ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: Republicans in Congress are considering $880 billion worth of federal spending cuts, which Democrats say will impact Medicaid funding.

Two Virginia women are calling on congressional leaders to protect the program.

JEANNE ROBINSON: I guess this is my calling in life.

ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: Henrico resident Jeanne Robinson spent her career in social work.

JEANNE ROBINSON: I really loved being a social worker and I started out to be an advocate for the children.

As the time went on, I ended up being an advocate for abused women and senior citizens.

ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: During COVID, she decided to retire to care for her youngest grandson, who has Down syndrome.

JEANNE ROBINSON: I took a big cut from $40 an hour to $13 to take care of Malcolm.

To me, thats worth it for me, its my family.

ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: During the week, she watches the seven-year-old after school.

She gets paid through Medicaid, which he qualifies for because of his disability.

JEANNE ROBBINSON: I want to make sure he has a life like everybody else, and fairly treated and can progress like everybody else.

ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: Earlier this month, Robinson took her advocacy to Capitol Hill.

Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan invited her to attend President Trump's joint address to Congress.

JEANNE ROBINSON: I got to meet people, and also I got to represent and speak up for my grandson and also for people on Medicare and Medicaid.

ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: Robinson worries funding changes could impact her grandson's care.

JEANNE ROBINSON: I know the end results when people don't have those resources.

ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: Another Richmond area advocate is also speaking out against possible cuts to federal health coverage.

KATINA MOSS: I am one of the more than 630,000 Virginians who will be kicked off Medicaid if Republicans in Congress get their way.

ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: Katina Moss joined Democrats on the steps of the Capitol to share her story about Medicaid.

KATINA MOSS: As a Gen Xer with elderly parents, Medicaid supports my family's well-being.

ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON; After spending a decade as an educator, Moss was preparing to launch her own business when her mom fell ill. KATINA MOSS: My mother had a major health event.

Supposed to be one surgery, and it ended up being three.

And she left the hospital in a wheelchair, having to learn at 77-years-old how to walk again.

ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: Now a job helping to run a local florist and gift shop gives her the flexibility she needs to care for her family.

It's a familiar role for Moss.

As a former youth minister and high school teacher, she's dedicated her life to caring for others.

KATINA MOSS: And I had made very conscious decisions that my skill set was going to be for the purpose of helping youth to develop, knowing that I could have earned more someplace else.

ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: But when money got tight, she had a hard time accepting help.

KATINA MOSS: I had to coach myself on, you know, it's okay that you need public support when your career has supported the public.

ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: Eventually, she signed up for Medicaid through expansion, which allows adults up to a certain income level to qualify for coverage.

KATINA MOSS: I don't plan on, you know, needing Medicaid forever but while I do need it, it is an absolute relief that I can have it.

ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: As a recipient of Medicaid through Virginia's expansion of the program, Moss is one of the hundreds of thousands of Virginians most at risk for losing coverage.

KATINA MOSS: Virginia is one of nine states with automatic trigger language that says if the federal government goes back on its promise and reduces funding for Medicaid expansion even by 1%, then the entire program ends and everyone in the expansion population loses our health care.

ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: Both Moss and Robinson say they will continue to advocate against Medicaid cuts as Congress considers future federal funding bills.

JEANNE ROBINSON: So until I close my eyes, I'm going to be an advocate for whoever needs it.

ADRIENNE HOAR McGBBON: Adrienne Hoar McGibbon, VPM News.