Melissa Baker has always been a fighter. She was born three and a half months early fighting for her life with an umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. Forty years later, she fights for the rights of people with disabilities.

Melissa is a licensed social worker and has been advocating for people with disabilities in regards to Medicaid Buy-In (MBI). This program would allow people with disabilities to work without losing their health insurance.

“It’s more cost effective for persons with disabilities who want to work to be able to do so then to have the taxpayer pay [them] to sit at home and not be a productive part of the work force,” Melissa said.

With the help of Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential (LEAP), Melissa testified before the Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee on May 31, 2007 in support of MBI.

Melissa shared a story of a woman who had to choose between keeping her job and losing her Medicaid health insurance.

It was her story. Melissa has cerebral palsy.

“It put a face to the situation,” Melissa said.

With the help of Melissa’s, LEAP’s and other organization’s tireless advocacy, the bill was signed into law in June, 2007.

“Persons with disabilities are one of Ohio’s best untapped employment resources,” Melissa said.

January 2008 will be Melissa Baker’s “first time to be employed with out fear of any repercussions.”