When I joined the U.S. Air Force, I was proud to serve. I believed in the promise this country makes to its service members: that if we serve our nation and our communities, we earn the opportunity to build a better future for ourselves and our families.
For most of my life, I’ve done exactly that. I’ve worked hard, paid my taxes and served my country and community. I never once thought I’d need programs like Medicaid. But now, at 64 years old, facing health challenges that come with age, I see how important these programs are and how quickly they can be taken away.
The budget reconciliation bill Congress passed and that was signed into law in July puts North Carolinians like me at risk, including thousands of veterans. The bill includes deep cuts to Medicaid, a program that has now become essential as I search for affordable health care and support…