Cassandra Holmes (Niiwin Muck-Wa Ikwe – Four Bears Woman)

Parent of a former Medical Assistance enrollee, and adopted parent to a niece on Medical Assistance

Cassie helps connect people to health insurance like Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare as a navigator. 

“I had a son [on Medicaid] who had a heart condition who had to receive an LVAD, a left ventricular assist device, which is a lot of money I could not afford. Unfortunately, he did not make it during a heart transplant … Even though I lost my son, we still had hope and we still had time with him thanks to Medicaid. He educated a lot of people on his condition.” 

“I also adopted my great nieces and my great nephew and have a set of twin nieces, and one of them has a brain shunt and a mild form of cerebral palsy … Because of Medicaid, PT, OT and all the resources she uses are covered, and she's thriving. She's so smart. Brilliant. She can speak 3 languages, she can sign. She just has a little difficulty walking, and that's being worked on with her PT … she's feeling good and … we have a future with her.” 

“We can save lives.”