Dariya Walker Speaks Up for Medicaid in Washington, D.C.
Thursday, June 4, 2026
On Thursday, April 16, Community Health Commission of Missouri (CHCM) Medicaid storyteller Dariya Walker spoke at “DWC x Future Forum Roundtable: Gen Z at the Table,” hosted by the Democratic Women’s Caucus and Future Forum in Washington, D.C.
The roundtable brought together members of Congress and young people from across the country to discuss the opportunity economy, entering the workforce, affordability, and what Gen Z needs to build a stable future.
Dariya, an 18-year-old high school senior from Florissant, Missouri, shared how Medicaid supports her health, her independence, and her dreams for the future. As a lifelong dancer preparing for college and adulthood, Dariya spoke about what it means to have stable health coverage while beginning to manage her own care and plan for what comes next.
“What I’m asking is simple. Keep the coverage that keeps communities like mine healthy, stable, and moving forward.”
Her remarks reminded members of Congress that Medicaid is not just a health care program. For young people like Dariya, it is part of the foundation that makes it possible to stay healthy, pursue education, enter the workforce, and move toward long-term goals.
Dariya’s mom, Shanelle Woods, joined her in Washington, D.C. for the round table and a visit with the office of U.S. Senator Josh Hawley. As a mother navigating chronic health needs and healthcare instability while raising a family, Shanelle brought her own lived experience an advocate for Medicaid coverage. Speaking to policymakers in D.C. gave her the opportunity to share how decisions about Medicaid show up in real life, from managing appointments and coverage uncertainty to making sure families can keep accessing the care they need.
In a reflection on the visit, Shanelle shared that the trip opened her eyes even more to how connected families’ stories are, especially when it comes to health care access. Hearing from others and watching Dariya speak reminded her how much families carry when they are asked to bring their stories into policy spaces, and how important it is that leaders listen.
“Walking into those rooms and watching my daughter use her voice lit a fire in me.”
At CHCM, we are proud to see Missouri storytellers like Dariya and Shanelle bring their lived experiences directly to policymakers. Their voice helped show why protecting Medicaid matters not only for individual health, but for the stability and future of families and communities across Missouri.
