Jose's Story

Health insurance through the Medicaid program helps thousands of Utah families. About 20% of children who live in our state have access to healthcare thanks to Medicaid. Including Jose and his two children:

Jose first heard about the Medicaid program a few weeks before he lost his eyesight.

He was frightened at the inevitable but wanted to provide some form of comfort for his two children. When he lost his eyesight Jose also lost his job and later that year lost his left leg. 

He struggled to provide for his family but began renting a single bedroom in a house for his two children and himself. With such limited space his thirteen-year-old daughter had to move in with her grandparents.

Despite his circumstances Jose was determined to not “ask” for anything. Jose was especially wary of applying for Medicaid under the current political climate.

So, Jose began taking classes at The Blind Center  where he was taught how to make pens out of wood. 

With that skill in hand, he saw an opportunity to provide for his family and began selling his pens around Salt Lake City. 

However, after embarking on this new endeavor he was unable to create enough revenue to pay for his family’s necessities.

Jose then gave Comunidades Unidas a call, a local non-profit that works to empower the Latino community. Jose’s decision to seek support changed his life and the lives of his children.

His children were both able to obtain health insurance through Medicaid. Today, Jose is thankful that his children have the coverage they need because they can receive their annual check-ups and vaccinations. 

Jose says obtaining the coverage has removed a barrier that has allowed him to continue working to provide for his family.

Programs like Medicaid and CHIP help Utah families like Jose’s obtain access to health care so they can thrive. 

Jose lives in Salt Lake County, Utah.