. These efforts ignore the reality I’ve witnessed: Medicaid is a lifeline for all........

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