Ashley Oolman

Former Medical Assistance enrollee 

Ashley leads the State of Minnesota’s efforts to develop, support, and implement policies and practices that advance equity, opportunity and accessibility. Her work has been featured on podcasts and blogs, and she has keynoted several state and national conferences. Ashley earned a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration on human resource management, a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in human development and family studies, and a certification in organizational diversity and inclusion.

“For me, messing with Medicaid is personal. Medicaid is the reason I was able to be born safely to a runaway. Medicaid connected my teenage mom to education and supports to promote my wellness during my formative years. Medicaid covered the meds I needed to remain in school after a late ADHD and missed OCD diagnosis. Medicaid covered treatment after an assault in college.”

“No one should have to live through life’s most challenging circumstances, with nowhere to turn for support. As a famous Minnesotan, late Sen. Paul Wellstone, once said: ‘We all do better when we all do better.’ When all people are valued, feel welcomed and supported, and receive fair treatment including equal access to opportunities, everyone benefits.”