Healthcare Is a Human Right with Kelly Smith, Non-Violent Medicaid Army

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), 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 remind 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.

Stay connected with NVMA on social media: Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

> Head to show notes for key episode takeaways, additional resources, and learn more about Kelly Smith who is 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.