Aaron Celebrated his 2nd Birthday Because of Medicaid

April Eaves lives in Rutherford County with her husband, Jason, and three children, Emery, Avery, and Aaron. Before becoming pregnant with her youngest, Aaron, April led a life much like many other Tennessee families. She was an active churchgoer, a dedicated member of the Parent-Teacher Organization, a supportive cheerleader at her daughters’ sports games, and full-time employee at an insurance company. 

Everything changed eleven weeks into her pregnancy with Aaron. A routine prenatal test revealed April’s unborn baby boy was at high risk for Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards syndrome— a random and severe genetic condition caused by an extra copy of chromosome 18. Only about 10% of babies diagnosed with the condition survive to birth, and even fewer live past their first year. The chromosomal abnormality leads to significant developmental issues, including low birth weight and multiple birth defects. 

Shortly after his birth, Aaron was also diagnosed with liver cancer. Thanks to timely surgery and care, he is now in remission. TennCare Medicaid saved Aaron’s life and allowed him to outlive his diagnosis: “His cancer journey was only three months long because of Medicaid’s help as Aaron’s secondary insurance,” April shares. Aaron has undergone major surgery and three rounds of chemotherapy. He relies on a feeding tube, tracheostomy, and ventilator to survive. He is non-verbal, developmentally delayed, and immunocompromised. 

April calls Aaron her “gift from God.” Despite his medical challenges, Aaron radiates love. “There is no love greater than Aaron’s,” April says. “He has no learned hate or judgment. He just loves.” Today, Aaron is two and a half years old. 

April’s private insurance only covers four months of the private duty nursing care that keeps Aaron alive. TennCare pays for the remaining eight months of the year. Without Medicaid, April says she would be forced to give up her job, her home, or Aaron’s care entirely: “No income level can cover these costs alone,” she explains. April has become a fierce advocate for Medicaid and protecting Aaron. “Cutting programs like TennCare won’t make our healthcare system better,” April says. “It will make it more broken. And it will leave families like mine with nowhere to turn.”