Phillip Tyler

Phillip got sober with the help of Medical Assistance and now helps other Minnesotans on Medical Assistance on their recovery journeys.

“Medical Assistance has had a life-changing impact on me. After my third time being released from prison, I was battling a long history of substance use that began in my youth. With the help of Medical Assistance, I was able to access treatment, move into a transitional sober living home, and begin rebuilding my life. That support played a key role in my recovery and helped me reintegrate into society without returning to substance use or incarceration.

“I’ve been in recovery since entering treatment in 2010 and have remained free from incarceration since 2011.

“Today, I am no longer on Medical Assistance. I’m a business owner — the founder and board president of a nonprofit organization that provides resources and advocates for recovery across Minnesota. Many of the people we support rely on Medical Assistance, and for them — as it was for me — it can be the critical factor that prevents a return to addiction and incarceration.

“Medical Assistance helps me help others recover and find new ways of life.

Cuts to Medical Assistance “would be a difficult challenge and may cause lots of problems for the individuals we help — return to use incarceration or even overdose/death.”