Every April, Medicaid Awareness Month gives us the opportunity to spotlight a vital healthcare program that provides life‑saving coverage to 76 million Americans nationwide. For millions of individuals and families, Medicaid is more than insurance, it is the gateway to preventive care, chronic disease management, maternity services, pediatric care, and behavioral health support that might otherwise be out of reach.
As a community health center, Medicaid is deeply connected to our mission. Many of the patients we serve rely on this program to access timely, affordable, and compassionate care. Protecting Medicaid means protecting the health and stability of our communities.
Why Medicaid Matters in Indiana and Beyond
Medicaid plays a critical role across Indiana and especially in the communities we serve:
- 1.5 million Hoosiers are covered by Medicaid, and 39% of them are children. This coverage helps ensure kids receive regular checkups, immunizations, and early interventions that support healthy development.
- Marion County has one of the highest Medicaid enrollment rates in the state, with approximately 35% of residents enrolled. This reflects both the level of need in the community and the importance of Medicaid as a foundation for local healthcare access.
- More than 40% of all births in the United States are covered by Medicaid, making it an essential support for prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum services.
These numbers are not just statistics, they represent neighbors, families, and patients whose health depends on consistent access to care.
Medicaid Strengthens Families and Communities
Medicaid coverage helps individuals seek care earlier rather than delaying treatment due to cost. This leads to better health outcomes, fewer emergency room visits, and lower long‑term healthcare costs. For families, Medicaid provides peace of mind, knowing that preventive visits, prescriptions, and specialty care are within reach.
At the community level, Medicaid also supports health centers, hospitals, and providers, allowing them to continue delivering care in areas where resources may be limited.
Our Role as a Community Health Center
As an organization committed to equitable, patient‑centered care, we see firsthand how Medicaid improves health outcomes and reduces barriers to care. Advocating for Medicaid means standing up for the patients who depend on it and for a healthcare system that prioritizes access, prevention, and dignity.
Our Enabling Services team provides patients with resources beyond healthcare, such as our food pantries and resource navigation. Our Community Resource Navigators (CRNs) are especially trained to assist patients with insurance information and application. In 2025, this team submitted over 1,000 Medicaid applications on behalf of our patients!
We asked this team to provide some thoughts on why they see Medicaid as being so important for our patients and communities and beyond.
Lindsay Cox, Enabling Services Manager, says: “Medicaid is important because it provides Indiana residents, especially those with low income, access to the healthcare they need. Advocating for Medicaid means educating our communities, helping eligible individuals enroll in coverage, and sharing real stories that show how this program improves the overall health of individuals.”
Melissa Amburgey, our Social Services Coordinator, adds: “Medicaid makes a real difference in people’s lives. I see every day how it opens doors to care that would otherwise be out of reach. Advocating for Medicaid means standing up for the wellbeing of the families and individuals who depend on it.”
Lisa Odiorne, Community Resource Navigator at the Anderson 1210B location states: “The mission of Jane Pauley Community Health Center is to provide accessible, respectful, and integrated healthcare to all regardless of insurance status and Medicaid plays a large role in making that mission a reality for our patients every day. Advocating for Medicaid is part of advocating for our patients. Their access to care depends on it.”
And, Centera Webb, Community Health Worker at our Washington Pavilion Pediatric site concludes: “Medicaid saves lives, protects families, and strengthens communities—raising your voice for it is raising hope for everyone.”
We are so thankful for our amazing Enabling Services team who are dedicated to extending equitable care in our communities through services such as Medicaid enrollment. During Medicaid Awareness Month, we encourage staff, partners, and community members to learn more about the program’s impact and to lend their voices in support of policies that strengthen and protect Medicaid for future generations.
Together, we can help ensure that everyone, regardless of income, age, or circumstance, has access to the care they need to live healthy lives.
