COLUMN: Judge not

I grew up in a low-income family. Both of my parents, born during the Great Depression, worked full-time as hourly employees and raised us as proud farming families.

My dad was a Korean War veteran. When my sister was born, Dad didn’t have $50 for the hospital bill. The local banker refused to loan him the money. Mom’s parents did.

Mom waitressed and cooked in a café, 8 hours a day, five days a week. Dad had several different jobs over the years. He was a mechanic, delivered milk for Meadow Gold, did auto body work and was a mail carrier. He also rebuilt vehicles in the garage adjacent to the house for extra income.

The only home I remember didn’t have indoor plumbing or hot water until I was in 8th grade. I was embarrassed. Some friends found it a novelty. I rarely had friends stay in the winter.

Mom and a friend raised a huge vegetable and strawberry garden every year. My job was to wash (not pick) produce. She canned or froze our fruits and vegetables. The majority was sold and delivered to Villisca residents long before farmers’ markets were cool to make extra money.

Grandpa gave us a bottle calf or two every few years that were fed and processed at the local locker so there was meat in the freezer.

Our clothes were homemade except for Easter and prom dresses. There was a strict budget on what could be afforded. The sale rack was our option.

Minimum hourly wage in Iowa in the 60’s and 70’s weren’t always followed. They were small employers and no unions. There wasn’t room for vacations, extras, dance lessons or contributions for college tuition.

I knew from an early age, that money was an issue in our family. I listened to them fighting after my sister and I went to bed. I never went hungry. Mom said that food was less expensive than doctor’s bills. I was aware of our fragile financial status.

My point is perspective. If you haven’t experienced family stress caused by low-income, you may not understand the fear involved. Worrying about feeding your family, paying rent or car payments, insurance or experiencing government assistance may not be your life experience.

Judge not.

I haven’t forgotten their fights or taken my current blessings for granted.

Judge not.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits were impacted by the government shutdown. Approximately 130,000 Iowa households or nearly 270,000 receive SNAP.

Two-thirds of the households include around 100,000 children. The families will need to rely on already stressed local food banks and churches for food.

Judge not.

As of June 2025, approximately 669,456 Iowans are covered by Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program or CHIP. 183,000 adults are covered by ACA Medicaid expansion.

Children are two in five, or 40%, of enrollees. About 77% of adult Medicaid enrollees are working. People 65+ or with disabilities are 17% of the enrollees utilizing 51% of the spending. Statistics are from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Judge not.

Medicaid reductions and expiration of enhanced premium tax credits for ACA subsidies will impact insurance costs and rate increases. The “Big Beautiful Bill” passed and signed on July 4 reduced benefits to give tax breaks to billionaires but impacted vulnerable populations.

“They work the system,” rings out when talking about individuals receiving SNAP or Medicaid. There may be isolated examples but it’s not first-hand information.

It’s not time for judgement, but help. If you have been blessed, give a helping hand to neighbors. No judging.

Someday it might be you needing a hand. Circumstances can change in an instant. Who will help?