Hardworking Alaskans rely on Medicaid—Don’t take It away

I was born in Ketchikan and built my life in Big Lake, where I raised four boys. My husband is a firefighter, we own Manley Builders construction company, and all our now-grown children work. We’ve always been a hardworking family, but when my boys were young, even with multiple jobs, we couldn’t afford the high cost of medical care without Medicaid. And we’re not alone—Medicaid isn’t just for one group of people; it supports working families across Alaska, including those who work every day to make ends meet.

For the past five years, I’ve been a caregiver, a path I took after caring for a terminally ill family friend. I once feared the heartbreak of loss, but seeing how my care improves their life. Helping one client build a fire, work on his truck, and reclaim his joy changed everything. Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to this work, supporting veterans and others who rely on Medicaid to live with dignity.

Medicaid cuts threaten to strip away that dignity. When my clients lose hours, I lose income, making it harder to support my own family. One client barely manages with 13 hours of care a week—forcing impossible choices between cooking, cleaning, or simply getting him showered and clean. He only leaves for doctor’s appointments, and the isolation is taking a toll on his mental health. If Medicaid is cut further, he—and many others—will have no care at all.

Medicaid has been a lifeline for my family. Two of my sons have needed emergency care in Seattle, including my 20-year-old, whose heart condition required life-saving ablations. We could never afford those procedures out of pocket, with hospital stays costing tens of thousands.

People like to talk about Medicaid as if it’s a handout, but it’s not. Every American pays into Medicaid. It’s what allows our elders, veterans, and neighbors with disabilities to stay in their homes instead of institutions. It’s what ensures that working families don’t go bankrupt when a medical crisis hits. And right now, our Congressional Delegation needs to understand that Medicaid helps all of us. If you live in Alaska, you probably know someone who relies on it. Cutting Medicaid doesn’t just hurt the people receiving care—it hurts caregivers like me, families like mine, and communities across our state.

This isn’t a political issue. Some of the very legislators debating Medicaid cuts have family members who rely on it. Our healthcare system is already stretched thin, and we can’t afford to make things worse. If we truly care about the quality of life for Alaskans, then we must protect Medicaid. Lives depend on it.

Amber Manley is a caregiver, small business owner, and lifelong Alaskan who lives in Big Lake. She has spent the past five years caring for veterans and individuals with disabilities, ensuring they receive the support they need to live with dignity. As a mother of four and the wife of a firefighter, Amber understands firsthand how essential Medicaid is for working families who face unexpected medical crises.