Today, advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) came from across the Lower Hudson Valley to deliver a message to Rep. Mike Lawler, urging him to protect Medicaid and highlighting how looming cuts would harm the nearly 7 million New Yorkers, including working families, cancer patients and survivors, people with disabilities, seniors, veterans and children, who receive lifesaving care through Medicaid.
Federal lawmakers have proposed slashing up to $880 billion from Medicaid over the next decade. Such devastating cuts would put essential health services at risk for millions
of people nationwide and for the more than 6.7 million New Yorkers who rely on Medicaid for lifesaving health care --including prescriptions for limited-income seniors, kids receiving cancer treatment and prenatal care for expecting mothers.
Recently, Rep. Lawler joined 12 other members of Congress in signing a letter to House leadership about the importance of Medicaid. In the coming weeks, Rep. Lawler needs to stand up for the health of his constituents, as he says in this letter, by voting against any cuts to Medicaid that come to the House floor. A cut of any kind will severely limit millions of New Yorkers’ access to health insurance and, for some, it will strip their coverage entirely.
Cancer survivors in Rep. Lawler’s district, including ovarian cancer survivor Marcia Earle of Ossining, are urging Rep. Lawler to stand by his commitment to protect the Medicaid program. “I’d like for lawmakers, like Rep. Lawler, to ask themselves: what does it mean to be on Medicaid as a cancer patient? Or a single mother who, if not for Medicaid expansion, would have no other affordable option for health insurance? Or the diabetic veteran?” said Earle. “The proposed cuts to Medicaid mean taking away access to care, which, for too many New Yorkers, could cost them the food on their table, roof over their head or their lives. We urge Rep. Lawler and every member of the New York congressional delegation to reject any cuts to Medicaid in any form.”
ACS CAN will continue to oppose any cuts to Medicaid and advocate for affordable, quality healthcare for all New Yorkers. Learn more at fightcancer.org/new-york.
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) makes cancer a top priority for policymakers at every level of government. ACS CAN empowers volunteers across the country to make their voices heard to influence evidence-based public policy change that improves the lives of people with cancer and their families. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, find, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We’re more determined than ever to stand together with our volunteers to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.