Medicaid Stories

Bishop Joseph Kopacz of the Catholic Archdiocese in Jackson, Mississippi works with faith leaders across Mississippi to address lack of access to care and the need to expand Medicaid.

Reverend Jason Coker is the President of Together for Hope, a multi-state coalition that fights to address poverty in communities with persistent rural poverty, including the Mississippi Delta. He advocates for Medicaid expansion which will provide access to care for the working poor throughout the Delta and in other rural areas.

Dr. Jeff Parker of Southside Baptist Church works in the inner city in Jackson, Mississippi. Members of his congregation need access to care that can be realized through Medicaid expansion. Many currently only address health issues when the illness has reached a point that they make a visit to the E.R. Despite working two to three jobs to make ends meet, wellness and health checks remain inaccessible until Medicaid is expanded.

Bishop Ronnie C. Crudup is Senior Pastor at New Horizon Church International in Jackson, Mississippi. Bishop Crudup became involved with Medicaid expansion because he believes health care is a right that every citizen in Mississippi should have. His wife is a testament to having access to health care when diagnosed with breast cancer. He sees way too many of his congregation that work and still fall into the Medicaid gap.

Mississippi Faith Leader, Rev. Susannah Carr is the associate pastor and minister to families at Galloway United Methodist Church in Jackson. As a parent, Susannah’s son Caleb needs specialized care after experiencing a traumatic brain injury. The family’s health insurance plan doesn’t cover that care, but Medicaid for children helps pay for that access until he turns 19. Caring for those who are most vulnerable is taught in the gospel and Medicaid Expansion makes that care more accessible and affordable to all Mississippians, especially those who need it most.

Jesse is a father, a husband of 20 years, and a U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq under the 214th Fires Brigade. Jesse is also an advocate for closing the coverage gap because he believes that it is time for Alabama to take a step forward and make health care available to everyone who calls Alabama home. He is proof that closing the coverage gap will positively impact the health and vitality of Alabama!

Rev. Manuel B. Williams, C.R., CFRE, M.Div., Th.M., has served as Director of Resurrection Catholic Missions of the South, Inc. and Pastor of Resurrection Catholic Church in Montgomery, Alabama since July of 1990. 

Fisher Humphreys served as Interim Preacher at Auburn First Baptist in 2012-2013. He is Professor of Divinity, Emeritus, at Samford University. In retirement he serves as Residential Scholar at St. Mary’s-on- the-Highlands Episcopal Church in Birmingham and as chairman of the board of Christian Ethics Today.

Rev. Carolyn Foster of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Birmingham, Greater Birmingham Ministries, and the Alabama chapter of the Poor People’s Campaign. She is a Member of the Board of Directors for Alabama Arise, the state’s lead organization for the Medicaid expansion coalition). Reverend Foster is a passionate advocate for Medicaid expansion.