Levi Buxman, a 12-year-old boy from Wooster, Ohio, has been learning how to be a kid again after completing treatment for leukemia in March. He and his family are relearning life without the countless appointments and medical procedures that dominated their lives for 2½ years.

Advocating for Pediatric Care

Levi and his family recently participated in Family Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., where they met with elected officials from Ohio, including Rep. Emilia Sykes, Rep. Max Miller, and Sen. Jon Husted. They advocated for the importance of pediatric-focused hospitals and Medicaid, which has been crucial in covering Levi’s medical expenses.

Levi’s mother, Lauren, emphasized the significance of pediatric hospitals, particularly for children with special needs like her son, who has Down syndrome. She praised Akron Children’s Hospital for providing child-focused care and treating her son like any other kid.

The family’s story highlights the importance of Medicaid in covering medical expenses for families with children who require extensive medical care. Levi’s family was able to receive institutional Medicaid when he was first diagnosed with leukemia, which helped cover the costs of his treatment.

Lauren expressed her gratitude for the care her son received at Akron Children’s Hospital and emphasized the need for continued support for pediatric care and Medicaid. She said, ‘No one plans for that kind of medical expense,’ and that Medicaid has been a lifesaver for their family.

Original reporting: Signal Akron — read the source article.