Justin Smith Writes

More about what's happening with disability services in MN in @lollardfish.bsky.social post. Here's my latest blog about how it's impacting people like me who need these services: justinsmithwrites.com/2026/01/18/i...

Is it enough yet? Well, this has been a heavy couple of weeks here in Minnesota. Medicaid funding Starting with this one because it feels as if it’s getting lost in all of our ICE-y news from Minnesota. I was at a n…

On Wednesday, I went to a news conference where families & state leaders spoke out about the real‑world harm that will be caused by the federal government withholding $2B in federal Medicaid funding from MN. Learn more on my blog. @startribune.com @kstptv.bsky.social @fox9mn.bsky.social #disability

"It’s important to go after the fraud but don’t let the reasons these programs exist and the humans that need this care get lost in the process." Important blog post from my son @justinsmithwrites.bsky.social
#Medicaid #Minnesota @lollardfish.bsky.social

Our son depends on 24-hour care to live independently. That is now in jeopardy because payments are being delayed. We are figuring out if he can return to his home & if his staff will work without pay. His precarious Jenga tower of services is falling down around him...This is beyond a disaster!

It's important to go after the Medicaid fraud but don't let the reasons these programs exist and people with disabilities - like me - who need this care get lost in the process.
@governorwalz.mn.gov @senjohnmarty.bsky.social @davidformn40b.bsky.social
justinsmithwrites.com/2025/12/21/r...

Oh SNAP Part 2: To have or have not? How has my week been? It’s been all: Yes, I’ll get my November SNAP benefits. No, I won’t. Yes, maybe a bit. No, not at all. Yes, of course, because Minnesota is nice. No, wait a minute – wil…

How has my week been? It's been all:
Yes, I’ll get my November #SNAP benefits.
No, I won’t.
Yes, maybe a bit.
No, not at all.
Yes, of course, because Minnesota is nice.
No, wait a minute – will it get clawed back?

Definitely read my latest blog! justinsmithwrites.com/2025/11/09/o...

Oh SNAP Part 2: To have or have not? How has my week been? It’s been all: Yes, I’ll get my November SNAP benefits. No, I won’t. Yes, maybe a bit. No, not at all. Yes, of course, because Minnesota is nice. No, wait a minute – wil…

Thank you Senator Smith for fighting for people who need food! It's been a week and I'm proud to have you as my Senator! justinsmithwrites.com/2025/11/09/o...

Oh, SNAP It’s hard to stay positive this week and you all know that I’m a positive person – give me a road block and I’ll plow right through it. I’ll advocate. I’ll testi…

Oh, #SNAP! It's one of the critical services I need to help me live my own independent life. justinsmithwrites.com/2025/11/02/o...

Thanks for fighting for me @smith.senate.gov! We need SNAP AND we need affordable healthcare!

YouTube video by CBS Mornings Government shutdown will soon impact SNAP benefits, USDA says

Not only does SNAP keep people from going hungry, it's another lifeline for people with disabilities, rural communities, and more! youtu.be/NzD4KQ1zIOc?...

DONE! (WITH THE FIRST DRAFT) Time to pop the champagne! Oh, wait, I don’t drink alcohol! At three minutes before eleven o’clock last night, in a big rush, I finished the first draft of the book I have been working on for the p…

Celebrate! 🎉At three minutes before eleven o’clock last night, in a big rush, I finished the first draft of the book I have been working on for the past year. #WritersLife #Writer #WritingCommunity #Booksky justinsmithwrites.com/2025/10/26/d...

Keep fighting for what's right, Amy! I need SNAP benefits. I worry about others with disabilities living on SSI who also need SNAP benefits! The Administration is not choosing wisely!

I recently convened a panel of Minnesota's top healthcare experts to discuss how Trump's Big Ugly Law is harming Minnesotans' care and leading to hospital closures. In DC, I'll continue to oppose all Republican efforts to take away food, healthcare, and basic government services.

Thank you Representative McCollum! It was amazing to share my story at this listening session!

This happened… Last Friday, I was contacted by Representative Betty McCollum’s Office to be part of a panel that happened yesterday to talk about the impacts of HR1 on Medicaid and our healthcare system. I,…

This happened! I spoke at Rep. McCollum's Listening Session about the impacts to Medicaid & our healthcare yesterday. Thanks @mccollum.house.gov for inviting me to share my story. Here's my testimony and the recording - justinsmithwrites.com/2025/09/25/t...
#Medicaid #Disability #Healthcare

Newsy stuff Do something! Write a letter to the editor, go to a rally (yes, I was at the No King’s March in St. Paul on Saturday), call your elected officials at all levels (County Commissioners will be …

Share this post! #savemedicaid #disability @mccollum.house.gov @smith.senate.gov @amyklobuchar.com
justinsmithwrites.com/2025/06/18/n...

Minnesotans with disabilities feared state balancing budget “on our backs.” Here’s what happened. Legislators looked to services for people with disabilities and seniors to save costs, but didn’t go as far as some thought they might.

“The need for care does not go away when funding gets decreased or disappears. It just means that those of us with disabilities and our families will struggle more than we already do.” says @justinsmithwrites.bsky.social

www.startribune.com/minnesotans-...

#Disability #DisabilityRights #Medicaid

Thanks for being my awesome Representative and doing what you can to protect the programs I need to live in my community! @mccollum.house.gov

Justin Smith is a 26-year-old Roseville resident who has cerebral palsy, and he relies on Medicaid and SNAP to live independently. President Trump’s Big Ugly Bill would rip away his health care and food assistance to give tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires.

Oh, and The Kids Aren't Alright by The Offspring

The American Dream is Killing Me, Green Day

WEMBLEY!!! @afcwimbledon1889.bsky.social #afcw #COYD

A Fair Amount of Stress and a Win It has been a very stressful time in my life as of late and it was important to me that I share my story with reporter, Bobbi Dempsey, for this article in ChangeWire. Check it out and please share …

It has been a very stressful time in my life as of late and it was important to me that I share my story with ChangeWire. Check it out and please share with others! As I’ve said often of late, the fear is real!
justinsmithwrites.com/2025/05/04/a...

#Medicaid #Housing #SNAP #SSI #DisabilityRights

100-Day Check-In: Stressful Times for Those in Safety Net Programs - Changewire People who rely on programs like SNAP and Medicaid share how they feel about this presidential administration so far – and what they worry about most now

Thanks @bobbidempsey.bsky.social for sharing my son's story. “Between threatened cuts to services at both the federal & state levels, to put it bluntly, as a person with cerebral palsy, I’m beyond frightened,” says @justinsmithwrites.bsky.social.
#Medicaid #SSI #SNAP
changewire.org/100-day-chec...

Alien Enemy Registration card for August Schulze from 1918

Black and white headshot of August Schulze with thumbprint from alien enemies registration card.

Here's my great-great G'pa's Alien Enemy Registration Card from 1918 found tucked away in my great-great G'ma's German Bible a century later. He immigrated to the US in 1905, started a family business in 1912 that lasted almost a century. Can't believe the Alien Enemies Act is being used today!

I'm one of the lucky 1/4 of eligible families who has a housing voucher to help pay rent for my wheelchair accessible apartment. Without it, I will be forced to move. My life as I know it will fall apart without a housing voucher, SSI, and Medicaid.

I'm one of those lucky 1/4 of eligible who has a housing voucher to help pay rent for my wheelchair accessible apartment. Without it, I will be forced to move. @smith.senate.gov my life as I know it will fall apart if I don't have a housing voucher, SSI, Medicaid, and SNAP.

Medicaid = my healthcare and disability services that help me live in my community.

I have a disability and don't play video games all day... I depend on Medicaid to help me live in my community. I fell off Medicaid for 3 weeks this year because my county was behind in renewals. Who's going to be managing and overseeing all these new work requirements? #HandsOff #ProtectMedicaid

Hands Off! Making my voice heard at Hands Off rally at the MN State Capitol!

Guess where I was yesterday? Hanging out with about 25,000 energetic Minnesotans at our state capitol in St. Paul! @indivistwincities.bsky.social #HandsOff @50501movement.bsky.social @amyklobuchar.com @mccollum.house.gov @mn50501.bsky.social
justinsmithwrites.com/2025/04/06/h...