Kansas stories: Kelsey Vetter

Kelsey is a grant writer from Lenexa. She has mild Ataxic Cebrebral Palsy, which is a brain disorder that affects balance and coordination. She works part-time for a non-profit organization, and because she isn't a full-time employee, she is not offered health insurance. Her income is too low to qualify for health insurance on the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

Topics: All Consumer Stories, Disability Stories, Medical Debt Stories, Workforce Stories

Kansas stories: Julie Jenesta

Julie Jenesta is a social worker at the Salvation Army. She spends her time working with low-income families in northeast Kansas. Many of Julie's clients are single parents who are struggling to take care of themselves, especially when it comes to their health.

Topics: All Consumer Stories, Families, Workforce Stories

Kansas stories: Tammy

Tammy is a grandmother who recently moved from Kansas City, Missouri, to Shawnee Mission, Kansas. While living in Missouri she qualified for Medicaid; Missouri expanded their Medicaid program in 2021. When she moved to Kansas, she lost access to affordable health insurance since Kansas has not expanded its Medicaid program.

Topics: All Consumer Stories, Families, Workforce Stories

Kansas stories: Tayla

Tayla is from Lindsborg, Kansas. She is a mom and she currently recently started working for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Kansas. She's excited about her work and sees longevity in her career. Tayla has experienced mental health issues for most of her life. She has Bipolar I and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Topics: All Consumer Stories, Behavioral Health, Workforce Stories

Kansas stories: Crystal

October 2023 Crystal is from Riley county. She is a mom of two and a social work student. Today Crystal works part-time at a shelter, but in 2016 she became very sick and had to stop working. For a period of time, Crystal was uninsured. She didn’t get any care while she was without insurance, […]

Topics: All Consumer Stories, Behavioral Health, Families, Workforce Stories

Kansas stories: Robyn

Robyn lives in Newton and is a mom. Unfortunately Robyn is one of the thousands of Kansans who have recently lost their health insurance and now does not have access to affordable health care. Like so many others, Robyn relied on KanCare for her health insurance during the COVID public health emergency. While she had KanCare she was able to see the doctor and fill her prescriptions to stay healthy and productive.

Topics: All Consumer Stories, Workforce Stories

Kansas stories: Theresa*

Theresa is from western Kansas and is a mom of two. Her coverage gap story is about her son, David. David has been enrolled in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which has been a huge help getting his behavioral health needs met. It has also helped him stay on much needed medications, which cost about $2,000. Prior to having health insurance, David spent a lot of time in special needs classrooms, but with the treatment and medication he was able to get through CHIP, that changed.

Topics: All Consumer Stories, Behavioral Health, Workforce Stories

Kansas stories: Stephanie

Stephanie is from Paola, Kansas. She is a mom of three children and a caretaker for her grandfather. When the pandemic hit, Stephanie lost her job. Like so many other Kansans, she struggled. Stephanie will lose her KanCare coverage during the renewal process. Since she owns her own cleaning business, she does not have access to employer-sponsored health insurance. Knowing this is a major stressor in Stephanie's life.

Topic: Workforce Stories