Embedded in the very foundation of our laws is the belief that disabled Americans are a burden; that's why we condition receipt of programs like Medicaid & SSI on crushing poverty & why we keep millions of disabled Americans from marrying.

We deserve a legally valid marriage

If we were to be legally married, I would lose both SSI & Medicaid. I have both because the @SocialSecurity Administration, despite being incredibly hostile to young disabled claimants, determined I did, in fact, meet their very high bar for disability.

Unsurprising, since...

But what you don't see in those particular photos? @Cosetthetable by my side, always. Sleeping in a hospital chair whenever I was inpatient. Fighting for adequate pain control. Keeping track of attendings & residents & med students. Keeping me safe.

We’ve been together for over a decade.

I am extraordinarily lucky.

...just extraordinarily lucky.

"means testing" is a jargony way of saying that in order to qualify for a program, you have to meet income limits and/or asset limits.

For example, the asset limit for SSI is $2k for an individual and $3k for a married couple.

In the Medicaid context, the income and asset rules are so byzantine as to be almost incomprehensible.

Medicaid is the only way the vast majority* of disabled folks who need long-term services & supports can get them.

*basically anyone who doesn't have $25M+

Trying to convince others in the policy world that this matters — that you believe disabled people, like @cosetthetable & I, across this country deserve the right to marry.

Thank you for your support.

My love deserves the security of a legally recognized marriage, the kind of legal arrangement that's given full faith and credit in every state of this country https://twitter.com/cosetthetable/status/1189608477557252096?s=20

I am, and I cannot stress this enough, an excellent, highly competent, on-the-ground healthcare lawyer.

If we'd had to pay an attorney for the things we've done? It would have cost tens of thousands of dollars. https://twitter.com/cosetthetable/status/1189609886801448960?s=20

@cosetthetable is absolutely right

And it's also worth pointing out that I am fairly routinely mistaken for medical staff. https://twitter.com/cosetthetable/status/1189610990784126976?s=20

And, likewise, while we've made the decision to publicly discuss these issues, many cannot. https://twitter.com/cosetthetable/status/1189612206511579136?s=20