WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nov. 13, 2026 – Today, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced in a letter to State Medicaid Directors that they would allow a six-month delay in coverage terminations or denials connected to work requirements during which time enrollees can remain insured through the Medicaid program. The following is a statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in response to the announcement:
“On behalf of cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones, ACS CAN is pleased to hear that states have been given the option to delay terminations or denials of coverage associated with Medicaid work requirements. Erecting barriers to accessing health insurance coverage is life-threatening for cancer patients, survivors and all those at risk of developing the disease. We strongly urge all states to take this opportunity to minimize the harm these requirements will inflict and better ensure individuals who remain eligible for the program do not lose coverage by mistake – a mistake that could cost cancer patients their lives.
“Health insurance is one of the most significant factors in whether someone survives a cancer diagnosis. For many, Medicaid is their only affordable, quality health insurance option. A survey of cancer survivors conducted by ACS CAN shows that cancer causes the overwhelming majority – 90% of respondents – to miss work, school or volunteer work. With frequently changing rules and guidance related to implementation of these work requirements, a cancer patient’s path to an exception is very uncertain. It’s imperative that states opt to delay terminations and denials until proper systems are in place to protect individuals’ lifesaving coverage. Continuing with the current work requirement implementation timeline will mean more suffering and death from cancer.
“While CMS offering states a six-month delay in coverage terminations and denials is encouraging, ACS CAN is urging Congress to take action quickly to fully delay work requirements in all states for the next two years and reverse the detrimental impacts of these changes in the longer term. In the meantime, ACS CAN will continue to engage policymakers and government agencies at the federal and state level to minimize the harm of these new requirements.”
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