Michigan Hospice Nurse Highlights Shutdown's Impact on Health Care

Healthcare Crisis Intensifies Amid Government Shutdown

FLINT, Mich. – Julie Campbell-Inman, a dedicated hospice nurse, finds her work increasingly challenging due to recent Medicaid and Medicare cuts, compounded by a federal government shutdown. For her, the job extends beyond the realm of death, focusing instead on life and dignity as she supports families through their most difficult times.

With over two decades of experience, Campbell-Inman, a member of AFSCME Local 875, currently provides home care for up to 14 families through McLaren Health Care. Her role involves managing pain, assisting with bureaucratic processes, and coordinating with various professionals to ensure comprehensive care for her patients.

The majority of those she assists rely heavily on Medicaid and Medicare for access to essential health services. However, recent reductions in these programs threaten the availability of care for these vulnerable individuals.

“We see when people cannot afford insurance, they wait until they are critically ill,” Campbell-Inman explains. “Instead of a simple infection being treated, it becomes life-threatening. And with cuts, it is only getting worse. Our emergency rooms are overrun.”

Campbell-Inman highlights the personal impact of these cuts, noting that her own son, despite being employed, depends on Medicaid for basic health needs such as dental care, migraine medication, and routine check-ups.

“It just breaks my heart that in a country with so many billionaires, they are that stingy that they do not even want to help another human being,” she laments, as she criticizes the political maneuvers leading to the current shutdown. She argues that the government is prioritizing tax benefits for the wealthy over essential health services.

The repercussions are acute for workers like Campbell-Inman and the families they aid. “Our elderly and young people are the ones hurt most by these cuts,” she says. “Families cannot take care of their parents or grandparents while also holding down jobs. People need to remember who their representatives are supposed to serve. It should not be billionaires. It should be the people.”

Finding herself increasingly drawn into politics, Campbell-Inman observes a growing awareness among the public about the implications of these policy decisions. “I was not political for most of my life,” she said. “But I see now how much these decisions affect everyone, every single day.”

Advocates like Campbell-Inman and other AFSCME members are raising their voices, insisting that healthcare and public services need to remain a priority, ensuring that families can care for their loved ones without fearing financial ruin or compromised health.