Medicaid saved my family: Alaska’s leaders need to keep their word

I was born and raised in Fairbanks, and caregiving has always been a part of my life. As a military brat, I learned early on the importance of family and community. I’ve spent over 30 years caring for others, first through home daycare and then as a licensed caregiver. It’s what I do, and it’s who I am.

I see what Medicaid means for my clients. One of them, an elderly woman who is wheelchair-bound, wouldn’t be able to afford her care or therapy without it. Like so many others, she depends on these programs to survive.

That’s why I went to Washington, D.C. to talk to our—to make sure our leaders heard from real people who rely on Medicaid. I wanted them to understand the stakes.

Without Medicaid, my clients would lose the care they rely on, I would lose the job that allows me to support them, and my own family—who also depend on Medicaid—would be left without coverage.

My mother has kidney failure, blood cancer, and vertigo. She’s survived a stroke and has a major shoulder surgery coming up. Without Medicaid, the medical care she needs would be completely out of reach.

My daughter has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), functional dysplasia, and gastroparesis—complex conditions that no doctor in Alaska can treat. That means frequent trips to Seattle, where I have to cover travel and other costs. Without Medicaid, I wouldn’t just be struggling—I would be losing the two people who mean everything to me.

When I went to D.C. and met with Rep. Nick Begich, he looked me in the eye and said, “You have my full support, 100 percent. Just tell me your stories.” He hugged me. He made me believe he cared. But when the time came to vote, he turned his back on us. He lied.

The betrayal stings. I am not willing to stop fighting for my family, my clients, or for the countless hardworking Alaskans who rely on Medicaid. There are so many people out there doing everything right—working hard, owning businesses, contributing to their communities—but still unable to afford basic medical care.

There is no shame in asking for help. The people who refuse to ask are often the ones we lose—to poverty, to homelessness, to untreated illnesses. Medicaid isn’t charity—it’s a system we pay into. I work. I pay taxes. I contribute. If I need help, I should be able to access it, just like anyone else who has worked and contributed.

The push to cut Medicaid isn’t about saving money—it’s about making the rich even richer. But they are already rich enough. We’re not asking for their wealth. We’re asking for our leaders to honor the commitments they made to us.

I ask Alaska leaders to fight for us. Stand up for Medicaid. Because without it, more Alaskans will suffer, and more will die.

God intended for us to take care of one another. When we start singling people out—deciding who deserves care and who doesn’t—we lose our humanity. We are all human. We all have hearts. We all struggle. Let’s keep Medicaid alive, for the sake of every Alaskan who needs it.

Essie Frank is a dedicated caregiver from Fairbanks, Alaska, with over 30 years of experience caring for families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Born and raised in Fairbanks, she has devoted her life to supporting others, both professionally and personally.