Justin Smith Writes

Meet the Finalists of the 2026 Minnesota Book Awards - The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library Meet the Finalists of the 2026 Minnesota Book Awards Saturday, March 21 | 10:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. George Latimer Central Library | 90 W. Fourth Street, Saint Paul Free and…

Super excited for this event on March 21st to hear from MN Book Award finalists! thefriends.org/event/meet-t...
#Minnesota

Thanks @crooked.com & @leahlitman.bsky.social! People with disabilities & others needing Medicaid are now political pawns in a game that we didn’t ask to be a part of. I’m so tired of this BS that’s making me fear that the care I need to live could disappear. justinsmithwrites.com/2026/03/01/i...

I. Can’t. Even. We have been over this before: fraud = terrible. Don’t do it! So imagine what a surprise it was Thursday when I realized I had gotten a chat from my mother saying Vice President JD Vance and Direct…

Thanks @crooked.com @leahlitman.bsky.social ! People with disabilities & others needing Medicaid, are being used as political pawns in a game that we didn’t ask to be a part of. I’m so tired of this BS that’s making me fear that the care I need could disappear. justinsmithwrites.com/2026/03/01/i...

Thanks to my @ag.state.mn.us! Using me and others with disabilities as pawns in this game is just plain wrong. justinsmithwrites.com/2026/03/01/i...
#ProtectMedicaid

Thanks for sharing!

Nope - he's attacking me and other Minnesotans with disabilities that depend on Medicaid to survive! It’s important to have measures in place to protect government funds AND let’s make sure that people who need care aren't being harmed in the process! justinsmithwrites.com/2026/03/01/i...

I. Can’t. Even. We have been over this before: fraud = terrible. Don’t do it! So imagine what a surprise it was Thursday when I realized I had gotten a chat from my mother saying Vice President JD Vance and Direct…

Right @lollardfish.bsky.social? Without Medicaid, I can’t even imagine what my life would look like.
I. Can’t. Even. Go. There.
justinsmithwrites.com/2026/03/01/i...

I. Can’t. Even. We have been over this before: fraud = terrible. Don’t do it! So imagine what a surprise it was Thursday when I realized I had gotten a chat from my mother saying Vice President JD Vance and Direct…

@jbf1755.bsky.social Who knew that I'd be one of the "unlikables?" People with disabilities are being used as political pawns in a game that we didn’t ask to be a part of. justinsmithwrites.com/2026/03/01/i...

I. Can’t. Even. We have been over this before: fraud = terrible. Don’t do it! So imagine what a surprise it was Thursday when I realized I had gotten a chat from my mother saying Vice President JD Vance and Direct…

Thanks @peggyflanagan.bsky.social! People with disabilities and others who depend on Medicaid, are being used as political pawns in a game that we didn’t ask to be a part of. justinsmithwrites.com/2026/03/01/i...

I. Can’t. Even. We have been over this before: fraud = terrible. Don’t do it! So imagine what a surprise it was Thursday when I realized I had gotten a chat from my mother saying Vice President JD Vance and Direct…

The Medicaid services I depend on, are being bulldozed when really, politicians just need to focus on fixing the actual problem without harming those of us who need Medicaid to literally survive! justinsmithwrites.com/2026/03/01/i...

More about what's happening with disability services in MN in @lollardfish.bsky.social post. Here's my latest blog about how it's impacting people like me who need these services: justinsmithwrites.com/2026/01/18/i...

Is it enough yet? Well, this has been a heavy couple of weeks here in Minnesota. Medicaid funding Starting with this one because it feels as if it’s getting lost in all of our ICE-y news from Minnesota. I was at a n…

On Wednesday, I went to a news conference where families & state leaders spoke out about the real‑world harm that will be caused by the federal government withholding $2B in federal Medicaid funding from MN. Learn more on my blog. @startribune.com @kstptv.bsky.social @fox9mn.bsky.social #disability

"It’s important to go after the fraud but don’t let the reasons these programs exist and the humans that need this care get lost in the process." Important blog post from my son @justinsmithwrites.bsky.social
#Medicaid #Minnesota @lollardfish.bsky.social

Our son depends on 24-hour care to live independently. That is now in jeopardy because payments are being delayed. We are figuring out if he can return to his home & if his staff will work without pay. His precarious Jenga tower of services is falling down around him...This is beyond a disaster!

It's important to go after the Medicaid fraud but don't let the reasons these programs exist and people with disabilities - like me - who need this care get lost in the process.
@governorwalz.mn.gov @senjohnmarty.bsky.social @davidformn40b.bsky.social
justinsmithwrites.com/2025/12/21/r...

Oh SNAP Part 2: To have or have not? How has my week been? It’s been all: Yes, I’ll get my November SNAP benefits. No, I won’t. Yes, maybe a bit. No, not at all. Yes, of course, because Minnesota is nice. No, wait a minute – wil…

How has my week been? It's been all:
Yes, I’ll get my November #SNAP benefits.
No, I won’t.
Yes, maybe a bit.
No, not at all.
Yes, of course, because Minnesota is nice.
No, wait a minute – will it get clawed back?

Definitely read my latest blog! justinsmithwrites.com/2025/11/09/o...

Oh SNAP Part 2: To have or have not? How has my week been? It’s been all: Yes, I’ll get my November SNAP benefits. No, I won’t. Yes, maybe a bit. No, not at all. Yes, of course, because Minnesota is nice. No, wait a minute – wil…

Thank you Senator Smith for fighting for people who need food! It's been a week and I'm proud to have you as my Senator! justinsmithwrites.com/2025/11/09/o...

Oh, SNAP It’s hard to stay positive this week and you all know that I’m a positive person – give me a road block and I’ll plow right through it. I’ll advocate. I’ll testi…

Oh, #SNAP! It's one of the critical services I need to help me live my own independent life. justinsmithwrites.com/2025/11/02/o...

Thanks for fighting for me @smith.senate.gov! We need SNAP AND we need affordable healthcare!

Government shutdown will soon impact SNAP benefits, USDA says YouTube video by CBS Mornings

Not only does SNAP keep people from going hungry, it's another lifeline for people with disabilities, rural communities, and more! youtu.be/NzD4KQ1zIOc?...

DONE! (WITH THE FIRST DRAFT) Time to pop the champagne! Oh, wait, I don’t drink alcohol! At three minutes before eleven o’clock last night, in a big rush, I finished the first draft of the book I have been working on for the p…

Celebrate! 🎉At three minutes before eleven o’clock last night, in a big rush, I finished the first draft of the book I have been working on for the past year. #WritersLife #Writer #WritingCommunity #Booksky justinsmithwrites.com/2025/10/26/d...

Keep fighting for what's right, Amy! I need SNAP benefits. I worry about others with disabilities living on SSI who also need SNAP benefits! The Administration is not choosing wisely!

I recently convened a panel of Minnesota's top healthcare experts to discuss how Trump's Big Ugly Law is harming Minnesotans' care and leading to hospital closures. In DC, I'll continue to oppose all Republican efforts to take away food, healthcare, and basic government services.

Thank you Representative McCollum! It was amazing to share my story at this listening session!

This happened… Last Friday, I was contacted by Representative Betty McCollum’s Office to be part of a panel that happened yesterday to talk about the impacts of HR1 on Medicaid and our healthcare system. I,…

This happened! I spoke at Rep. McCollum's Listening Session about the impacts to Medicaid & our healthcare yesterday. Thanks @mccollum.house.gov for inviting me to share my story. Here's my testimony and the recording - justinsmithwrites.com/2025/09/25/t...
#Medicaid #Disability #Healthcare

Newsy stuff Do something! Write a letter to the editor, go to a rally (yes, I was at the No King’s March in St. Paul on Saturday), call your elected officials at all levels (County Commissioners will be …

Share this post! #savemedicaid #disability @mccollum.house.gov @smith.senate.gov @amyklobuchar.com
justinsmithwrites.com/2025/06/18/n...

Minnesotans with disabilities feared state balancing budget “on our backs.” Here’s what happened. Legislators looked to services for people with disabilities and seniors to save costs, but didn’t go as far as some thought they might.

“The need for care does not go away when funding gets decreased or disappears. It just means that those of us with disabilities and our families will struggle more than we already do.” says @justinsmithwrites.bsky.social

www.startribune.com/minnesotans-...

#Disability #DisabilityRights #Medicaid

Thanks for being my awesome Representative and doing what you can to protect the programs I need to live in my community! @mccollum.house.gov

Justin Smith is a 26-year-old Roseville resident who has cerebral palsy, and he relies on Medicaid and SNAP to live independently. President Trump’s Big Ugly Bill would rip away his health care and food assistance to give tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires.

Oh, and The Kids Aren't Alright by The Offspring