Wanda Bankston: Georgia Woman Says Medicaid Became Her Lifeline After Workplace Accident

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — For Wanda Bankston, a career-ending accident transformed her life — and left her relying on Medicaid to survive.

Bankston, a former heavy equipment operator for Fulton County Government, had long enjoyed employer-sponsored health insurance. But just before retirement, a serious on-the-job accident forced her into back surgery to replace two spinal discs. She still needs two more.

“The accident left me without anything,” Bankston recalled. “So I’m very thankful for the Medicaid.”

Medicaid Coverage and Limits

Through Medicaid, Bankston is able to see her primary care doctor, fill prescriptions at little or no cost, and access certain specialists. Yet she admits the system isn’t perfect.

“Certain doctors, they don’t want to accept Medicaid because of the limitations on them,” she explained. “I’ve had a few specialists that would not accept Medicaid.”

Even so, she remains deeply grateful. “I am still thankful for the Medicaid because I am able to still get my needs met there,” she said. Without it, she believes her health would be in dire jeopardy.

Fear of Losing Coverage

Having never been without insurance before her accident, Bankston says the thought of losing Medicaid now is frightening.

“Just to think of it is enough to say I don’t want to be in that predicament,” she said. “Because that will leave me to where I’m vulnerable as to getting the care that I need for my health.”

A Message to Lawmakers

Asked what she would tell Congress, Bankston said she never intended to rely on government insurance programs.

“I structured my life that I wouldn’t have to be on Medicaid or any other kind of entity program,” she explained. “With that being said, however, it has been a blessing given I was thrust into this situation. It has been a blessing that I had the Medicaid because without that, I would not have been able to take care of my health as well as I have now.”

Wanda’s story underscores the importance of Medicaid for people whose lives change in an instant. Share your thoughts on how access to healthcare has shaped your life or that of your family at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.