Healthcare Is a Human Right with Kelly Smith,Non-Violent Medicaid Army
Photo of Non-Violent Medicaid Army (courtesy of their website)
In this moment when all of our rights are under attack within the U.S., we are all fighting multiple battles simultaneously. But there is one area which unites us - health care; each of us needs it, and far too many people do not have access. I caught up with Kelly, an organizer with the Non-Violent Medicaid Army (NVMA) which is “a growing, politically independent force of the poor and dispossessed, united across identities, regions, races and issues, modeled after MLK's 'nonviolent army of the poor' from the first Poor People's Campaign of 1968.” NVMA “is not a coalition or a campaign but a network of organizations and committees that understand healthcare to be a strategic front of struggle to unite the working class,” and there are chapters across the country within Wyoming, Wisconsin, Texas, Indiana, Georgia, Massachusetts, Illinois, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Maryland and Vermont.
Throughout our time together, Kelly and I discuss her personal journey, and how liberation theology informs her activism, healthcare as a human right, the inequities within our healthcare system, and the need for collective action to address injustices while advocating for change. We also delved into the importance of community engagement and storytelling in pushing for healthcare rights, particularly through the NVMA; through #MedicaidMondays where they spotlight folks personal stories across their social media platforms (share your story by applying here). Finally, Kelly and I dived into the impact of NVMA’s National Call-In Days speaking up for Medicaid, along with the lessons they took away from last year’s National Week of Action (September 21-28, 2024). Ultimately, Kelly and all the NVMA organizers reminds us, through their daily work, that we belong to each other; and our voices are needed in the ongoing work of collective liberation. Monthly Saturday schools educate the community about Medicaid and healthcare rights. Sign up to attend Saturday, April 5, 1pm EST and watch the March 2025 session.
Some Key Takeaways -
Healthcare is a fundamental human right that should be accessible to all; NVMA aims to unite people across differences. focuses on organizing rather than just numbers. Stay connected with them on social media: Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
Monthly Saturday schools educate the community about Medicaid and healthcare rights. Sign up to attend Saturday, April 5, 1pm EST and watch the March 2025 session.
Community organizing is essential for creating transformational change.
The current healthcare system perpetuates myths about poverty and Medicaid. And managed care organizations often prioritize profits over patient care.
Activism can be a response to personal experiences with healthcare challenges.
Storytelling is a powerful tool for advocacy and change as personal stories often resonate more than statistics in advocacy efforts.
Building connections across states enhances the effectiveness of organizing.
Kelly’s spiritual spaces (we attend the same church) - Middle Church and Kairos Center
About Kelly Smith -
Kelly Smith proudly serves on the national organizing team of the Nonviolent Medicaid Army and is co-coordinator of the New York Nonviolent Medicaid Army. She previously served as Tri-chair of the NYS Poor People’s Campaign (NYSPPC), a role she held for several years. She is still involved with the Poor People’s Campaign, mentoring leaders, working with the New York City Regional Committee and serving on the NYSPPC Coordinating Committee. She is also a commissioned minister with the Freedom Church of the Poor. She previously served as a National Organizer with the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival and worked with the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights and Social Justice at Union Theological Seminary.
Prior to working with the Poor People’s Campaign, Kelly worked for 21 years as the Manager of Diversity & Inclusion at a large international law firm. She left that position in July of 2018, feeling called to get in some “good trouble” by volunteering with the Poor People’s Campaign and doing political and voter mobilization work in the months leading up to the midterm elections. Originally from Indiana, Kelly has lived in New York City since 1992. She serves as a Deacon at Middle Collegiate Church and is the proud mother of a beautiful loving neurodivergent 24-year old recent college graduate.
Kelly Smith, NVMA organizer